(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser is inviting residents and visitors alike to save the date for the District’s 21st annual DC Emancipation Day festivities on Sunday, April 19. The free, day-long celebration at Franklin Park in Downtown DC will feature a parade, festival, and concert featuring world-renowned talent.
“DC Emancipation Day is one of the most meaningful days on our calendar — a moment for Washingtonians to come together, reflect on our history, celebrate the resilience that defines our city, and in doing so, strategize about our future,” said Mayor Bowser. “This year we are bringing the same energy to a new location, the beautiful Franklin Park in Downtown DC. So, mark your calendars, take note of the new location, and we’ll see you there.”
On April 19, festival gates will open at 1 pm, the parade will take place at 1:30 pm, and the concert will begin at 2 pm. More information about the Emancipation Day celebration will be available soon at emancipation.dc.gov.
DC Emancipation Day commemorates the signing of the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln, which ended slavery in the District of Columbia, freeing more than 3,100 enslaved people and making DC the first place in the nation where emancipation became law, nearly nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. It is this landmark legislation, and the courage and perseverance of those who fought to make it a reality, that Washington, DC honors every April 16.
Residents are encouraged to check emancipation.dc.gov for updates, or subscribe to the Mayor’s newsletter to keep up with important news about Emancipation Day, other DC events, and more.
Over the past decade, the Bowser Administration has consistently delivered world-class events that celebrate the DC community and its history, and that help grow the District’s economy and keep our neighborhoods vibrant. Events like the Fresh Start 5K, Chuck Brown Day, Art All Night, the Senior Holiday Celebration, the HerStory 5K, the Women of Excellence Awards, and more don’t just keep the District celebrating—they bring the community together and provide opportunities to uplift DC history and culture.
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