Juneteenth Freedom Festival 2026
The Whitney Plantation will present its fourth annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This free, registration-only event honors Juneteenth by celebrating Black history, culture, and freedom through music, art, education, and community engagement.
Event Details
The festival will be held at Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana. Local Black artists, chefs, and craftspeople will be showcased, as well as some of the region's finest food trucks. People can enjoy live performances by international singer Tara Alexander, The Maroons Band, and gospel soul artist Steven Perilloux.
A "Let Freedom Reign" panel discussion will be led by clinical social worker Dr. Nyoki Cosey Brown; community leader and civil rights pioneer Ms. Leona Tate; and Michael McClanahan, President of the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP, National Board Member, and President of the Baton Rouge NAACP branch. A special guest appearance will feature acclaimed chef and cookbook author Toya Boud.
Kids can enjoy the "Imagination Kids' Zone" with interactive activities by the Louisiana Children's Museum. There will also be delicious cuisine from King of Wingz Xpress, Sweet Kraving, and more for everyone!
About Whitney Plantation
Whitney Plantation is the only museum in the state of Louisiana dedicated to telling the history of slavery. The site operates as a non-profit museum on a former sugar, indigo, and rice plantation that operated from 1752 to 1925.
Today, Whitney Plantation's mission centers around public education, historical research, and preserving African American history in Southeast Louisiana. Many of the preserved historical structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors can partake in self-guided tours or guided tours with interpreters. Additionally, the Whitney Plantation offers educational tours for learners in the 5th grade and older. All tours are free after downloading the free Whitney Plantation app.
