On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, which formally notified enslaved people in Texas that they were free. The day became known and celebrated as Juneteenth. On the third Sunday in June each year, 19th Fest in Austin commemorates the holiday, billing itself as “America’s Juneteenth Celebration.”
For the first time, 19th Fest will be held at Republic Square downtown. The event, which was previously a soul food truck festival, relaunched this year as 19th Fest after Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2022. The event hosts food trucks and restaurants serving everything from barbecue and soul food to Cajun bites and vegan fare. “We’re really trying to build a celebration that’s attended by a diverse range of people, and one that they will want to travel across the state and even country for,” festival producer Heath Creech says.
Live music including R&B, rap, soul, and blues fills the festival grounds, and group fun is encouraged with the Friends and Family Olympics, where all are welcome to compete. A Kids’ Zone, face painting, retail vendors, and art sales are spread throughout the park. Last year’s event also featured a health and wellness hub and live cooking demonstrations, all showcasing African American culture in Texas.
19th Fest, June 18. Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin. 19thfest.com
BIG BEND COUNTRY
EL PASO
Viva! El Paso
June 23-Aug. 5
This colorful musical celebrates the four major cultures that have influenced the Sun City. Native American, Spanish Conquistador, Mexican, and Western American cultures and their histories come alive through drama, song, and dance by a cast of more than 50 performers. McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Road. 915-276-5681; vivaelpaso.org
MARFA
Agave Festival
June 1-4
This annual festival celebrates the agave and its influence on food, film, music, science, and spirits. It brings communities together through accessible programming that includes talks by preeminent historians, botanists, artists, anthropologists, and archeologists. The event offers tastings hosted by agave spirit producers, one-ofa-kind dining experiences, and performances by leading artists in contemporary and regional music. Various locations. agavemarfa.com
MARFA
CineMarfa
June 15-18
Inspired by a desire to bring artist-made films to viewers in Far West Texas, the event has hosted a diverse array of talent, including Harmony Korine, Cat Power, and Larry Clark. In addition to films made by visual artists, the festival focuses on showing unusual and rare archival, experimental, documentary, and narrative cinema. Crowley Theater, Corner of Austin and El Paso streets. 432-295-0752; cinemarfa.org
VAN HORN
Frontier Days
June 23-24
The event features swimming, school reunions, games, historic tours, vendors, and an outdoor dance. Van Horn City Park, Third and Austin streets. 432-283-2682; vanhorntexas.org
GULF COAST
BAYTOWN
Juneteenth Celebration
June 17
Baytown commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people with live entertainment, food, shopping, and family fun. Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St. 281-420-6597; baytown.org/1011/juneteenth-celebration
BAYTOWN
Summer Music Festival
June 24
Summer months are meant for fun, sun, and relaxation. Listen to good tunes from numerous artists while hanging out on the town square. Headlining is the Brightwire Band, a Houston-area folk-rock band. Town Square, 213 W. Texas Ave. 281-810-2990; acedistrictbaytown.org
EAST BERNARD
Czech Kolache-Klobase Festival
June 10
Enjoy live music, dancing, and entertainment. A lunch plate of barbecue chicken, sausage, sauerkraut, and trimmings is available for purchase. Hamburgers are available in the evening. There are arts and crafts, raffle prizes, a cake walk, and kolaches for sale. Riverside Hall, 14643 Buls Road. 979-533-1902; kkfest.com
FREEPORT
Fort Velasco Day
June 24
Fort Velasco Day commemorates the 191st anniversary of the Battle of Fort Velasco. This living history event brings reenactors from across the state to give visitors a glimpse of what life and conflict was like at the mouth of the
