While it has long been celebrated in African American communities, Juneteenth has taken on a higher profile after becoming a federal holiday last year in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
Known as Black Fourth of July, Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863.
Locally, unlike early celebrations of Juneteenth that saw one large communal gathering, this year’s celebrations, like last year’s, look to be a series of events leading up to and on Juneteenth.
One catch this year? The weather. Weather forecasts point to a sweltering Juneteenth/Father’s Day on June 19, with temps soaring close to 100 degrees. So make sure to stay hydrated if celebrating outdoors.
Below, find a list of free or low-cost indoor and outdoor events to celebrate the nation’s newest federal holiday.
JUNE 17
8:30 am – 10:30 am @ Minnesota Humanities Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul
Celebrate Freedom Day with the soulful sounds of Jevetta Steele, followed by a talk by Angela Tate, curator of women’s history at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, who will highlight the role of women, and in particular Black sororities, in upholding Juneteenth traditions nationwide. Professor Duchess Harris will moderate a discussion. $10.
“Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story” Live Play
10 am & 7 pm @ Breck School’s Carlson Theatre, 123 Ottawa Ave. N., Golden Valley
This year Sweet Potato Comfort Pie will host its 2nd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee with two live theater productions at Breck School’s Carlson Theatre. Written by Rose McGee, the 90-minute fictitious, two-act play weaves music and storytelling together to celebrate and recount the history of Juneteenth. Free.
St. Cloud Juneteenth 2022
3-9 pm @ Lake George Municipal Park, 1101 7th St S. St. Cloud
The Higher Works Collaborative is celebrating its 25th Annual Juneteenth Celebration with a salute to Black women. Community members are invited to enjoy a full day of live music, games, activities, vendors, a grill-off, health clinics, and more. Free.
Juneteenth: Freedom Aint Free
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm @ North Hennepin Community College | 7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park
With the theme of “freedom ain’t free,” this community gathering is open to all Brooklyn Park residents. The celebration includes family activities, performances, storytelling, a resource fair, DJ, raffles, food trucks and more. Free.
Apple Valley Juneteenth 2022 – Unapologetically Black
4:30 pm-8:30 pm @ Apple Valley Community Center, 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley
Billed as a Juneteenth event like no other, this celebration offers an unabashed celebration of Blackness from history to commerce. The event features a dance production, vendors, a community booth with resources and more. Free.
Harrison Juneteenth Celebration
5:30-7:30 pm @ Harrison Park, 503 Irving Ave. N., Mpls
Harrison Recreation Center and Harrison Neighborhood are collaborating for an outdoor celebration with music, dancing, activities, and food. Free.
Lessons Throughout History With Nothando Zulu
6-7 pm | Online event via Zoom
Master storyteller Nothando Zulu will offer lessons on Juneteenth, Reconstruction and more at this Hennepin County Library event. Free.
Creekview Juneteenth Celebration
6-8 pm @ Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave. N., Mpls
This Minneapolis Park Board event offers music, food, children’s activities, and more with a dusk screening of the movie “Summer of Soul” directed by Best Documentary Oscar-winner Questlove. Free.
June 18
Northside Juneteenth Community Celebration
11 am – 3 pm @ Sanctuary Covenant Church, 710 W Broadway Ave. N., Mpls.
Bring the whole family out for a full day of activities on the lawn of Sanctuary Sanctuary Covenant Church. The festivities include a kids’ zone, a community health fair, a Black business marketplace, free food, local entertainment, face-painting, games, and more. The event is organized by Strong Roots Foundation, Agape Oasis, and Twin Cities Recovery Project Inc. Free.
Juneteenth Parade & Celebration
11 am-6 pm @ Bethune Park, 1304 N 10th Ave.
Presenting by the Juneteenth Community Board, the MPRB-sponsored festivities begin with a parade at 11 am that will end at Bethune Park, where from 12-6 pm community members can enjoy food trucks, kids’ activities, vendors, and exhibitors. Entertainment includes DJ Dime, Brooklyn Park Lions Drum and Dance Group, Niles, Legacy Arts Group, Jovonta Patton, Cornisha Garmon, Jerome Treadwell, and Chase & Ovation. Free.
Woodbury Juneteenth Celebration
11 am-2 pm @ Ojibway Park Pavilion, 2695 Ojibway Dr., Woodbury
Woodbury for Justice and Equality’s second annual Freedom Day celebration features food, music, speeches, and activities. Free.
St. Paul Juneteenth Celebration – The Sterling Club
10 am – 4 pm @ Caty Park, 300 St. Albans St. N, St. Paul
This all-ages event promises fun for the entire family with opportunities to share our books with children of all ages. Free.
11 am – 7 pm @ Centennial Park, 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
Celebrate Freedom Day at this City of Brooklyn Center gathering offering food, vendors, and activities for all ages and a performance by the Sounds of Blackness at 3:30 pm. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration at Midtown Global Market
12-3 pm @ Central Court – 920 E. Lake Street, Mpls.
Billed as an entertaining and educational event, Midtown Global Market’s Juneteenth celebration features a presentation by storyteller Beverly Cottman, readings by author Crown Shepherd, and offerings by Creative Innovators, a group of young entrepreneurs. Informational organizations, as well as Black-owned businesses, include Baked Brand, Blackbird Awakening, New Start Fashion, Take Care and Amani’s Crafts. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration at Sun Ray Library
12-3 pm @ Sun Ray Public Library, 2105 Wilson Ave., St. Paul
This free event features a live performance, food, games, crafts, and more. Free.
Was. Is. Will Be. March and Block Party
12-6 pm @ Willow Park, 1626 Queen Ave. N., Mpls to UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Mpls
Hosted by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, this gathering honors the past, commemorates the present, and envisions the future with speakers, storytellers, teach-ins, musicians, performers, DJs, roller skating, books, free food, free haircuts, mural and artmaking, free haircuts and more. The march kicks off at Willard Park down Penn Ave. to UROC. Free.
12-1:30 pm | Online event via Zoom
Genealogist and artist Mica Anders will introduce tools for genealogical exploration, highlight uniquely African American sources, and help attendees uncover the stories of their family to honor its legacy.
12-5 pm @ Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Park, 1738 E. Center St., Rochester
The Rochester Branch of the NAACP will celebrate Juneteenth with a free music concert.
Free to Be Juneteenth Celebration
1-3:30 pm @ North River Hills Park, 11501 19th Ave., Burnsville
Enjoy musical performances from Heather McElrath, Catalyst Artist Collective, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips, a dance performance by Afrocontigbo Dance Group, live painting by Kenneth Caldwell, a line dance party, and kids’ crafts. Directions: Take W River Hills Drive/River Hills Drive to 19th Ave to get to the park. Free.
A Celebration with Music and the Community
3-7 pm @ Boyd Park, 335 Selby Ave., St. Paul
Jearlyn Steele hosts this YWCA event and shares the stage with other artists including Thomasina Petrus & Band, Johnnie Brown, Beverly Cottman, Brittany Delaney, Sound Effects and more. The afternoon also features activities for kids and food trucks. Free.
JUNETEENTH, JUNE 19
Juneteenth Minnesota – West Broadway Block Party: The Fight For Freedom Continues
8 am-6 pm @ 1007 West Broadway Ave., Mpls.
Shop with Black vendors, enjoy food trucks and activities for kids, listen to live entertainment and inspiring guest speakers, and more. Free.
Marshall Juneteenth Celebration
10 am @ Independence Park, E Lyon St. Marshall
Community members are invited to come out and celebrate Freedom Day with food from Tavern 507, Taste of Soul and Moore Good Eats. Also, enjoy music and live entertainment, inflatables, yard games, story hour for the family, and more. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration in Edina
11 am-3 pm @ Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., Edina
This is the city of Edina’s first Juneteenth Community Celebration. The event will offer family activities, food vendors, entertainment, and more. Free.
Juneteenth Commencement Celebration & Reparations Rally
11 am – 4 pm @ Minnesota Governor’s Mansion | 1006 Summit Ave., St. Paul
Celebrate Juneteenth by demanding economic justice for Black lives.
Juneteenth Celebration @ Central Park
11 am-6 pm @ Central Park Maple Grove, 12000 Central Park Way N., Maple Grove
Enjoy yoga, a vendor fair, music, food trucks, e-sports, splashpad and more. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration @ George Floyd Square
12-6 pm @ 3736 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls.
Community members are invited to soak up good vibes and live music at this block party in George Floyd Square. Also on hand will be free food provided by Target, vendors, games, a DJ, and more. Organizers will also be accepting donations for the nonprofit youth organization Forward Thinking Foundation. Free.
Rondo Center of Diverse Expressions Annual Juneteenth Celebration
12-6 pm @ Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 315 N Fisk St., St. Paul (block party on Fisk St., between Carroll and Condoria Avenues)
Celebrate Juneteenth in the historic Black Rondo neighborhood with live performances, MN Museum exhibits, spoken word, food, and keynote speaker, CNN legal analyst Laura Coates. Free.
Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Celebration
1- 6 pm @ Under The Canopy at Hook and Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls.
This festival features live music, speakers, poets, a Black-owned business marketplace, live art and food vendors. Performers include Blackfish Movement, iLLism, Basement Gang, Supa Juke, Kashimana, Dance with Purpose, RAWTWHYLAH, Micheal Kleber-Diggs, Kokou Kha, and J’mere. Free.
Juneteenth Celebration – Roseville
4-8 pm @ Frank Rog Amphitheater Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave., Roseville
Roseville’s 5th annual Juneteenth celebration offers free food from two Black-owned eateries, Adam’s Soul to Go and Dar’s Double Scoop—while supplies last—family activities, and entertainment featuring DJ D.I.M.E., the Dancing Divas Dance Team, and R&B/soul singer/songwriter Shannon Ileah. Free.
Let us know of more events in the comments and we’ll add them to the list.
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