Montgomery County Juneteenth Festival

Montgomery County Juneteenth Festival

If you have never been to a Juneteenth celebration at Cabin John Regional Park, you are in for a treat. Montgomery County goes all out for this one, turning the park into a full-blown carnival with rides, games, live music, and more food than your kids will know what to do with. And here is the best part: the carnival rides are completely free. Yes, free. No tickets, no tokens, no "can I have five more dollars" conversations. Just show up and ride.

The festival celebrates the Scotland community, one of the oldest African American communities in the Bethesda area. There are live performances throughout the day, hands-on craft stations for the little ones, and plenty of games scattered around the grounds. My kids could honestly spend hours just bouncing between activities without running out of things to do.

One thing I really appreciate about Cabin John is that the park itself is huge. If your kids hit a wall with the festival (unlikely, but it happens), the regular playgrounds are right there as a backup plan. The evening brings the Juneteenth Classic baseball game, which is a fun way to wind down after a full day. Montgomery County also runs a free parking shuttle from nearby lots, so you do not have to stress about finding a spot. Get there on the earlier side if you can. The popular rides get long lines by early afternoon, and you will want to grab a good spot near the stage.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Free parking shuttle: Take the shuttle from the nearby lots. It saves you the hassle of finding a spot, and parking at the park fills up fast.
• ✓Ride lines: Carnival rides are free, but expect lines for the popular ones. Arriving closer to 11 AM gives you the shortest waits.
• ✓Playground backup plan: The park has regular playgrounds too, so if kids need a break from the festival, you have options nearby.
• ✓Bring a blanket: Pack a picnic blanket for the live performances. The grassy areas fill up, and sitting on the ground gets old quickly.
• ✓Baseball game: The evening Juneteenth Classic starts after the festival wraps up. It is a great way to end the day if your crew still has energy.