Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a time to reflect on the nation’s continuing journey toward freedom, equality, and justice.
In Gettysburg, a place deeply connected to the struggle for liberty, Juneteenth offers a meaningful opportunity to gather as a community to remember the past, celebrate Black history and culture, and reflect on what freedom means today.
As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States, this year’s celebration invites visitors and residents alike to take part in programs, performances, and shared moments of reflection that honor the past while looking toward the future.
All events are free and open to the public.
Juneteenth Weekend At A Glance
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2026
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026
Juneteenth Pop-Up Market
đź“ŤRec Park
đź•“ 4:00PM – 6:00PM
Local vendors, artisans, and organizations will gather for a community pop-up market celebrating creativity, culture, and connection.
Juneteenth Commemoration at Lincoln Cemetery
đź“ŤLincoln Cemetery
🕓 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
This moving evening program honors the more than 450 members of Gettysburg’s Black community buried at Lincoln Cemetery, including Black veterans who served their country. The ceremony includes reflections on Black history, the unveiling of new historic recognition, and a candlelight illumination of the graves and Taps.
Cinema Under The Stars: Glory
đź“ŤRec Park
đź•“ 8:15PM
Bring a chair and join the community for an outdoor screening of the 1989 film Glory, which tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black regiments to serve in the Civil War.
Black History Walking Tour & Living Portraits of Freedom
đź“ŤSeminary Ridge Museum & Education Center
🕓 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Through storytelling and performance, the voices and experiences of the past are brought vividly to life. The program begins with a Black History Walking Tour (10:00–11:00 AM) across the Seminary Ridge grounds, followed by Living Portraits of Freedom (11:00 AM–2:00 PM) in Valentine Hall, where interpreters embody historical figures and share their stories through first-person storytelling and conversation.
Emancipation Proclamation Program
đź“ŤChrist Lutheran Church
🕓 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
This special program combines music, historical interpretation, and readings connected to the Emancipation Proclamation. Attendees are invited to reflect on the meaning of freedom and participate in the Juneteenth Time Capsule Project.
Allan Harris: From Spirituals to Soul—250 Years of Black Music
đź“ŤMajestic Theater
🕓 Market 5:00 PM • Show 6:30 PM
A celebration of 250 years of Black music, featuring a Black-owned business pop-up market, performances by local artists, and acclaimed jazz vocalist Allan Harris. This program takes you on a musical journey through the evolution of Black American music: from the spirituals and work songs that laid the foundation, to the blues, jazz, gospel, and soul that shaped a nation, all the way to the sounds of today. It’s a powerful, living story told through music audiences know, love, and feel.
Free event – ticket required
More Juneteenth Events in Gettysburg
Juneteenth is celebrated across the Gettysburg community through educational programs, cultural events, and gatherings hosted by local organizations and businesses.
The Juneteenth Time Capsule Project
As part of Gettysburg’s Juneteenth celebration and the nation’s America 250 commemoration, community members and visitors are invited to participate in the Juneteenth Time Capsule Project.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of freedom—considering both the lessons of the past and hopes for the future. Participants will be invited to write personal reflections answering questions such as: What does freedom mean today? What lessons should future generations remember? What are your hopes for the next 50–100 years?
These reflections will become part of a collective time capsule that preserves the voices and perspectives of our community at this moment in history.
Writing stations will be available at several Juneteenth events where participants can complete a reflection and contribute to the time capsule. Reflections will be collected throughout the weekend and later displayed publicly for a short exhibition following the celebration.
After the exhibition, the reflections will be entrusted to Gettysburg History, the organization currently developing Gettysburg’s future Black History Museum. The collection will become part of a time capsule to be buried on the museum grounds and opened by a future generation.
For those unable to participate during the Juneteenth events, a writing station and drop box will be available at the following locations:
Adams County Arts Council
125 S Washington St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Adams County Economic Alliance
1300 Proline Pl, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Adams County Library System
 140 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Adams County Rec Park – Charlie Sterner Building
545 Long Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Adams County Winery
251 Peach Tree Rd, Orrtanna, PA 17353
25 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Appalachian Brewing Company
259 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Beyond the Battle Museum
625 Biglerville Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Borough of Gettysburg – Lobby
59 E High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Christ Lutheran Church
30 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Destination Gettysburg Admin Office
1560 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Gettysburg Community Theatre
49 York St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Gettysburg College Union Building
242 W Lincoln Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Gettysburg Chocolate Market
9 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Gettysburg Tour Center
778 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Keystone Inn
231 Hanover Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Lark Gifts – A Modern Marketplace
17 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
MHJ Flower Shop & Garden Design
102 Carlisle St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Presidents Coffee
100 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Seminary Ridge Museum
Valentine Hall, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Shriver House Museum
307 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Sign of The Buck
29 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Sugarlips
110 Chambersburg St (Rear), Gettysburg, PA 17325
Thaddeus Stevens Museum
46 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
The Lion Potter
855 Taneytown Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
United Lutheran Seminary Valentine Hall
61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Waldo’s & Co.
17 Lincoln Square Basement, Gettysburg, PA 17325
YMCA Gettysburg
909 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Vendor Marketplace
Local businesses, artisans, and community organizations are invited to participate in Gettysburg’s Juneteenth celebration through our vendor marketplace.
Vendor opportunities will be available at several events throughout the weekend, including the Juneteenth Pop-Up Market at Rec Park on Friday evening and Saturday’s programs at Seminary Ridge. These opportunities are open to Black-owned businesses and ally businesses whose work reflects the spirit of community, unity, and cultural celebration.
Vendor space at the Majestic Theatre evening event will be reserved exclusively for Black-owned businesses in order to intentionally uplift and highlight Black entrepreneurship.
When applying, vendors will be asked to briefly describe their products, services, or activities and how they align with the mission and values of the Juneteenth celebration. Vendors will also have the option to select which event(s) they would like to participate in and will only be considered for the events they choose.
Get Involved with Juneteenth
Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters
This work is not done alone. Juneteenth in Gettysburg is a true community effort, and we are grateful to those who supported and contributed to last year’s commemoration. Your support helped create meaningful spaces for reflection, education, and celebration.
Thaddeus Stevens Society
Mediation Services of Adams County Inc
Unitarian Universalists
Gettysburg College
The Adams County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)
Tom & Janice Grove
Charles Sawicki
The Pub
Lisa Grim
Interfaith Center For Peace & Justice
Dobbin House
Gettysburg Pride
Janet Riggs
Martin Otto Zimmann
Rhonda Climons
Rebecca Wood
Gail & Peter Hull
President’s Fund, Adams County Community Foundation
Menallen Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
STAR Grant
Jane Berry
United Lutheran Seminary
John McClure
The People Behind Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday and is celebrated across the United States as a time to honor Black history, resilience, and the continuing pursuit of freedom and equality.
Juneteenth is nationally recognized on June 19 each year. In Gettysburg, community programs may take place on June 19 or during the surrounding weekend depending on the calendar and scheduling for that year. This allows more residents and visitors to participate in the events and educational programming. For 2026, the Gettysburg Juneteenth events will take place June 19–20.
No. Visitors are welcome to attend any individual event or portion of the celebration. Many people stop by for a specific program or activity depending on their schedule. You are welcome to participate for as much or as little time as you’d like.
The Juneteenth events organized by the Gettysburg Juneteenth Committee are free and open to the public. Some other Juneteenth community events listed may have their own admission policies.
Yes. In addition to the official Juneteenth programs organized by the Gettysburg Juneteenth Committee, other community organizations and businesses may host Juneteenth-related events. Those events are submitted through the Destination Gettysburg events calendar and may appear in the community Juneteenth listings on this page.
Yes. Juneteenth events are designed to be welcoming for visitors of all ages. Some programs focus on history and education, while others include community gatherings, performances, and opportunities to explore local vendors. Families are welcome to attend in whatever way works best for them.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a reminder of the long struggle for freedom and equality. Today it is both a celebration of Black history and culture and a time to reflect on the nation’s continuing pursuit of justice.
As part of Gettysburg’s Juneteenth celebration and the nation’s 250th commemoration, participants are invited to write reflections about the meaning of freedom and their hopes for future generations. These reflections will be collected during Juneteenth events and preserved in a time capsule connected to the future Gettysburg Black History Museum.
Yes. A writing station and drop box will also be available at locations in town for visitors who are unable to attend during Juneteenth weekend.
Yes. Vendors and community organizations may apply to participate in select Juneteenth events throughout the weekend. Businesses can choose which events they would like to participate in when completing the vendor application.
The Juneteenth programs highlighted on this page are organized by the Gettysburg Juneteenth Committee in partnership with local community organizations and historic sites. Additional Juneteenth-related events may be hosted independently by community organizations throughout the Gettysburg area.
Yes. Visitors are welcome to attend Juneteenth programs while exploring Gettysburg’s historic sites, museums, and downtown area. Many of the events take place near Gettysburg’s historic district, making it easy to include Juneteenth activities as part of a visit to the community.
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