This weekend packs a powerful local events lineup, with both the 2026 Juneteenth Festival (June 19-20) presented by the Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and Rochester Area Community Foundation and the opening of the 23rd annual Rochester International Jazz Festival (June 19-27).
Juneteenth is a federal holiday and known as the nation’s second independence day: on June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas (more than two years after it was enacted for most states).
For those who have Juneteenth off, there’s a variety of events taking place during Friday’s festival kickoff:
2026 Juneteenth Festival Day 1: Educating and Celebrating
Friday, June 19 | 12-5 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park
- 12 p.m. – Welcome and African Drum presentation by Mayukwa Kashiwa
- 12:05 p.m. – Elders Circle Ceremony by The Wazee
- 1:15 p.m. – Performance by Strings for Success
- 1:50 p.m. – Mentors Inspiring Boys & Girls
- 2 p.m. – The Talented Tenth
- 2:10 p.m. – Jermaine Barber
- 2:15 p.m. – Rochester Area Community Foundation President & CEO, Simeon Banister
- 2:50 p.m. – Performance by Therese Lott & Paul Boutte House Band
- 3:05 p.m. – Performance by SenojfromtheROC
- 4:05 p.m. – Garth Fagan Dance
On Saturday, Rochester native-turned-international star Danielle Ponder returns to town to headline the second day of the fest. Ponder released a new single, “Power,” (which also features Rochester’s Reenah Golden performing spoken word) earlier this week and announced she’s signed to Dead Oceans in partnership with singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. Listen to Ponder’s full June 18 interview on Connections with Evan Dawson here or watch on YouTube below.
2026 Juneteenth Festival Day 2: Parade and Festival
Saturday, June 20 | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park
- 11 a.m. – Freedom parade begins (lineup starts at 10:00 am)
- Welcome
- 12 p.m. – Proclamation by Adam Bello & Malik Evans
- 12:15 p.m. – DJ Big Reg
- 12:40 p.m. – ROC Music (Kids Band)
- Gospel Hour
- 1 p.m. – D9 Choir
- 1:15 p.m. – Jess BU
- 1:30 p.m. – Jasen Monroe & Resilient Praise
- 1:45 p.m. – Praise Break
- Entertainment
- 2 p.m. – DJ Big Reg
- 2 p.m.* – Dunwoody Dance5678
- 2:25 p.m.* – Positive Vibrations Fitness: Garden Her
- 3:15 p.m. – iGNiTe Reggae Band
- 3:50 p.m. – Paul Boutte House band
- 4:05 p.m. – Performance by Lamar The Therapist
- 5 p.m.* – Garth Fagan Dance Student Ensemble
- Community Building
- 4:25 p.m. – Community Awards
- 6 p.m. – Breakdancers Battle
- 6:20 p.m. – Live Painting Giveaway by Artist David Haygood
- Opening Act & Headliner
- 6:30 p.m. – Cinnamon Jones
- 6:55 p.m. – Danielle Ponder, announced by Mayor Malik D. Evans
The festival is open to all ages. For younger attendees, there will also be rock climbing, face painting, hair cuts, local food and vendors and free admission and parking at the Strong National Museum of Play.
If festival attendance isn’t in the cards, Black Owned in Rochester has a comprehensive list of Black businesses to support this weekend (and always). Find it here.
