While June 19 is recognized as a federal holiday, Juneteenth celebrations are already underway in Northeast Ohio and will continue through the end of the month.
June 19, 1865, marks the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston learned of their emancipation, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation giving enslaved people their freedom.
Signal Cleveland has created a list of events celebrating the holiday.
Cleveland Juneteenth events
Juneteenth Celebration at Dunham Tavern
What: The Hough neighborhood and the Dunham Tavern continue their collaboration for a day of culture, education, live performances and family fun! Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. When: June 14, 12-4 pm. Where: 6709 Euclid Avenue.
16th Annual Juneteenth Culture Fest
What: The Djapo Cultural Arts Institute presents the 16th Annual Juneteenth Culture Fest. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Freedom.” Highlights include African dance and drum workshops, family arts and crafts, a Black-owned marketplace, and a free musical performance by local musician/journalist, teacher Afi Scruggs from 1:40-2:25 pm in the Alma Theater. The day’s activities culminate with an 8 pm concert on the main stage. Tickets for the concert are $25 for amphitheater seats; $15 for lawn seating. When: June 14, 11 am-6 pm. Where: Cain Park, 14591 Superior.
4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Exhibition at Ursuline College
What: Enjoy live music, games, good food, art, and shop local vendors, and free health screenings. Included in the day’s festivities – from 3-4:30 pm – will be the opening reception of the exhibition Crown Unbound: The Church Hat Collections of Veda Rawlings & Ellen Berts, featuring more than 20 magnificent hats worn by Veda Rawlings and Ellen Berts, former First Ladies, who served at Cleveland area churches. The exhibit also showcases NEO artists David Buttram, Thomas Hudson, Myrya Johnson, Joyce Morrow Jones, LaSaundra Robinson, Terra Turner, Jerome White, and Tony Williams whose work captures the church hat vibe. When: June 14, 11 am-4:30 pm. Where: 2550 Lander Road.
What: Get ready for a day of family-friendly activities at Metrohealth Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Mall C in downtown Cleveland. Live performances, food trucks, vendors, community performers, and more. Highlights include a special musical tribute to Frankie Beverly by Karamu House, and tours of a special traveling exhibit of seven-foot-tall talking drums adorned with artwork from 10 Cleveland artists. This project was made possible by the non-profit organization The Stories of Us. Tours of the artworks will be conducted at 2, 4 and 6 pm by Ashley Shaw Scott-Adjaye, Co-founder and Co-CEO of The Stories of Us. Works from their 2024 show in Detroit are currently on exhibit in Tower City and will remain there through August. When: June 14, 12-8 pm. Where: Lakeside Avenue and West Mall Drive.
What: Come celebrate Juneteenth at the Fulton Branch of the Cleveland Public Library as members of the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers share Juneteenth stories. Crafts and refreshments will follow presentation. When: June 16, 1-2 pm. Where: 3545 Fulton Road.
Meet the Composer: Errollyn Wallen at East Cleveland Public Library
What: For their 2025 Juneteenth celebration, the East Cleveland Public Library presents an afternoon with Errollyn Wallen, a Belize-born British composer and one of the world’s top 20 most performed living classical composers. Events include a performance of Remember, Marimba; a discussion with the audience, and an art activity organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Wallen’s visit culminates with a free concert at 6 pm in the Greg Reese Performing Arts Center. When: June 17, 2:30-5 pm. Where: 14101 Euclid Avenue.
Crown Unbound: The Church Hat Collections of Veda Rawlings & Ellen Berts. Credit: Ursuline College
Juneteenth Celebration at Soldiers and Sailors Monument
What: The celebration will focus on the origins of Juneteenth and include reading of General Order No. 3 and dialogue about its meaning. Story time featuring books from the Cleveland Public Library’s inventory, coloring stations, snacks and Monument tours will also be available. When: June 19, 11 am-3 pm. Where: 3 Public Square
What: Stop by the Memorial/Nottingham Branch of the Cleveland Public Library to learn about the history of Juneteenth while making keepsake buttons. Age-appropriate activities planned for teens and tweens. When: June 21, 1-3 pm. Where: 17109 Lakeshore Blvd.
Third Space Action Lab Bet on Black Events
What: Third Space Action Lab is celebrating Juneteenth by hosting events throughout the month including a Soiree Garden Party at the Rockefeller Greenhouse, a TSRR Book Club discussion of Happy Land, a meet and greet with authors Cebo Campbell and Bree Baker, an intergenerational lunch, a yoga/meditation session and much more. When: Select dates through June 29. Where: 1464 East 105th Street #302.
Akron events
JUNETEENTH 2025 WITH THE AKRON URBAN LEAGUE
What: Get ready for a day of live performances, Food trucks, Local vendors, Family-friendly activities and more at the Akron Urban League headquarters. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, reinforces the importance of unity and community resilience. This event is in collaboration with the Akron NAACP and The Freedom Bloc. When: June 21, 11 am-6 pm. Where: 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION & PARADE
What: Parade from the Buchtel Community Learning Center to the John Brown House (514 Diagonal Road). Activities include tours, live music, entertainment, vendors and more. When: June 21, Parade steps off at 11:30 am. Celebration from 12-3 pm. Where: 1040 Copley Road. Sponsored by the Village Keepers of Ohio, Buchtel PTA, and the Summit County Historical Society.
JUNETEENTH MUSICAL CELEBRATION AT JILLY’S
What: B&V Community Resource House will host a Juneteenth celebration featuring live music, food and vendors. In conjunction with the Downtown Akron Partnership. When: June 21, 7-11 pm. Where: 111 N. Main St.
Cincinnati events
Village of Golf Manor Juneteenth event
What: Golf Manor presents its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration. Enjoy an afternoon of food, music, activities and vendors including artists, jewelers, healthcare advocates, and so much more. When: June 13, 4-9 pm. Where: Volunteer Park, 6441 Wiehe Road.
Midwest Regional Black Culture Fest
What: Enjoy food, music, a natural hair show, a fashion show, spoken word artists, a Black Money Matters panel discussion and more. For the kiddos there’s face painting and a skating performance. Presented by the National Commission for Black Arts and Entertainment. When: June 14, 12-5 pm. Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street.
38th Annual Juneteenth Festival
What: This two-day festival kicks off with the traditional flag parade representing the African diaspora. Engage in family-friendly activities including horseback riding and historical reenactments, drum lines, and spoken word performances by the Voices of Freedom Poets. Day 2 will include a Father’s Day concert, praise dancers, choir performances and more. When: June 14, 12-9 pm; June 15, 2-6 pm. Where: Eden Park.
Make Your Own Juneteenth Flags
Use easy outline and craft supplies to make your own Juneteenth flags. No registration necessary. When: June 17, 4:30-5:30 pm. Where: The Avondale branch of the Cincinnati Public Library, 3566 Reading Road.
Preservation in the Park: Ezzard Charles tribute
What: Stories about legendary boxer Ezzard Charles (The Cincinnati Cobra) have resounded throughout the city for years. That tradition continues as Cincinnati Preservation and Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses share stories about Charles’ celebrity. When: June 17, 5:30-6:30 pm. Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street.
Juneteenth Jubilee at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
What: A day of dynamic live performances on the plaza and unique vendors awaits attendees. Inside the Freedom Center, guests can enjoy mini-tours and drop-in activities. Thanks to a generous donation from the Fifth Third Foundation, admission to the Freedom Center during this event is complimentary. When: June 19, 10 am-6:30 pm. Where: 50 East Freedom Way.
Juneteenth Block Party Celebration
What: The Urban League of Southwestern Ohio presents the 4th annual Juneteenth Block Party with food trucks, family-friendly games, and hands-on art, all while local radio legend Lincoln Ware broadcasts live from the event. When: June 19, 10 am-1 pm. Where: 3458 Reading Road.
Paloozanoire’s 6th Annual Juneteenth Block Party
What: Cincinnati’s largest and most-anticipated event returns with Food Truck Alley, DJs, an upgraded Family Zone and the return of the Homecoming Experience honoring the Divine 9 fraternities, sororities and alumni organizations. Free, but RSVP required. When: June 21, 4-11 pm. Where: The Banks, East Freedom Way.
Black Wall Street and Juneteenth Block PartyWhat: The Cincinnati Young Entrepreneurs and Sweet Sistah Splash present a young entrepreneurs business fair with food trucks, live music, line dance classes, a T-shirt printing station, youth resource speakers and much more. When: June 21, 12-4 pm. Where: Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore Street.
Columbus events
Juneteenth Fretless Freestyles Concert
The Columbus Cultural Youth Orchestra presents an evening of student composers with a unique set list of fresh beats and powerful improv solos that honor the culture. Tickets are $12 and $23 and can purchased through Eventbrite. When: June 14, 7-8:30 pm. Where: Harmony Center, 4411 Tamarack Blvd.
Juneteenth Commemoration at King Arts Complex
What: A day of activities including a Juneteenth Poetry Slam, community yard sale, live music, local vendors and more. When: June 19, 10 am-3pm. Where: 835 Mount Vernon Avenue.
What: Get ready for a vibrant celebration of culture, community and history through educational reenactments, food demonstrations, film screenings, live music and much more. This is a free event, but registration is strongly encouraged. When: June 19, 12-4 pm. Where: Ohio History Center, 800 East 17th Avenue.
What: The MLK branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library invites you to participate in their literary extravaganza! Indulge in books, authors, music, refreshments, prizes, children’s activities, health screenings and more! Register for this event through Eventbrite and be entered into a drawing for $25 gift cards. When: June 22, 1-5 pm. Where: 1467 East Long Street.
Juneteenth 2025 – Kelton House & Museum
What: The Kelton House Museum and Garden will host an afternoon of poetry readings, and African drumming by Akwaaba- an All-Women’s West African Drum Group. Poets include Susann Moeller, Chiquita Mullens Lee, Karen Scott and Rose M. Smith. Free admission, but please register. When: June 22, 2-5 pm. Where: 586 East Town Street.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag