Juneteenth at the Gantt 2026

Join us for a day of reflection, creativity, education, and joy as we honor the enduring legacy of Juneteenth through art, music, storytelling, and shared experiences.

Enjoy delicious Southern cuisine from Soul Bistro Food Truck, browse local vendors, and connect with fellow community members during a special book club and vendor pop-up hosted by Archive CLT. Families can participate in hands-on arts and crafts activities inspired by the symbols and history of Juneteenth, while art lovers can witness a live painting activation by Charlotte based artist Curtis King.

Throughout the day, explore the Harvey B. Gantt Center through guided tours, attend a screening of the PBS documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, and deepen your understanding of the holiday during an engaging panel discussion featuring local historians and scholars. The celebration culminates with a special musical performance by A Sign of the Times, honoring the rich legacy and global influence of the African Diaspora through music.

Whether you're learning about Juneteenth for the first time or continuing a long-held tradition of celebration, Juneteenth 2026 at the Gantt offers meaningful opportunities to gather, reflect, and celebrate freedom together.

Program Schedule (subject to change):

Soul Bistro Food Truck

12pm - 4pm (Main Entrance)

Soul Bistro will be stationed outside of the Gantt’s main entrance for the day. Stop by their food truck for southern staples including barbecue, seafood, & soul food.

Community Book Club & Vendor Pop-Up with Archive CLT

12pm - 4pm (1st Floor Museum Store)

Join Archive CLT in our Museum Store as they highlight a special Juneteenth related book discussion. They will also be set up to sell drinks including chai and iced coffee throughout the day.

Vendors

12pm - 4pm (3rd Floor Mezzanine)

Support our vendors including Sweet Imalda’s, In Due Time, & more!

Kids Arts & Crafts

12pm - 4pm (4th Floor Rooftop)

Our Juneteenth arts & crafts selection includes a variety of coloring pages and a craft stick pan-african flag activity for guests to engage with the different symbols of the holiday.

Guided Tours

12pm - 1pm, 2pm-3pm (Tours start at the 2nd Floor VX Desk)

Learn more about the history of the Harvey B. Gantt Center and take a deeper look at our newest exhibition, Beyond Boundaries, during one of our guided tours.

Live Painting Activation with Curtis King

12pm - 2pm (2nd Floor Grand Lobby)

Charlotte based artist, Curtis King, will be doing a live painting activation in the Grand Lobby. This activation is perfect for guests of all ages to watch a painting come to life and ask questions throughout the process.

Film Screening: Juneteenth Faith & Freedom

12pm - 1pm (2nd Floor Performance Suite)

This PBS documentary follows the journey of a Black man as he travels throughout Texas to learn more about the legacy of American slavery and the Juneteenth holiday.

Musical Activation TBD

1pm - 2pm (2nd Floor Grand Lobby)

Panel Discussion: The History of Juneteenth

2pm - 3pm (2nd Floor Performance Suite)

Learn more about the history of Juneteenth in this educational panel discussion with local professors & historians. Moderated by Dr. Sonya Ramsey, the panelists include Dr. Willie Griffin, Dr. Janaka Lewis, and Earl L. Ijames.

Final Performance: A Sign of the Times

3pm - 4pm (2nd Floor Grand Lobby)

A Sign of the Times will be closing out our Juneteenth celebration with a special music performance to honor the legacy of the African Diaspora through music.