38th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (NNBCAS)
About This Event
Northern Nevada's flagship Juneteenth event, hosted for the 38th consecutive year by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS), takes place at J Resort's Glow Plaza in downtown Reno. The free outdoor celebration runs midday Friday and brings together live music, soul food and Black-owned food vendors, community resource tables, youth programming, and recognition of Reno's Black elders and civic leaders. Founded in 1988, NNBCAS organizes two signature annual events — the MLK Birthday Gala in January and this Juneteenth celebration — to promote Black cultural awareness, education, and unity across the Truckee Meadows. Past years have included a Miss Juneteenth competition (presented by Shades of Queening), a Black history exhibit, and ceremonial Emancipation Proclamation readings.
📅 When
June 19, 2026
📍 Where
J Resort's Glow Plaza, 670 W 4th St, Reno, NV 89503
Reno, NV
💵 Price
Free
👤 Organizer
Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS)
Connect with Organizer
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Suggest a photo →What to expect at a Juneteenth festival
Juneteenth festivals are the heart of the holiday — multi-hour, family-friendly, and densely programmed. Expect a main stage with rotating performances, vendor rows featuring Black-owned businesses, food trucks heavy on barbecue and Southern cuisine, kids’ zones with face painting and bounce houses, history exhibits or living-history performers, and community resource booths. Plan to spend two to four hours if you want to see the lineup; longer if you’re bringing children. Entry is free at most festivals, but tipping vendors and supporting local businesses is part of the day.
About Juneteenth in Reno
Reno, NV marks Juneteenth alongside hundreds of other US cities, with celebrations rooted in local Black history and shaped by the people, churches, and community organizations that have sustained the day for generations. Whether you’re attending your first Juneteenth or your fortieth, the goal is the same: gather, remember, and celebrate freedom together.
Other Juneteenth events in NV
Frequently asked questions
- When is 38th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (NNBCAS)?
- June 19, 2026. Confirm exact start times with the organizer (Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS)) before traveling.
- Where is 38th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (NNBCAS) held?
- J Resort's Glow Plaza, 670 W 4th St, Reno, NV 89503, Reno, NV. Check the event website for parking and accessibility details.
- Is this event free to attend?
- Yes. This Juneteenth event is free and open to the public. Some sub-events (food, vendor purchases, optional workshops) may have separate costs.
- What should I bring?
- Plan for outdoor weather. Bring sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, a hat or umbrella, cash for vendors (some are cash-only), and a portable phone charger. If chairs aren’t provided, a foldable seat or blanket is useful.
- Is the event family-friendly?
- Most Juneteenth celebrations welcome all ages. Family-specific programming varies by event — many include kids’ zones, face painting, and family activities. Strollers are usually welcome at outdoor venues.