CHICAGO — Whether you’re looking to celebrate Juneteenth with a party, a history lesson or something else, there’s something for everyone in Chicago.
Juneteenth is the federal holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, when traveling federal troops informed the last groups of enslaved people living in Galveston, Texas, of the end of slavery in the United States two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
June 19 is regarded by many as the United States’ second independence day.
Block Club has rounded up dozens of events where you can celebrate, connect with local resources and learn about the importance of the day.
Did we miss a Juneteenth event in your neighborhood? Email the details to newsroom@blockclubchi.org and we’ll add it to our list.
North/Northwest Side
Planks and Pistils Floral Installation
June 19-22
Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St.
Planks and Pistils, the florist responsible for running Derrick Rose’s pop-up flower shop at the beginning of the year, is creating its annual Juneteenth flower installation in Seward Park beginning June 19. This is the seventh year of the installation, and it will be named “A Higher Law” and focus on “how the care and protection of Black life is fueled by a higher law,” according to its website. There are no tickets to the installation, though donations are appreciated.
Virgin Hotels Chicago’s Juneteenth Celebration
3-9 p.m. June 19
203 N. Wabash Ave.
Virgin Hotels Chicago is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration. This event will include food and live music. General admission tickets cost $25.50, but there is a free ticket option for arrival prior to 5 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration with Chicago Theater Works
4-9:30 p.m. June 19
1113 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago Theater Works is hosting its Juneteenth Celebration at its Lakeview location. The day will include food, music and dancing to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. From 4-6:15 p.m., there will be a vendor showcase open to the public. Then, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., there will be a ticketed artist showcase. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and you can buy them here.
Juneteenth Rhythm & Blues Cruise
6-10:30 p.m. June 19
DuSable Harbor, 200 North Breakwater Access
Anita Dee Yacht Charters is hosting a Juneteenth Rhythm & Blues Cruise. The cruise is for people 21 and older and will include music from DJ Surprize. The boat will board at 6 p.m. and depart 6:45 p.m., and it includes a cash bar and food. Tickets are $75 plus fees, and VIP tickets are available by request.
Jubilee & Resource Fair
1-5 p.m. June 19
1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Voice of the People in Uptown is hosting a Jubilee & Resource Fair at Harry S Truman College. This event will include a live DJ, food and a variety of community partners showcasing their work. Attendees can connect with local organizations and discover resources available to them. Tickets are free and can be secured here.
Juneteenth Breakfast with Jonathan Eig
7:30-9:30 a.m. June 19
1001 N. Crosby St.
Renew Chicago is hosting a Juneteenth breakfast and interview with Jonathan Eig, the best-selling author of biographies about Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and other icons. Eig will speak about the powerful intersection of race and sports based on his experience researching and writing about trailblazers who broke into their industries. Rod Dixon, an internationally celebrated tenor, will perform as well. Tickets are free here.
The Emancipation Ball
Doors open 6:30 p.m. June 18
3057 N. Rockwell St.
Hosted by Moor’s Brewing Co. at Rockwell on the River, the annual Emancipation Ball will include an open bar featuring Black-owned beer, wine and spirits companies, arts, and entertainment. General admission tickets are $150 and VIP tickets are $225. They can be bought here.
Juneteenth Freedom Market at The Salt Shed
5-10 p.m. June 17
1357 N. Elston Ave.
Refine Collective’s fifth annual Freedom Market will showcase more than 70 Black artists, entrepreneurs and business owners from across the city selling a variety of products from art prints to skin care. While the event is free, a $10 donation to the Gray Matter Experience is suggested. Tickets can be found here.
Transcendance: A Black Trans Variety Show
7-9 p.m. June 19
2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Transcendance will host its Juneteenth edition of its Black trans variety show. The event will take place at Dorothy and includes local black trans bands, burlesque and drag performances. Tickets are $16.24 and can be bought here.
Juneteenth Line Dance Celebration
6:30-8:30 p.m. June 19
1026 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Hosted and taught by Karielle Williams, this is a line dancing event. The event is donation-based, thought no one will be turned away, and it is a celebration of “Black joy, rhythm and community.” Goodie bags will be first come, first served, and light refreshments will be provided. Get tickets here.
South/Southwest Side
Juneteenth Festival in West Pullman
1-6 p.m. June 21
821 W. 115th St. at the southwest corner of Halsted and 115th Street
The Far South Community Development Corporation is hosting its annual Juneteenth Festival. This free event is open to all ages, and it includes live music, food from local Black-owned restaurants and a resource vendor fair with social service, housing and government agencies. Register for the event here.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the festival, a free housing workshop that will provide assistance and advice to renters and first-time homebuyers will take place. From noon-1 p.m., a free small business workshop will also take place. Registration is required for both events.
My Block, My Hood, My City Juneteenth Service and Celebration
10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 19
Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.
My Block, My Hood, My City is hosting a day of service and celebration. From 10-11:30 a.m., volunteers will distribute box fans and water to older people across the city to help prepare them for warm temperatures. Following volunteering, there will be a celebration with food, music and activities noon-2 p.m. The event is currently at max capacity, but donations are still welcome.
Credit: K’Von Jackson/Block Club Chicago
Official Black Yacht Weekend Welcome Party
6 p.m.-midnight June 19
1339 S. Wood St.
The official Black Yacht Weekend 2025 Juneteenth Kickoff Party is meant to be a celebration of Black joy. This event will include live DJ sets, food, dancing and more. Some tickets are sold out, but there is still the opportunity to get general admissions and VIP tickets here.
For The Culture Market
2-9 p.m. June 19
5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
This pop-up market will take feature vendors in fashion, beauty and other industries and will also have food stands. The event is free.
BPN Chicago Juneteenth Mixer
6-9 p.m. June 19
218 S. Wabash Ave.
The Chicago chapter of Black Professionals Network is hosting a mixer at Urban Alliance Chicago. The purpose of the mixer is to celebrate, network and be inspired, and special guests are to be announced. Seating is limited an refreshments will be served. Currently, there is a two-for-one ticket deal, and general admission tickets are $28.52. They can be bought here.
Boxing Out Negativity’s Juneteenth Celebration
3-8 p.m. June 19
1616 S. Avers Ave.
Boxing Out Negativity is hosting a Juneteenth celebration along 16th Street from Ridgeway to Springfield to honor freedom, unity and cultural pride. Entry to the event begins 3 p.m. and the carnival and food will last 4-8 p.m. Free tickets are here.
Faith & Freedom: Connecting with the Spirit of Juneteenth
5:30-7:30 p.m. June 18
2744 W. 63rd St.
Hosted by the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, this community reflection event will take place at the Iman: Inner-City Muslim Action Network Food Distribution Center. Led by youth leaders, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth and Black liberation. A light dinner will be served. Free tickets can be found here.
Juneteenth, the Great Migration, & Bronzeville
11 a.m.-noon June 21
70 E. Pershing Road
Bronzeville historian Bernard Turner will conduct a lecture on Bronzeville’s part in the Great Migration. The lecture will focus on the Great Migration’s effect on the South Side neighborhood. Tickets are $12.51 and can be bought here.
Black Joy & Wellness
2-6 p.m. June 18
5491 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
The Brown People Foundation will host a joy and wellness event at Promontory Point. The event includes a restorative yoga class, massages and sound healing. To get tickets, attendees must make a donation of any amount.
Community Organizing Teach-In
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 28
6200 S. Drexel Ave.
At this community organizing teach-in, ottendees will learn about how political education and community organizing is liberating through hands-on activities, discussions and role play. Free tickets are here.
SupAfrique – Juneteenth Edition
6-10 p.m. June 20
1857 W. 16th St.
DJs Calid B, Nick Jones and Dyaspara will play sets inspired by a vibrant fusion of African and African American cultures. Food and drink vendors will also be at the 21-and-older event. Tickets are free and can be found here.
Juneteenth Celebration & Community Convening
10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18 at 63rd and Halsted streets
4-7 p.m. June 18 at 63rd and Justine streets
Hosted by Teamwork Englewood, this event is meant to be a day full of music, food and community. There will also be a mechanical bull, line dancing and other activities throughout the day. Free tickets are here.
Juneteenth with the Committed Knitters
11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18
329 E. Garfield Blvd.
Knitters of all abilities are welcome to the Committed Knitters Juneteenth celebration and knitting circle. Through knitting and crafts, the goal is to honor history and build connections. Free tickets can be found here.
Juneteenth – From Captivity to Freedom
6:30-9 p.m. June 19
231 S. State St., No. 4
The Downtown Islamic Center is hosting a film screening and discussion. It will show “From Captivity to Freedom: Emancipation & Islam,” which discusses Black Muslim enslaved people in America and their role in fighting for freedom and dignity. A discussion will follow, and pizza will be served. Tickets are $7.18 and can be bought here.
West Side/West Loop
Ohenewaa’s AfroBrunch
1-5 p.m. June 22
1125 W. Van Buren St.
This rooftop brunch will be hosted by Ohenewaa’s Kitchen. Attendees can buy tickets with or without food included. The food, inspired by West African and Southern cuisine, will be unlimited with a food ticket. The event also includes a live DJ who will play a mix of Afrobeat, R&B and soulful classics; signature cocktails; and tributes to Black excellence. Early bird tickets are on sale and cost $33.85 with no food included and $60.54 with food included.
Juneteenth Fair and Father’s Day Celebration
Noon-5 p.m. June 14
4024 W. Madison St.
This Juneteenth and Father’s Day celebration will take place at Levelz Style Lounge. Hosted by the Fawohodie Foundation, the event includes music, food and giveaways. Tickets are free and can be bought here.
Juneteenth Give Back Cookout
9 a.m. June 19-1 a.m. June 20
660 W. Lake St.
B-EATS and the Refine Collective are hosting a night of food, music and community. DJs Francesa Eva, Jordan Martin, Just. one and DJ Ca$h Era will play the event at MONEYGUN. Free tickets can be found here, and RSVP is required.
Juneteenth Celebration featuring The Magnificent Mile Orchestra
6-8 p.m. June 19
916 W. Fulton Market
The Magnificent Mile Orchestra will play jazz, R&B and hip-hop at Time Out Market. The six-piece band includes piano, bass, saxaphone and two vocalists. Free tickets are here.
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