21st Annual DC Emancipation Day
About The Event
Join the district celebrating the 21st Annual DC Emancipation Day at Freedom Plaza!
DC Emancipation Day commemorates the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862âthe first major act of emancipation in the U.S., which freed over 3,000 enslaved people in Washington, D.C. The first major public celebration took place in 1866, when the cityâs Black community gathered for a large parade at Franklin Square – now Franklin Park.
On April 19, bring your family and join a day of parades, reenactments, and cultural events honoring African American history and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.
CONCERT LINEUP
This yearâs concert is guaranteed to be an event to remember, featuring performances by world-renowned, three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and record producer T.I.; DCâs own Grammy Award-winning singer MĂ˝a; and three-time Grammy-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett, as well as Backyard Band featuring Sugar Bear, Black Alley, 44 The Musical, and Souls of Kingsmen.
T.I.
Mýa
Tye Tribbett
Backyard Band
Sugar Bear
Black Alley
44 The Musical
Souls of Kingsmen
EVENT SCHEDULE
- 1:00 p.m. | Freedom Plaza Festival Grounds Open
- 1:30 p.m. | 21st Anniversary Parade Begins
- Starting Point:Â 9th Street NW and Pennsylvania Ave NWÂ
- Ending Point:Â 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NWÂ
- 2:30 p.m. | Emancipation Day Concert
- 8:30 p.m. | Grand Finale
Details
- Cost: FREE
- Location Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Metro: Metro Center Station (Red/Blue/Orange/Silver lines) via 13th & G Streets Exit
For more information and to register for the events, please visit DC Emancipation Day.
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