RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [June 12, 2026] – Live music, interactive experiences and cultural celebration come to Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s vibrant downtown district, as “Juneteenth at Hub RTP” returns for its fourth year on June 19. The free event honors Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, with performances, educational experiences and family-friendly activities that celebrate Black history, culture and community.
On Juneteenth from 5 to 9 p.m., Hub RTP’s East Campus will transform into a community-wide celebration with dancing, interactive experiences, youth performances and festival eats from local favorites and Black-owned businesses.
“Juneteenth is a moment for learning, reflection and joy, and we’re proud that this event has grown into a true community gathering that honors that spirit,” said Amanda Ronan, senior director of placemaking, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, the nonprofit that stewards RTP. “Combining the energy of a festival with meaningful educational programming feels right for who we are and what we want Hub RTP to be.”
What guests can expect:
- Live entertainment: Beats from DJ Damu, a youth rap performance by the Bey Boys, live music from Acisse Jay and the Gents, youth dance performances by Stage Door Dance Productions and group line dancing with Salonia House.
- Family-friendly fun: Splash pad, chalk, bubbles, oversized yard games by Barnyard Affairs and face painting by Paint Savvy.
- Food trucks and local vendors: Guests can purchase food and beverages from local favorites, including Bundts by Brenee, Fresh AF, Mike Nice Empanadas, Omggirllemonade, Safari Eatz, Same O Dame O’s and Tropical Delights Smoothies.
- Horseshoe tenant experiences: Nanny Goat Market will feature an outdoor vendor activation with desserts, ice cream and sweet treats, spotlighting products from Black-owned businesses. Cheeni Indian Food Emporium will offer grab-and-go food specials. JETSET Pilates RTP is hosting a booth to share more about the high-energy, reformer-based fitness concept offering premium, full-body workouts.
- MAA Indoor Cool Down & Sensory Zone: In addition to complimentary water stations and misting fans to help keep attendees cool, MAA Nixie luxury apartments will offer indoor seating and a quiet, sensory-friendly area for guests, creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all abilities and needs.
This year’s celebration also deepens its commitment to education and community connection.
Employee resource groups from RTP companies, such as Cisco’s Connected Black Professionals and Biogen’s Mosaic, will highlight the contributions of Black innovators in STEM, lead interactive demonstrations, and share curated reading lists and cultural resources.
Community organizations will offer activations focused on a range of critical issues, including mental health resources (Lighthouse Therapy and Consulting), health empowerment screenings for young Black women (RTI International’s GODDESS Project), career readiness for young adults from underserved communities (NPower North Carolina), college admission counseling, financial and economic literacy services (TRiO at PCC), efforts to address systemic inequalities in health, economic developing, housing and food systems (Communities in Partnership), public education initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence (North Carolinians Against Gun Violence) and transformative, inclusive learning experiences that integrate STEAM, Wellness and Entrepreneurship for kids (The Wakaboomee Program).
Guests are also invited to explore “The Path to Freedom,” a self-guided educational trail tracing pivotal moments in the fight to end slavery in the United States. Throughout the celebration, attendees will also find conversation prompts and table topics designed to encourage reflection, storytelling and meaningful connection, providing space for guests to gather and engage in meaningful conversation with family, friends and neighbors.
Juneteenth at Hub RTP is free and open to the public, with advanced registration preferred. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs, along with sunscreen, towels or a change of clothes for the splashpad. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will take place on Friday, June 26, 2026.
To learn more and register for Juneteenth at Hub RTP, visit https://hub.rtp.org/juneteenth.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP is the new, vibrant downtown district of Research Triangle Park (RTP), North America’s largest research park. At full build out, Hub RTP will feature up to one million square feet of office and lab space, 279 hotel rooms, 1,200 multifamily residential units, and 50K square feet of restaurant and retail space, all designed to bring people together to work, play and stay in RTP. An impressive 16 acres of parks and greenspace includes the award-winning and eco-friendly Burdens Creek, which connects more than 20 miles of trails in RTP. Centrally located in the heart of the Triangle region, the 100-acre district includes Horseshoe at Hub RTP, the mixed-use town square of the development, Frontier RTP, an innovative startup community, and Boxyard RTP, a unique food, retail and entertainment destination. To learn more about Hub RTP and current leasing opportunities, visit https://hub.rtp.org.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (Foundation) has led the strategic vision and development of Research Triangle Park (RTP). As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Foundation fosters transformative collaborations among universities, industry, government and the workforce, while attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent to the region. By promoting groundbreaking research, scientific advancements and technology-based innovation within RTP, the Foundation supports quality job creation and strengthens North Carolina’s economic landscape. As the steward of RTP, North America’s largest research park, the Foundation prioritizes connection and is reimagining the region with projects like Hub RTP, RTP’s new vibrant downtown destination that cultivates a community where people can live, work, play and stay. Recognized with consecutive Triangle Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awards in 2023 and 2024, the Foundation champions sustainable growth and inclusivity as pillars of RTP’s legacy and future. To learn more about Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, visit https://rtp.org.
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Media contact
Ana Velez
Marketing Manager
Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
velez@rtp.org