Juneteenth Community Day at NMAAHC

Juneteenth Community Day at the African American History Museum

The National Museum of African American History and Culture runs a free Juneteenth Community Day on Friday, June 19, and it is built for families. The whole thing is daytime and drop-in, so you can show up when it works for your crew and leave when the kids are done. This year the museum is honoring Opal Lee, the woman often called the Grandmother of Juneteenth, who turns 100 this year.

If you have little ones, the 11am story time reads a Juneteenth picture book and then sends kids off to make a small art project, which is a nice way to settle a 4-year-old before lunch. Older kids tend to gravitate to the go-go performance and the line-dancing workshop, where nobody minds if you are a little off the beat. Admission to the museum is free, but you still need a timed entry pass, so grab one online before you go.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Book the free timed pass first. The museum is free but you need an entry pass, and Juneteenth is one of the busiest days of the year. Grab passes online the moment you decide to go.
• ✓Aim for the 11am story time with younger kids. It gives a 3 to 8 year old something to focus on early, and the art project right after buys you a calm 20 minutes.
• ✓Eat before or pack snacks. The cafe gets a long line on event days. A few snacks in your bag will save a meltdown around 1pm.
• ✓Start at the top and work down. The history galleries are below ground and the culture floors are up high. With kids, the upper floors and the day-of programming are easier than the dense lower levels.
• ✓Strollers are fine. There is elevator access throughout, so a stroller works, though the busiest galleries can be tight around midday.