Celebrate Juneteenth 2023: event highlights in the Twin Cities and beyond

The celebration of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, continues to grow. ​In only the second year as a national holiday, Juneteenth festivities have increased across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, with more than 30 events taking place over the next 10 days. The MSR has compiled a list of just some of the activities to look forward to from music and dance to parades, festivals, block parties and cookouts. We invite readers to share their Juneteenth celebrations on our Facebook page and let us know of more events in the comment section.

Juneteenth Community Cook-out
June 15 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
270 North Kent St., St. Paul
Enjoy a free evening of food, music and community with Women’s Advocates! This celebration honors the Black/African American victim-survivors they support as well as the Black/African American-led companies, artists, and other community partners who support and strengthen the community. Register at bit.ly/JuneteenthCommunityCook-Out.

Change Starts with Community Juneteenth Event
June 16 – Noon to 6 p.m.
Shiloh Temple International Ministries
1201 West Broadway, Minneapolis
Featuring Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Safety Commissioner Dr. Cedric Alexander and Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr., this event includes youth basketball and games, prizes and free food, gun locks and Narcan. For more info, visit bit.ly/KnownMPLSJuneteenth.

Ladies of Soul: A Juneteenth Celebration
June 16 – 7:00 p.m.
The Dakota
1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Featuring Kathleen Johnson and friends, this live music production includes the music of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Teena Marie, and Sade. For more info, visit www.dakotacooks.com.

Tré Da Marc presents – Juneteenth Jubilee: A Black Burlesque Show
June 16 – 7:00 p.m.
The Capri Theater
2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis
Just like gospel, jazz and blues, burlesque is Black! The Juneteenth Jubilee is described as an epic love letter and celebration of liberation and freedom for Black and Brown bodies and identities in burlesque. Featuring some of the industry’s most prolific artists from across the United States, the entire Twin Cities is welcome to witness Black performance artists taking up space at the historic Capri Theater. For more info, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthJubileeBurlesque.

Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story
June 16 – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Breck School
123 Ottawa Ave. North, Golden Valley
Written by Rose McGee and produced in partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center, “Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story” teaches the history of Juneteenth and its significance in the continued struggle for racial justice and equity. Free but registration is required at bit.ly/SweetPotatoComfortKumbayah.

Team USA’s Juneteenth Cookout
June 17 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
7070 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center
Celebrate Juneteenth with Team USA Mortgage. Food and drinks are provided. Register at bit.ly/TeamUSAJuneteenth.

2023 Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ojibway Park
2695 Ojibway Dr., Woodbury
Join Woodbury for Justice and Equality serving Human Rights in celebrating community. Featuring speakers, live performances, music, food and activities for the whole family. For more info, visit woodbury4je.com.

Juneteenth Family Festival
June 17 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sanctuary Covenant Church
710 West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis
Enjoy a community health fair, Black business marketplace, food trucks, games, live music, poetry and storytelling. For more info, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthFamilyFest.

Juneteenth Celebration Roseville
June 17 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Frank Rog Amphitheatre
2540 Lexington Ave. North, Roseville
A special Juneteenth edition of Roseville’s Live @ The Rog, in partnership with Do Good Roseville. There will be free food, speakers and entertainment. For more info, visit dogoodroseville.com/juneteenth-Roseville-2023.

Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Centennial Park
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
Join a family-friendly day filled with entertainment, food, vendors, art, lawn games, teen activities and more. Entertainment includes Ernest Bisong, Carolyne Naomi, Ashley DuBose, The Maxx Band, and others. Admission is free. For more info, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthBC.

Juneteenth Celebration: Black Bodies in Motion
June 17 – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Midtown Global Market
920 East Lake St., Minneapolis
Featuring performances by Jamela Pettiford, Brother Ghana and a Somali poet, this event includes Zumba, yoga, pilates, personal training and a family bike ride around South Minneapolis. For more info, visit midtownglobalmarket.org.

West Side Juneteenth
June 17 – Noon to 4 p.m.
Parque Castillo
149 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul
The West Side Community Organization is celebrating freedom, community and history on the West Side. Featuring great food and special guests, including Dance With Purpose Dance Company, martial arts, DJs, and more. Free and open to the public. For more info, visit www.wsco.org/wsjuneteenth.

Juneteenth Minnesota – A Family Celebration
June 17 – Noon to 5 p.m.
Allianz Field
400 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul
Juneteenth Minnesota is a free family celebration that everyone will enjoy. The event will includes a celebration of hip hop, performances by Ashley DuBose, Sounds of Blackness and more, art exhibits, a kids’ fun zone, scholarship awards, a marketplace, wellness resources, and foods from across the African Diaspora. For more info, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthMN.

Richfield Juneteenth
June 17 – 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Richfield Community Bandshell
636 East 66th St., Richfield
The event will kick off with a short Freedom Walk at 11:30 a.m., beginning at the “Honoring All Veterans” Memorial. The festivities begin at noon at the Richfield Community Bandshell. This will include food, performances by Frank Gardener and his daughter Kimberly Brown and her band, DJ Jamal Guy, emcee Bukata Hayes and special guest speakers. For more info, visit bit.ly/RichfieldJuneteenth.

The Art of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – Noon to 6 p.m.
UROC
2001 Plymouth Ave. North, Minneapolis
The University of Minnesota event will feature Black vendors, speakers, workshops, poster showcases, storytellers, musicians, performers, DJs, roller skating, books, free food, free haircuts, art-making, a bouncy house and a petting zoo. The event will begin with a commemorative march at noon, which leaves from the University’s Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC). The march will end where the outdoor block party will take place. For more info, visit juneteenth.umn.edu.

Juneteenth – Celebrating Freedom Day
June 17 – Noon to 6 p.m.
Bethune Park
1304 North 10th Ave., Minneapolis
This Minneapolis Parks and Recreation event features music and entertainment by Jamecia Bennett, Jamela Pettiford, Obi Original and BdotCroc. There will also be food, entertainment, vendors and family activities. For more info, visit bit.ly/MplsParksJuneteenth.

Million Artist Movement Quilting Project
June 17 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Hennepin History Museum
2303 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis
Million Artist Movement is hosting a quilting event on the Hennepin History Museum’s lawn. The public is encouraged to attend and make a square with what they want to say to the community. For more info, visit bit.ly/QuiltingProject.

Juneteenth Celebration – Burnsville
June 17 – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
North River Hills Park
19th Ave., Burnsville
This City of Burnsville event promises musical performances, lots of dancing, kids’ crafts and more. Cave Café and Samosa Sambusa food trucks will also be present. For more info, visit bit.ly/BurnsvilleJuneteenthCelebration

2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
North Hennepin Community College
7411 85th Ave. North, Brooklyn Park
The City of Brooklyn Park’s Juneteenth Celebration will feature food, fun, and an immersive educational experience. Special guest Dr. Joy DeGruy will headline the event. For more info, visit bit.ly/BPJuneteenthCelebration.

Juneteenth Freedom Day at St. Paul Deaf Club
June 17 – 2 p.m.
Charles Thompson Memorial Hall
1824 Marshall Ave., St. Paul
Charles Thompson Hall is hosting a Juneteenth cookout for the Black deaf community and their families. Families are expected to bring their own meat to grill. For more info, visit @Charles ThompsonHall on Facebook.

ROCC the City Juneteenth
June 17 – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Dodge Nature Center
365 Marie Ave. West, West St.Paul
Residents of Color Collective are partnering with Dakota Parks, Dakota Library, 360 Communities and others for a celebration at the nature center. There will be BIPOC-owned businesses to shop from and a variety of activities and live music. For more info, visit bit.ly/ROCCJuneteenth.

Hopkins Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins
MN ROOTS! is hosting a community gathering for Juneteenth with keynote speaker, attorney Lee A Hutton, providing a history of the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. There will be musical entertainment and a BIPOC business market. For more info, visit bit.ly/HopkinsJuneteenth.

​Slow Roll MSP Juneteenth
June 17 – 6:30 -10:30 p.m.
2834 10th Ave. S., Minneapolis
The Southside is home to several bicycle-riding groups. Among them is Slow Roll, which for years has led Black and Brown folks on bike rides through Southside Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods to build community and discover history.
The first ride of the summer will honor Juneteenth. The ride, which event organizers say will end at around 10:30 p.m., will feature a dinner and a DJ performance by Chaz Millionaire of KMOJ. Slow Roll organizer Anthony Taylor says the ride will operate no faster than 10 miles per hour and will be guided by trained bike escorts who will lead participants safely through intersections. For more information about the Juneteenth event or future rides, check the Slow Roll MSP Facebook page.

Duluth NAACP Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Jun 18 – Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Central Hillside Community Center and Park, Duluth
The Duluth NAACP will host its annual Juneteenth celebration! A tradition for decades, the Duluth branch of the NAACP will once again honor and celebrate Juneteenth with free food, family fun, local vendors, community resources, music, prizes and more. For more info, visit duluthnaacp.org/Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Celebration – St. Louis Park
June 18 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Recreation Outdoor Center
3700 Monterey Dr., St. Louis Park
The City of St. Louis Park, St. Louis Park Community Education, and St. Louis Park Parktacular are partnering together for their second annual Juneteenth celebration. Enjoy Black-owned businesses, food, educational content and special guests. For more info, visit bit.ly/SLPJuneteenthCelebration.

Ginger Commodore and Friends: Legacy — A Musical Celebration of Juneteenth
June 18 – 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Crooners Supper Club
6161 Hwy 65 Northeast, Minneapolis
Enjoy musical performances from Ginger Commodore and The Black Experience that honor the musical achievements of Black American singers and musicians. Reserve a free table spot at bit.ly/GingerCommodoreJuneteenth.

Juneteenth Block Party
June 18 – 8 p.m.
30,000 Feet Center – 1351 Arcade St., St. Paul
30,000 Feet promises an eventful night full of live music, food trucks, free food, a video game truck, bouncy houses and more. Community resources such as job opportunities, housing and life insurance, will also be present. For more info, visit bit.ly/30KFeetJuneteenthBlockParty.

Juneteenth Minnesota – West Broadway Block Party
June 19 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
West Broadway from Lyndale to Emerson Avenue North
Presented by BOB Rewards Club, Juneteenth Minnesota’s block party includes Black vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, inspiring guest speakers, activities for kids and more. For more info, visit www.juneteenthminnesota.com.

Juneteenth Minnesota – Juneteenth Festival Jamboree
June 19 – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Bar Zia
420 South 4th Street, Minneapolis
Featuring Rico Nevotion, this festival will include live music and drinks. Old school hip hop, R&B and Afro beats are promised. Tickets are $5. For more info, visit www.juneteenthminnesota.com.

Juneteenth Cookout with ESBBN
June 19 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul
The East Side Black Owned Business Network’s first annual Juneteenth cookout provides a perfect opportunity to build community and connections on the East Side. There will be free food, art, and family friendly activities. A screening of “Miss Juneteenth” is at 6:30 p.m. For more info, visit bit.ly/ESBBNJuneteenthCookout.

Juneteenth Celebration at the Zoo
June 19 – 10 a.m.  to  5 p.m.
Lake Superior Zoo
7210 Fremont St, Duluth
The Lake Superior Zoo is excited to celebrate “Juneteenth at the Zoo” for 2023. In observance of the holiday, the zoo invites children, families and community to enjoy nature and learn more about conservation. On June 19, 2023, the zoo is offering a reduced admission price of $5. For more info, visit bit.ly/LakeSuperiorZooJuneteenth.

Bloomington Juneteenth Celebration
June 19 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
John F. Kennedy High School
9701 Nicollet Ave., Bloomington
This event features food trucks, music and art performances and local business vendors. For more info, visit bit.ly/BloomingtonJuneteenthCelebration.

Soul of the Southside 2023 – Juneteenth Festival
June 19 – Noon to 8 p.m.
The Hook and Ladder
3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
This festival features live music, speakers, poets, a Black-owned business marketplace, live art and food vendors. Tickets are required for guaranteed admission. Reserve free tickets at bit.ly/SoulOfTheSouthside.

Juneteenth Celebration – Maple Grove
June 19 – 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Town Green Park – 7991 Main St., Maple Grove
Maple Grove Parks and Recreation is hosting this Juneteenth celebration that includes a Black-owned vendor fair, music, food and more. For more info, visit bit.ly/MapleGroveJuneteenth.

Juneteenth Celebration – Edina
June 19 – 4 p.m.
Maetzold Amphitheater – 7499 France Ave. South, Edina
The City of Edina’s family-friendly event will feature live music and readings, a story stroll, book giveaway, other children’s activities, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden sponsored by Edina liquor. For more info, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthEdina.

Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom
June 19 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Urban Refuge Church – 5501 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis
The Urban Refuge is hosting a screening of Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom. Admission is free. For more info, visit bit.ly/URJuneteenthFaithandFreedom.

Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom
June 24 – 2 p.m.
Minnesota Orchestra – 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

The Minnesota Orchestra is honoring Juneteenth with a program that includes Adolphus Hailstork’s jubilant “Three Spirituals” and William Grant Still’s “Afro-American” Symphony. Tickets start at $12 at bit.ly/MOJuneteenthCelebrationofFreedom.