Juneteenth is a time for celebration in Asheville as the community gathers to reflect on the end of American slavery 159 years ago and the work for equality that continues today.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville/Buncombe County and the City of Asheville host a weeklong Juneteenth celebration. This celebration, featuring educational and festive events, is a testament to our shared commitment to honor and remember the past while striving for a more inclusive future.
2025 Events
Monday, June 16 – A Time to Yell
5:30–8:00 PM | Stephens-Lee Community Center
An evening featuring the film "A Time to Yell," followed by a discussion on the removal of Confederate monuments.
Tuesday, June 17 – Life of Julius Rosenwald
5:30–8:00 PM | Stephens-Lee Community Center
Screening of a film about Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools, accompanied by a remembrance program for the June 21, 1964, killing of Civil Rights workers Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner.
Wednesday, June 18 – Dinner & Discussion
5:30–8:00 PM | Stephens-Lee Community Center
A dinner event featuring a discussion by Sasha Mitchell on genealogical research and tracing family history.
Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration
12:00–2:00 PM | Shiloh Friendship Center
Gather for an uplifting midday celebration featuring music and community connection.
Gala & Fashion Show
6:00–9:00 PM | AB-Tech Conference Center
Celebrate Black excellence in style at this evening gala and fashion showcase.
Friday, June 20 – Downtown After 5: Juneteenth Edition
5:00–9:00 PM | Pack Square Park
Join the Asheville Downtown Association, MLK Jr. Association, and Black Wall Street for a special Juneteenth edition of Downtown After 5. The event features headliner Southern Avenue and opener DJ Phantom Pantone. Enjoy live music, food and beverage vendors, and a marketplace showcasing local artisans.
Learn More: Asheville's Black Cultural Heritage Trail
Asheville's Black Cultural Heritage Trail officially opened to the public in December 2023, allowing travelers and locals to connect with the city's rich Black history. From well-known figures like Nina Simone, who attended boarding school in Asheville (her nearby childhood home will soon be open to the public), to community landmarks like the YMI Cultural Center, one of the oldest Black community centers in America, to everyday citizens like William R. “Seabron” Saxon, who refused to give up his bus seat four years before Rosa Parks, the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail unearths intimate and fascinating stories of dignity, struggle and resilience. The trail comprises 14 stops and 20 panels across three historically significant Black neighborhoods. You can experience all the digital content here.
