4th Annual Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest
Join Planet Word for its fourth annual Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest, a daylong celebration of Black authors, language arts, and community. Award-winning poet, author, and Hip-Hop educator Tony Keith, Jr. returns as guest MC, spotlighting local authors who exhibit their works, sell books, and offer personalized signings, then wrapping up with a dynamic reading and performance. Throughout the day, enjoy Juneteenth-inspired arts and crafts, delicious bites and refreshments from SoFull Eats, and a live performance by the local West African Drum Ensemble Versatile Soundzz. The museum's galleries are open for exploration from morning until evening, and the festivities culminate with a Karaoke Kickback Lounge. The event is free and open to all.
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Showtimes: The schedule includes: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Museum Gallery Access; 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Juneteenth Arts and Crafts (2nd Floor Classrooms); 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Black Author Book Fest (Mansard Room); 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Versatile Soundzz Performance (Friedman Family Auditorium); 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Karaoke Kickback Lounge (Mansard Room). Separate reservations are required for each timed component.
Tickets: Admission is free, but separate reservations are required for each part of the day. Tickets can be obtained via the Planet Word website.
Lineup: Guest MC Tony Keith, Jr.; local authors exhibiting and signing books; SoFull Eats (food vendor); Versatile Soundzz (West African Drum Ensemble); plus karaoke hosts for the evening lounge.
Run time: The full event spans 12 hours, with individual activities ranging from 1 to 2 hours.
Ages: All ages are welcome; Juneteenth arts and crafts are family-friendly.
Venue: Planet Word Museum, 925 13th St. NW, Entrance on K Street, Washington, D.C.
Accessibility: For questions or concerns regarding accessibility needs, please contact [email protected].
Note: The Karaoke Kickback Lounge (8:00–10:00 p.m.) requires a separate reservation. All events are free.