CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Juneteenth, a day to honor, remember and celebrate the true end of slavery in the U.S., is entering its fourth year as a federal holiday.
This year, Juneteenth falls on a Thursday, and the Tri-State is hosting multiple events to commemorate the special day.
Check out FOX19 NOW’s list of Juneteenth events, celebrations and jubilees.
1. Juneteenth Weekend at Findlay Market
Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market is hosting weekend full of events dedicated to celebrating Juneteenth.
Organizers from Black is Excellence are hosting a group discussion with a panel to talk about the history and significance of the holiday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Columns event space.
Four Black community leaders will discuss what Juneteenth means to them and will break into groups with the audience to discuss further.
Those guest speakers are Alandes Powell, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Black Art Speaks; Dr. Steven Kniffley, a licensed clinical psychologist, associate professor and an administrator at the University of Cincinnati; Dr. Kelli Beecher, an assistant professor at UC’s College of Nursing and licensed nursing practitioner; and Norman D. Holloway with Success Via Chess.
The discussion is free, but those interested should reserve their tickets soon due to limited seating.
On Sunday, June 22, over a dozen Greater Cincinnati Black-owned businesses will take part in a Juneteenth Tasting Event between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Findlay Market.
Tickets will be available for purchase – one ticket equals one sample or $2 off an artisan item. Customers can buy eight tickets for $20 or 18 for $40.
Businesses participating in the event:
- A&D Ernest: Jollof Rice with Mild, Regular or Spicy Jollof Sauce
- Afromeals: Jollof Rice and/or Fried Rice
- All Cheri’s Intriguing Crystals: Offering TBD
- The Arepa Place: Mini Cheese Arepa
- Bouchard’s Pasta: Peach Cobbler
- Camaya Made It: Jambalaya
- The Cakepop Shoppe: Peach Cobbler Cakepop and/or Red Velvet Cakepop
- Creative Candle: $3 off 9 oz. Candle
- Dat’s Ole School Cookin’: Fried Chicken Wing and/or Strawberry Pie
- Eliza Jane’s BakeShop: Peach Cobbler Cookie
- Flourish Culinary Services: Salmon Croquettes
- Gramma Debbie’s Kitchen: Smoked Turkey Leg Dirty Rice
- Heads Up Trading Co.: Offering TBD
- Honey Child Pops: Juneteenth Mini Pop
- IMGBAT Jewelry, Art & Engraving: Offering TBD
- Jay’s Nyam & Jam: Jerk Chicken Rice & Peas
- Magnificent Morsels Catering: Shrimp and Grits
- Makers Bakers Co.: Watermelon Salad and/or Grandma’s Pound Cake
- Melanin Flame Candle Company: Offering TBD
- The Passion Plate: Southern Sushi
- Purely Nutty: One of each: Coconut Cashew Energy Ball and Sweet Spicy Sandwich Cracker
- Rocky’s Home Flavor: Jollof Rice and/or Puff Puff
- Sweet Mae’s Cookie Co.: Red Velvet Stuffed Cookie
- Twinergy Premium Beverages: Lemonade
- Walkerbar: Florida Man Ice Cream (cheesecake base, graham cracker pie crust, and lime curd)
In addition to the Juneteenth events, the weekend will also be filled with live music from Greater Cincinnati Black DJs and musicians.
Music lineup:
- Friday, June 21: DJ Ghost & Friends at Jane’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 22: Erwin Stuckey at Jane’s from noon to 2 p.m. The Cheryl Renée Project at Jane’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, June 23: DJ TizieB at Race Street Station from noon to 2 p.m. Mic Carr at Jane’s from noon to 2 p.m.
On Thursday, June 19, Findlay Market will adjust its hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2. Freedom Day in Norwood
New Vision Missionary Baptist is hosting a soul food dinner and flag dedication Saturday, June 14, in honor of Juneteenth.
Dinner sales begin at 11 a.m. followed by a Juneteenth flag presentation at 1 p.m. with guest speaker Minister Cynthia Caldwell.
Organizers will continue to sell meals until they run out. Dinners start at $20.
New Vision Baptist Church is located at 3851 Montgomery Rd.
3. Urban League’s Annual Juneteenth Block Party
Thursday, June 19, is expected to be a fun, family-friendly day for residents as the the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati hosts its annual Juneteenth Block Party.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families can head to 3458 Reading Rd. in Avondale to celebrate the federal holiday with food trucks, entertainment, community resources and games.
Radio broadcaster Lincoln Ware will also be at the celebration, highlighting Greater Cincinnati businesses and resources.
“The ULGSO Juneteenth Celebration is not just a day of festivities but a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still needs to be done in the fight for social justice. By bringing together people from all walks of life, the event fosters a sense of unity and collective purpose,” the Urban League’s website says.
4. Juneteenth Jubilee
Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is celebrating Juneteenth with its annual day-long festival and jubilee.
Located outside of the Freedom Center will be food trucks, live music and a community market that is completely free and open to the public.
Music lineup:
- DJ Vader Mixx
- 2nd Wind Band
- Mike Wade and the Nasty Nati Brass Band
Vendors at the Community Market:
- Bella Fiamma
- Cincinnati Cancer Advisors
- Camenbowen Bush
- Clovernook
- Faye’s Keepsake Journals
- The Gaskins Foundation
- Guiding Light Mentoring
- Her Curls and Craft
- KDB Events and Rentals
- Kreative SOULutions
- OCD NeeOvations Crafting
- Pour Candle Company
- Slay Safe Shop
- Stylish LeNese Boutique
- Succulent Eyez Eyewear
- TriHealth
- Zuri Ali Art
Additionally, the Freedom Center is offering free admission into the museum on Juneteenth.
5. Annual Juneteenth Festival in Eden Park
The 38th annual Juneteenth two-day festival will return to Eden Park Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 to celebrate the emancipation of those enslaved in America.
Day One will kick off with the traditional parade of flags at noon, which represents the African diaspora – the dispersion of African people due to the transatlantic slave trade and other historical factors.
After the parade, the family fun begins with horseback riding, educational activities, historical reenactments, food trucks, art displays and performances.
For those attending Day Two, the Juneteenth Festival will also honor Father’s Day with a special concert.
Festivities run from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
6. Golf Manor’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The Village of Golf Manor is hosting its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration at Volunteer Park Friday, June 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Many vendors and organizations will be at the park for the special event.
Customers will be sure to find handmade jewelry, food and beverages, apparel, art and community services.
7. Northern Kentucky Juneteenth Celebration
Northern Kentucky is having several Juneteenth events over the weekend, including its annual celebration.
On Saturday, June 14, the festivities begin with the Freedom Parade at 11 a.m. starting at 9th and Greenup streets and making its way to Covington Landing.
Afterward, the Black Excellence Award Ceremony will take place, followed by day full of performances, activities for families, and a variety of vendors.
A second parade will happen Sunday, June 15, starting at 9 a.m. at Dixie Highway and Garvey Avenue in Elsmere.
8. Cincinnati Juneteenth Parade
Cincinnati’s 4th annual Juneteenth Parade will take place Sunday, June 15 at 10 a.m.
The half-mile parade will start at the corner of Court and Linn streets and will end at the corner of Plum and Richmond streets near City Hall.
Spectators are encouraged to wear purple.
9. Miss Juneteenth Film Screening
“Miss Juneteenth,” a film about a former beauty queen turned single mother trying to prep her teenage daughter for the Miss Juneteenth pageant, is showing at the Woodward Theater June 16.
Tickets are $14.99 and can be bought here.
The market opens up at 6 p.m., and the movie will begin at 7:30 p.m.
10. For Family By Family & City of Florence Juneteenth Celebration
The City of Florence is teaming up with For Family By Family to host their third annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 at the Florence Natural Park and Event Center.
This year’s theme is “Family Reunion: Embracing Our Roots. Empowering Our Future.”
The educational, fun day begins at noon with the Memorial and Educational Ceremony.
Event-goers will get to indulge in food, enjoy live music and partake in family-friendly activities.
11. Juneteenth Block Party at the Banks
Cincinnati’s Juneteenth Block Party returns to the Banks Saturday, June 21 with DJs, the “Divine 9″ sororities and fraternities, live performances and much more.
In 2024, over 27,000 people attended the riverfront block party, and this year, organizers believe it’s going to be bigger.
The fun begins at 4 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m.
12. Young Black Genius Juneteenth Block Party
On Saturday, June 21, Sweet Sistah Splash and the Cincinnati Young Entrepreneurs are hosting the Young Black Genius Juneteenth Block Party: Black Wall Street edition at Ziegler Park.
This event will showcase young Black entrepreneurs and leaders in Greater Cincinnati through a business fair lens with child/teen vendors.
Tri-State food trucks, vendors and live performances will also take place at the event from noon to 4 p.m.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2025 WXIX. All rights reserved.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag