Celebrate Juneteenth in Philly with art, food, and culture at these 9 events
There is no one way to commemorate Juneteenth, but Philly offers plenty of activities to celebrate in your own way.
In recent years, Juneteenth (celebrated annually on June 19) has become a weekend celebrating food, family, and music, but it was not always so.
The origins of the holiday, a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, hearken back to President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, effectively freeing enslaved people across the United States — but until June 19, 1865, not every enslaved person was free. It took an order from Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger enforcing the proclamation in Galveston, Texas, to effectively free the still-enslaved people of Texas and elsewhere.
In 2021, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday, but Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf recognized the date in 2019 as a state holiday. Long before these recognitions, though, Black families around the country have marked the date with colorful gatherings, symbolic meals, and more.
Though the holiday is Monday, June 19, events begin as early as June 17.
Festivals, block parties, and museum exhibitions will be taking place all over Philly this weekend. Here’s what you need to know about some of the upcoming Juneteenth events.
» READ MORE: What you need to know about Juneteenth and why we are now all celebrating
The annual Juneteenth Festival returns on Saturday, June 17, from noon to 7 p.m. Organized by Germantown’s Johnson House Historic Site, this free celebration brings music, food, fashion shows, history lessons, and reenactments to the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue. If you are there around 2 p.m., don’t miss the unveiling of the city’s first Juneteenth mural, Absolute Equality-Juneteenth, at Germantown ArtHaus.
📅 June 17, 📍 6306 Germantown Ave., 📞 215-438-1768, 🌐 johnsonhouse.org
Folks over 21 can spend Friday evening drinking wine from Black-owned wineries Cyrenity Sips, Blacoak, and Mark & Val at Cherry Street Pier. Philadelphia’s house music vocalist Lady Alma, songwriters Shirley Lites and Carla Gamble, and vocalist Ashley Scott will perform from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 on eventbrite.com.
📅 June 17, 📍 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., 🌐 eventbrite.com
Woodmere Art Museum celebrates the work of late local children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney. The Germantown native grew up in Philly, overcoming segregation and dyslexia, and became an award-winning artist. On June 17, his wife, author Gloria Jean Pinkney, will visit the museum to read some of Pinkney’s memoir Just Jerry from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged — email amonroe@woodmereartmuseum.org.
📅 June 17, 📍9201 Germantown Ave., 📞 215-247-0476, 🌐 woodmereartmuseum.org
Between June 17 and 19, the Museum of the American Revolution will host eight activities to commemorate the holiday. You can expect virtual tours, in-gallery talks about freedom and poetry, and free virtual theatrical performances of the life of abolitionist James Forten. As well as the premier of the sold-out documentary “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia,” and the special exhibit that carries its name.
📅 June 17-19, 📍101 S. Third St., 📞 215-253-6731, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org
On June 18, commemorate Juneteenth with a parade and a festival. Dance groups, food, and live music will kick off the celebration at Malcolm X Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Around 11 a.m., folks will gather at the intersection of 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue for a parade that will end at the festival grounds.
Road closures beginning at 7 a.m.
South Concourse Drive between Avenue of the Republic and Belmont Avenue
Closed from 11 a.m. until end of parade
Parkside Avenue between 53rd Street and Belmont Avenue
52nd Street between Parkside Avenue and Cedar Avenue
Closed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
5100-5200 Pine Street
5100-5200 Larchwood Street
200-600 South 52nd Street
400 South 53rd Street
400 South 51st Street
5200 Addison Street
5200 Osage Avenue
📅 June 18, 📍5100 Pine St., 🌐 juneteenthphilly.org
Support local artists at the Juneteenth Freedom Market. On June 18, over 40 local vendors will congregate at NextFab, a collaborative maker space in Kensington. From noon to 5 p.m., enjoy an indoor/outdoor event packed with handmade arts and crafts, music, food, and more.. A raffle will raise money for Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, an organization mentoring young men in Philly.
📅 June 18, 📍 1800 N. American St ., 🌐 eventbrite.com
For Juneteenth, dive into art that explores, ”Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?” — a collaborative project done in partnership with the African American Museum in Philadelphia. PAFA will showcase the work of 11 artists — including artists Shiva Ahmadi, Alison Saar, and Saya Woolfal, at noon. Admission is free, but registration is strongly encouraged. Sign up at community.pafa.org.
📅 June 18, 📍 118-128 N. Broad St ., 📞 215-972-7600, 🌐 pafa.org
Between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the museum hosts storytime, performances, art workshops, and activities dedicated to tiny humans. Children can learn about Black musicians, be part of a collaborative mural, and enjoy a parade directed by the West Philadelphia High School Drumline. Tickets are $19 and can be purchased at pleasetouchmuseum.org.
📅 June 19, 📍 4231 Avenue of the Republic, 📞 215-581-3181, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org
Commemorate Juneteenth at AAMP’s block party and free museum day. This year’s theme is “Liberation Rising,” and Grammy award-winning DJ Spinderella will be playing. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., make art, watch performances, and check out dozens of local vendors. Admission to the museum is free, but registration is encouraged. Sign up at aampmuseum.org.
📅 June 19, 📍701 Arch St., 📞 215-574-0380, 🌐 aampmuseum.org