Celebrate Juneteenth Across the Grand Strand

Juneteenth is a national holiday that marks the liberation of slaves after the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, U.S. Army Major General Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston, Texas, to announce the Civil War was over and that slavery had ended.

At that time, many African Americans were unaware that Congress had passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and that Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. Major General Granger’s announcement helped spread this momentous declaration in history throughout the most rural parts of the country. Juneteenth is also called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, or Emancipation Day.

Here are some events happening in the Myrtle Beach area to help you celebrate and honor Juneteenth:

Atlantic Beach Juneteenth Celebration Festival

Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

?Atlantic Beach

From 1 to 7 p.m., enjoy Gullah Geechee cultural showcases and food bazar, a Boots on the Ground flash mob, live music, and family activities.

Myrtle Beach Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

?Charlie’s Place at 1420 Carver Street in Myrtle Beach

Mark your calendar for the City of Myrtle Beach’s Annual Juneteenth celebration! Bring your whole family to enjoy live performances by Live in the Flesh and The 100 Grand Band. Expect food and craft vendors along with a kids fun zone from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday June 14, at Charlie’s Place, 1420 Carver Street. Other performances include Namu Drum Company, Socastee and Conway High School Drum Lines and the Myrtle Beach Middle School dance team. Bring a lawn chair and join us for a day of freedom, unity and community! For more information, call 843-918-1062.

5th Annual Juneteenth Soul Food Festival

Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

?Freewoods Farm in Burgess, S.C

Enjoy a traditional Southern cookout, cultural celebration, African attire, cultural presentations, live storytelling, and family games.

Juneteenth at Brookgreen Gardens

Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

?Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens will host a Juneteenth Program featuring Gullah Storytelling at the Ron Daise Auditorium. Acclaimed Gullah storyteller Frank Murry will share rich oral traditions passed down through generations, offering insight into the lives, wisdom, and culture of the Gullah Geechee people.

Celebrate Juneteenth in Pawleys Island

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

?The Quad on Petigru drive in Pawleys Island, S.C.

Learn from Emcee and Historian, Lee Brockington how “The Blues” shaped the rich history and resilience of African Americans, as well as influenced American music and enjoy Legendary Blues Guitarist Mac Arnold and his band, Plate Full O' Blues.  Admission is free, bring your lawn chairs. Food Trucks will be on site. Beer & Wine will be available for purchase.

Georgetown Country Library Inaugural Juneteenth Festival

Throughout the month of June

?Georgetown County Library, Georgetown, S.C.

This festival is featuring a variety of experiences like art exhibits, storytelling, Gullah doll making and a Black Business Expo on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On June 17 at 3 p.m., Ron Daise will showcase Gullah storytelling. 

Green Book of South Carolina

The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission has created The Green Book of South Carolina, the first mobile web travel guide to African American cultural sites across the state. It’s a contemporary homage to the original Green Book first published in 1936 that featured safe harbors and welcoming establishments for African Americans throughout the United States.

The Grand Strand also has a rich African American history and many cultural sites to explore with your family and friends. Please visit the website for more history and information.