Lineup announced for Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival, parade

DENVER (KDVR) — This year’s Juneteenth festival in Denver will be shorter than usual but still features a variety of entertainment for everyone, including live music, food vendors, beer, a boxing tournament, games and more.

The Juneteenth Music Festival was previously a two-day event; however, this year’s event was scaled back to one day after a sharp decline in corporate sponsorships.

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JMF Corporation, the nonprofit behind the annual event, pleaded for help from the public last month to make sure the event could continue and remain free for all attendees this year.

“We may have scaled down to a one-day format this year, but the spirit and impact of Juneteenth will be just as strong,” JMF founder and organizer Norman Harris said in a press release. “Even with fewer corporate sponsors, the community has shown up with heart, creativity, and generous donations.

On Thursday, the event organizers announced the 2025 itinerary and lineup for the festival happening on Sunday, June 15.

Before the festival, there will be a kick-off party at Spangalang Brewery at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

Festivities begin with the parade at 11 a.m., marching from Manual High School through the Five Points area. The parade will be led by Grand Marshal Fathima Dickerson of Welton Street Café, and will feature civic leaders, youth groups, nonprofits, car clubs, local organizations and more, JMF said.

Dawon Baker carries a sign to round up marchers from the University of Colorado to take part in a parade to mark Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Denver. Several events were being staged around the Mile High City as well as nationwide to commemorate June 19, 1865, when African-Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
A woman carries a sign during a parade to mark Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Denver. Several events were being staged around the Mile High City as well as nationwide to commemorate June 19, 1865, when African-Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hundreds of people came out for the 2023 Denver Juneteenth Music Festival. (Courtesy the Denver Juneteenth Music Festival)
Young girls pose for the camera. They were dressed to perform during the 2023 Denver Juneteenth Music Festival parade. (Courtesy the Denver Juneteenth Music Festival)
A man walking in the 2023 Denver Juneteenth Music Festival parade poses for the camera. Hundreds of people came out for the 2023 Denver Juneteenth Music Festival. (Courtesy the Denver Juneteenth Music Festival)
A DJ performs in front of hundreds of people who came out for the 2023 Denver Juneteenth Music Festival. (Courtesy the Denver Juneteenth Music Festival)
Amari Valentine holds her 6-month-old niece Myra during a parade to mark Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Denver. The event commemorates June 19, 1865, when African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Crowds gather along Welton Street in Five Points for the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Organizers say its one of Denver’s longest running parades dating back to the 1950’s where “nearly 3,000 people march to honor the struggles and social progress achieved through marches and demonstrations organized for freedom, justice, and equality in our countrys history”. This year’s theme for the event is Dream Big. (Photo by Kathryn Scott/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Crowds gather at one of the stages on Welton Street in Five Points for the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Organizers say its one of Denver’s longest running parades dating back to the 1950’s where “nearly 3,000 people march to honor the struggles and social progress achieved through marches and demonstrations organized for freedom, justice, and equality in our countrys history”. This year’s theme for the event is Dream Big. (Photo by Kathryn Scott/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m.

There will be two live music stages with a mix of national and local talent, including Juvenile headlining at the main stage, as well as Danae Simone, Trev Rich, Tony Exum Jr., Bella Scratch, Beasts of No Nation and more.

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The festival will also include a limited-edition beer release, youth boxing tournament, games and activities for youth and families, wellness resources and health screenings, local vendors and more.

The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., and JMF said the festival is a cultural celebration as well as a call to action, blending cultural expression with education and activism.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the grassroots financial support that helped make this celebration possible. We’re proud to honor the legacy of liberation and celebrate the future of Black excellence right here in Denver,” Harris said.

The Juneteenth Music Festival will be one of the fewer than usual chances that Coloradans have to celebrate Black history in the Five Points neighborhood. The traditional Five Points Jazz Festival will not return in 2025, and instead, the new Five Points Jazz Activation Fund will go toward businesses, nonprofits and creatives to be used for jazz and jazz-related programs throughout the year. One of those opportunities was the Five Points Jazz Roots event in February.