About this Event
The 10th Annual South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest marks a powerful milestone for one of the Midlands’ most meaningful community celebrations.
For the past decade, the South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest has brought people together to honor our ancestors, commemorate emancipation, and create space for culture, education, wellness, and economic opportunity. What began as a community celebration has grown into a major annual experience that has welcomed more than 50,000 attendees over nine years, supported local businesses and creatives, and created opportunities for connection, learning, and impact across the region.
In 2026, we celebrate 10 years of purpose, progress, and community power with this year’s theme:
The Future We Owe Ourselves
Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of freedom to enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865. But the meaning of Juneteenth has always reached beyond remembrance. It calls us to reflect on where we have come from, what has been fought for, and what kind of future we are responsible for building.
This year’s theme challenges us to think deeply about what we owe ourselves, our children, and our communities. We owe ourselves health. We owe ourselves knowledge. We owe ourselves opportunity. We owe ourselves stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and stronger economic foundations. The South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest is where that vision comes to life through celebration and action.
What to Expect at the Festival
The festival will bring together thousands of residents and visitors for a full day of live entertainment, cultural celebration, community engagement, and family-friendly experiences.
Guests can expect:
Live music and entertainment featuring dynamic performances that bring energy, nostalgia, joy, and celebration to this landmark 10 year event
A vibrant vendor marketplace showcasing local businesses, food vendors, artisans, and entrepreneurs
A Youth Empowerment Zone with engaging activities and experiences designed to inspire, uplift, and invest in the next generation
Cultural arts and heritage experiences that honor the richness, creativity, and enduring legacy of Black history and culture
Community resources and wellness engagement through organizations and partners committed to health, education, and empowerment
Family-friendly experiences that make the festival welcoming and meaningful for attendees of all ages
Special moments of recognition honoring the people, partners, and supporters who have helped build this celebration over the last decade
Whether you come for the music, the culture, the food, the fellowship, or the message, the South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest offers a powerful experience rooted in both celebration and purpose.
Juneteenth Week Workshops and Community Programming
The festival is part of a larger Juneteenth Week experience that includes free workshops and community-centered programming leading up to the main event.
These sessions are designed to do more than inform. They are meant to equip people with practical tools, real conversations, and meaningful support in areas that matter to everyday life.
Workshop topics include:
Mental health and emotional wellness
Men’s and women’s health
Financial literacy and wealth building
Homeownership and economic mobility
Entrepreneurship and small business development
These workshops reflect the deeper purpose of the week. The celebration is important, but so is the work of building a better future. Juneteenth Week is not only about gathering together. It is about pouring into the community in ways that can create lasting impact.
Free and Open to the Community
The South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest remains free and open to the public because this celebration belongs to the community.
Made possible through the support of partners, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, the festival continues to grow as a space where history is honored, culture is celebrated, and the future is taken seriously.
Join us as we celebrate 10 years of impact, culture, and community at the 10th Annual South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest.
Come celebrate freedom.
Come celebrate legacy.
Come celebrate the future we owe ourselves.
For sponsorship, vendor, volunteer, and performance opportunities, please visit JuneteenthFreedomFest.com.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Finlay Park, 930 Laurel Street, Columbia, United States
USD 0.00
