Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) – Starting on Sunday, April 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser will kick off annual DC Emancipation Day festivities that the community is invited to join. DC Emancipation Day honors the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which freed over 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia.  
 
On Sunday, April 14, Mayor Bowser will host this year’s Emancipation Day Parade, concert, and fireworks. Supported by the Mayor’s Office on Community Affairs (MOCA) and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME), the free festivities begin with the parade, followed by the DC Emancipation Day Concert on Freedom Plaza – featuring DC’s own Ginuwine, Kelly Price, Ricky Dillard & New Generation, EU featuring Sugar Bear, along with Go-Go fusion band Black Alley, Marcus Johnson, and other local and national artists. There will be live radio broadcasts throughout the day, along with interactive activations and food trucks. For a full lineup of performances and more, visit dcemancipationday.com. 
 
In this year’s parade, a contingency of 51 youth volunteers will be symbolically representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia, in support of DC Statehood. Those interested in participating as a part of this contingency should RSVP here. 
 
2 pm 
DC Emancipation Day Parade 
Starting location: Pennsylvania Ave NW Between 10th and 14th Streets NW 
Ending location: Freedom Plaza (1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) 
 
3 pm 
DC Emancipation Day Concert 
Freedom Plaza
 
8:30 pm
Fireworks Display 
Freedom Plaza 
 
On Monday, April 15 at 12 pm, the Bowser Administration will host the seventh annual Full Democracy Champions Luncheon, with this year’s theme being “Defending Our Vote.” The 2024 Full Democracy Champions Luncheon will commemorate the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia 162 years ago. This event serves as a tribute to DC history, while inspiring collective action toward achieving full voting rights and statehood for the District of Columbia. Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP with Joshua Collins at [email protected]. 
 
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of the Sunday’s festivities. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN) or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X. 
 

Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos