CLEVELAND, Ohio — Celebrated for more than a century and a half before becoming a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth marks the symbolic end of slavery in the United States.
The day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and announced General Order No. 3, declaring freedom for enslaved people there — two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Throughout Northeast Ohio, cities and organizations have been marking the holiday — often referred to as Black Independence Day — with special events and celebrations.
Here is a variety of local Juneteenth events to check out:
African American Cultural Garden’s Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
The African American Cultural Garden will host a Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at its Martin Luther King Jr. Drive venue. The celebration includes the screening of film documentary “The Journey: A Place to Call Our Own!”
Cleveland Heights’ Djapo Juneteenth Culture Fest
In collaboration with the city of Cleveland Heights, Djapo’s 16th annual Juneteenth Culture Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14 at Cain Park. The event celebrates freedom, culture and community through vibrant dance, live music, soul food, interactive workshops, a dynamic vendor marketplace and children’s activities.
Disciples Christian Church Juneteenth celebration
Disciples Christian Church’s 4th annual Juneteenth celebration will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 15 at 3663 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights. The day will feature live performances, delicious food and fun activities for all ages.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Our Stories and Neighborhood
The annual Juneteenth: Celebrating Our Stories and Neighborhood takes place from noon to 4 p.m.on June 14 at the historic Dunham Tavern (6709 Euclid Ave., Cleveland). The community-centered event highlights the rich stories, voices and contributions of Black Clevelanders past, present and future. Families, friends and neighbors are invited to honor the legacy of emancipation and uplift the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. The event includes live music, spoken word performances, local food vendors, Black-owned businesses, interactive storytelling, history exhibits, family-friendly activities and art stations.
Juneteenth Freedom Fest
The fifth annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest takes place from noon to 8 p.m. on June 14 at downtown Cleveland’s Mall C. The event boasts live entertainment, food from local Black-owned vendors, retail shopping opportunities and interactive programming for all ages. There will be performances by The Unit eXperience Project, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, Tri-C Dance Academy, Cleveland Chorale, Siaara Freeman and Glenville Glamourettes. The day ends with a Juneteenth tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, presented by Karamu House in celebration of its 110th anniversary.
Juneteenth in University Heights
Now in its fourth year, University Heights’ Juneteenth celebration — taking place from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 21 at Walter Stinson Community Park — celebrates the rich culture of African Americans and the community’s diversity, as well as commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The family-friendly educational and entertaining event features two stages with live music, dance and spoken word performances. There are also interactive educational and fitness programs, delicious foods and beverages, vendors, artists and craftspeople.
Juneteenth Oberlin
The 30th annual Juneteenth Oberlin returns for a weekend-long celebration with its annual event around the George A. Abram Pavilion and the nearby Roundhouse lawn. The affair kicks off with a fashion show from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 13 followed by all-day festivities from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14. Food vendors, merchants and local non-profits’ informational booths will be on site. Children’s activities will be offered all day, including horseback riding. The June 14 Juneteenth parade at noon features musicians, dancers, clowns with candy, motorcycles, old school cars, Dazzling Diamond Steelmen Cheerleaders, Deltas and Freedom Riders on horseback. The day ends with a 6:30 p.m. memorial service held at Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin.
Juneteenth Wooster-Orrville Afro-Culture Celebration
The sixth-annual Juneteenth Wooster-Orrville Afro-Culture Celebration takes place from noon to 8 p.m. on June 14 at Orr Park in Orrville. The community cookout is billed as a powerful, family-friendly celebration of Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino culture through music, free ice cream, food, dance and unity. Attendees are encouraged to bring fans and grills — or something to grill — for the potluck-style event.
Medina’s Juneteenth Celebration
The fourth-annual free Medina Juneteenth Celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 14 at the city’s public square. The day includes guest speakers and live performances by Sanyuka Children’s Choir and Motown Jazz Band of Cleveland with guest speakers Danita Harris and Kenny Crumpton, as well as food trucks, shop vendors and fun activities.
Mx. Juneteenth: A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 21 at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Mx. Juneteenth celebrates its fifth anniversary of presenting Black and queer freedom, creativity and community during the Juneteenth holiday. The festive affair features live music, drag performances, local vendors, food trucks, interactive art and community installations and family-friendly activities.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument’s Juneteenth Celebration
The Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, which honors the citizens of Cuyahoga County who fought and worked for the Union in the Civil War, hosts a family-friendly Juneteenth Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 19 at Public Square. The program is dedicated to the origins of Juneteenth, including readings of General Order No. 3 and dialogue about its meaning. Story time featuring books from the Cleveland Public Library, coloring stations, snacks and Monument tours will also be available for guests.
South Euclid’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Presented in partnership with the Beachwood City Schools’ African-American Affinity Group, Garfield Memorial Church’s free Juneteenth Community Celebration takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 19 at the Beachwood High School football stadium (25100 Fairmount Blvd.) Building on the success of previous years, 2025 promises to be even bigger and better. The Juneteenth Community Celebration features a wide variety of free family activities, including a movie truck showing “Piece by Piece,” a DJ, a photo booth, games and more than 60 vendors showcasing their goods.
Ursuline College’s Juneteenth Celebration
The fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration presented by Ursuline College and Pepper Pike is a free affair taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 14 on the college campus. Enjoy live music, games, food, art and local vendors.
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