A full slate of block parties, cookouts and performances will take place in and around Hyde Park this Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Below is a list of Juneteenth events happening across the mid-South Side this weekend through next week. If we missed one, email us at hpherald@hpherald.com and we’ll add it to the list.
Bronzeville’s 2025 Juneteenth Celebration: Honoring the Legacy of Freedom
3500 S. King Dr., spans two blocks from 35th to 37th streets on the east side of King Drive. Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
The theme of the fifth annual Bronzeville Juneteenth Celebration is “Honoring the Legacy of Freedom: Remembering the Past, Inspiring the Future.” The celebration will feature local vendors, small businesses and service providers, live performances and cultural showcases and family fun.
The event is co-hosted by The Black Star Project, FAM Entertainment Company, Absolutely Anything Essential, the Bud Billiken Parade and the Office of State Representative Kam Buckner.
For more information, visit bit.ly/4kZ2cod.
(Right) Monica Moore of the Committed Knitters teaches Waldo E. Johnson Jr., Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Chicago, the basics of knitting during the group’s Juneteenth event at the Greenline Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Blvd., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Juneteenth with the Committed Knitters
Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Blvd. Wednesday, June 18, 11 a.m. Free.
The Committed Knitters are celebrating freedom, creativity and collective care one stitch at a time during their bi-weekly knitting group meeting next Wednesday.
“This gathering is more than a crafting circle—it’s a space to honor history as we build new connections,” an event description reads. “Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just curious about picking up some yarn, you’re warmly invited to come knit, crochet, learn, and connect with fellow makers of all experience levels.”
There will be complimentary snacks and drinks, special giveaways and free yarn and needles for all participants. No experience is necessary.
For more information, visit bit.ly/4kyPMnn.
Juneteenth Annual Community BBQ at the DuSable
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Pl. Thursday, June 19, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free.
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is hosting a day-long Juneteenth celebration filled with music, performances, education and activities for the entire family.
A central event at this year’s celebration is a panel discussion on the role of religion in the Black Power Movement, featuring local pastors and clergy. That panneled will be followed by a Black Power Gospel Concert.
The celebration will also feature a family-friendly game area, an African marketplace, a theatrical production of “1619: The Journey of a People” and a screening of the film “Living Proof.” As in years past, musical performances, arts workshops, food tastings and more will also take place all day.
From 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., the nonprofit Mather will run a relief printing workshop for adults ages 55 and older. This workshop is a tribute to the late DuSable founder, Dr. Margaret Burroughs.
For more information, visit bit.ly/4dVTLI0.
People board a 1949 GMC bus, the same model that Rosa Parks was arrested on for protesting racial segregation in 1955, during the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center’s annual Juneteenth celebration, 740 E. 56th Pl., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Juneteenth Extravaganza on Ellis
A Polished Work Inc, 1000 E. 76th St. Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
A Polished Work, a Grand Crossing nail salon, is hosting a block party full of nail art demos, live music, food, kids activities, cultural showcases and more.
For more information, visit bit.ly/3FU5cDC.
Juneteenth Celebration: For Our Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Miyagi Records, 307 E. Garfield Blvd., L1 Retail Store, 319 E. Garfield Blvd., and The Listening Space, 305 E. Garfield Blvd. Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
Miyagi Records, L1 Retail and The Listening Space are joining forces for a Juneteenth event focused on reflection, joy and togetherness.
“This curated gathering is for family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who believes in the power of freedom, memory, and music — to not just look back, but also build forward,” an event description reads.
Miyagi, the Washington Park record shop, will host open decks for vinyl or digital DJs all afternoon. Nextdoor, L1 Retail will have 10 local vendors of handmade goods, art, fashion and more. All of these vendors represent Black-owned businesses or entrepreneurs.
On the same block, The Listening Space is running a “Liberation Library” out of its storefront, offering a reference room of publications celebrating freedom. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own books and chat about what they brought with others in the space.
Food vendors and drinks from Miyagi’s HomeCourt Collective coffee shop will also be on site all day.
For more information and to reserve a spot, visit bit.ly/44cvIRQ.
Juneteenth For The Culture Market
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. W. Thursday, June 19, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free.
Hyde Park’s The Promontory will host a pop-up market celebrating Black business in Chicago. Vendors will represent various businesses and artisans from beauty to fashion, as well as food.
For more information, visit tycjuneteenth25.eventbrite.com/.
Community Archiving & Digitization Day: Preserving Our Stories
Regenstein Library, 1100 E. 57th St. Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
The University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library is hosting a hands-on event honoring Black history, memory and storytelling. Community members are encouraged to bring photographs, letters and documents for on-site digitization and guidance from library and special collections experts. Attendees will leave with a high-capacity flash drive filled with digitally preserved memories.
Registration is required but the event is free and open to all. The first 50 guests will receive archive-in-a-box kits. Light refreshments, giveaways and resources will also be provided.
For more information, visit bit.ly/4kyQ0ed.
Aaron Beswick (left) and his son Isaiah fill up their plates during the Southside YMCa’s Juneteenth celebration, 6330 S. Stony Island Ave., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
South Side YMCA Juneteenth Celebration
South Side YMCA, 6330 S. Stony Island Ave. Saturday, June 21, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
The South Side YMCA is hosting a Juneteenth celebration the following Saturday. An event rooted in community, the day will feature live performances, cultural and fitness activities, local vendors, food and games for the whole family. Proceeds from the event will directly support youth development programs at the South Side YMCA.
“This is more than a celebration — it’s a call to honor history, uplift Black voices, and invest in a brighter, more equitable future,” an event description reads.
For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/4jKIkEs.
Bronzeville Building Back Better
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th St. Sunday, June 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Closing out a week of Juneteenth activities, Bronzeville’s Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church will host a celebration highlighting community builders in business, arts, real estate development and faith.
The Mahdi Theater Company will perform “Bronzeville The Musical,” a production that has been performed in Chicago and New York. The event will also feature a run-down of new developments in the area since 2020, and future developments.
For more information, contact church elder Sharon Johnson Louis at 773-344-2679.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag