Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free.
Both a federal holiday and Pennsylvania state holiday, June 19 is now an opportunity for each of us to recommit to the work of equity, equality and justice. We encourage you to join in this work by participating in one of the many Juneteenth events to celebrate, educate and advocate in and around the Greater Philadelphia area.
Chester County Juneteenth Festival
June 12, 2022 - July 5, 2022
Location: online and various locations
Chesco is going all out with a three-week-long countywide Juneteenth festival that seeks to showcase the truth of America’s racial history through art, music and open dialogue. One highlight: Joshua Bennett, a poet and professor at Dartmouth College, will be giving a performance at Longwood Gardens mixing poetry with music. There are more than 40 events, some virtual, across the entire festival; locations and ticket requirements vary. To learn more, click here.
Preparing for Juneteenth: A Conversation about Racial Justice and the Jewish World
June 13, 2022 | 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
For the third year in a row, Rabbi Sandra Lawson — Director of Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism in Wyncote, PA — and Tema Smith will join the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief Jodi Rudoren to talk about how to observe the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States and the challenges facing Jewish communities around racism and inclusion. This talk will be recorded and sent to registrants. To register, click here.
Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration in Downtown Trenton and Mercer County
June 18, 2022 - June 20, 2022
Location: Downtown Trenton and Mill Hill Park, NJ
The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, in partnership with N.J. Legislative District 15 and Outdoor Equity Alliance, is hosting a three-day Juneteenth celebration. Activities will include youth art activities, poetry and storytelling for all ages, health and wellness activities, cultural performances and more. To learn more, click here.
Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival in West Philadelphia
June 19, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
Location: Malcolm X Park (5100 Pine St.), Philadelphia, PA
Juneteenth Philly is hosting a series of events including a freedom march, an "Art in the Park" exhibit and a Philadelphia Juneteenth Freedom Day Float House Competition. Please note: the annual parade has been canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. To learn more, click here.
Flag Raising Ceremony and Planting of the “Freedom Evergreen” in West Chester
June 19, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Charles Melton Arts and Education Center, West Chester, PA
The Melton Center is hosting a Juneteenth celebration with a flag raising ceremony, poster and essay contests, a ceremonial tree planting celebration and more.
Juneteenth Celebration at the Please Touch Museum
June 19, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
Location: Please Touch Museum, Fairmount Park, PA
Philly’s hands-on and kid-friendly museum has created a complete day of programming that’s both educational and engaging. Children can craft their own self-portraits, enjoy a storytelling session about the history of Juneteenth, and become mini scientists by taking part in workshops that mimic the research of African American engineers and inventors. And the kitchen will be serving up a special menu of Juneteenth-inspired dishes. Online registration required. To learn more, click here.
Juneteenth Parade and Festival in Cherry Hill
June 19, 2022 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Croft Farm, Cherry Hill, NJ
Cherry Hill's first annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival will include more than 25 vendors, face painting, sack racing, live music and more. To learn more, click here.
PECO Go 4th and Learn: Juneteenth
June 19, 2022 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Stop by the African American Museum in Philadelphia for art projects, educational programming and a free book giveaway as part of Wawa Welcome America, which kicks off this year on Juneteenth. To learn more, click here.
Juneteenth Celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
AAMP is hosting a daylong outdoor celebration with live music, free museum entry and local vendors. To learn more, click here.
City Athletics Hosts a Free Juneteenth Celebration for the Community in Tioga-Nicetown
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Athletics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
City Athletics is inviting the public to a Juneteenth celebration with a barbecue, inflatable slides, pony rides, face painting, and live music. To learn more, click here.
Griot Tale Saturdays: Juneteenth Edition
June 19, 2022 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Franklin Square, Market East, PA
This Juneteenth event features a griot, an African oral historian who shares narratives through a mix of storytelling and music. If that isn’t unique enough, there will also be live reenactor portrayals of the U.S. Colored Troops, an army regiment of African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War. To learn more, click here.
Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival in Germantown
June 19, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Johnson House Historic Site, Philadelphia
Stop by this former Underground Railroad station for educational activities and entertainment in honor of Juneteenth. This year's event will include a panel discussion titled Philadelphia Health Crisis: The High Rate of Gun Violence. To learn more, click here.
Black Wall Street Restored Juneteenth Festival in Germantown
June 19, 2022 and June 20, 2022: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Vernon Park, Philadelphia, PA
This event aims to bring a new awareness of Black wealth and unity to local communities with activities including a Juneteenth Fashion Show. To learn more, click here.
Brothas Stroll: Walk for Black Men’s Health
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.
Location: Enon Tabernacle Church, North Philadelphia, PA
This community-based walk brings together African American men of all ages to encourage conversations about physical and mental health, cultural awareness and more. Facilitated by the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the Department of Public Health, the event also provides men with free colon cancer and blood pressure screenings on-site. To learn more, click here.
Allentown Marks Juneteenth
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Allentown, PA
The City of Allentown will observe Juneteenth with a family-friendly celebration beginning with a flag raising and culminating in a 20-minute fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. Other events will include a pageant and live music with dancing.
Juneteenth Festival at Stenton Park and Stenton Museum
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Stenton Park and Stenton Museum, Philadelphia, PA
This event will include storytelling and reenactments, as well as an interactive musical performance. The Stenton Museum will be free and open to the public during the event. To learn more, click here.
Everybody Eats Juneteenth One-Year Anniversary
June 19, 2022 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Malcom X Park, West Philadelphia, PA
Everybody Eats, a chef-led nonprofit that aims to combat food insecurity, held a number of events in 2020 to support Philadelphia communities, providing food, personal hygiene items and other supplies to residents in need. This year, the team is hosting a special Juneteenth One-Year Anniversary event to commemorate the organization’s birthday — and, of course, to observe the Juneteenth holiday. Expect giveaways, music and free food. To learn more, click here.
Saturday Night Jazz: Juneteenth — A Holiday for All
June 19, 2022 | 5:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Location: Woodmere Art Museum, North Philadelphia, PA
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the holiday while getting your groove on, look no further than the Juneteenth showcase at the Woodmere Art Museum. While Woodmere hosts Saturday-night jazz performances weekly throughout the summer, this special Juneteenth show will include music from King Sunny Ade, Max Roach, and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. To learn more, click here.
Brothas Stroll: Walk for Black Men’s Health
June 19, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.
Location: Enon Tabernacle Church, North Philadelphia, PA
This community-based walk brings together African American men of all ages to encourage conversations about physical and mental health, cultural awareness and more. Facilitated by the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the Department of Public Health, the event also provides men with free colon cancer and blood pressure screenings on-site. To learn more, click here.
“Freedom” at Longwood Gardens
Multiple days: June 18 - 19, July 22, and August 27, 2022 | 9:15 p.m.
Location: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Three nights a week, Longwood Gardens illuminates its fountains in a breathtaking light show. This year, the gardens will honor Juneteenth with special “Freedom’’ programming that includes the usual light-show performances accompanied by music from beloved African American singers such as Nina Simone, Andra Day and Aretha Franklin. To learn more, click here.
Topics on Turf: Racial Justice Learning for Juneteenth
June 20, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Matthias Baldwin Park, Philadelphia, PA
Come to Matthias Baldwin Park to join Tribe 12, Moishe House and Jewish Grad Network for a Juneteenth Topics on Turf conversation. We will look at Jewish texts related to racial justice and talk about how our tradition compels us to create a more just society. Bring your own dinner at 6:00 p.m. – snacks and drinks will be provided. Learning begins at 6:30 p.m. To register, click here.
Drive-In Film at the Navy Yard: Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten
June 21, 2022 | 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Navy Yard, South Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Film Society is partnering with the African American Museum and WHYY to present a drive-in showing of Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten. The film examines the destructive impact of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a deadly attack on African American homes and businesses by white residents in Oklahoma. The screening will be free for attendees, but pre-registration is required. To learn more, click here.
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia recommits to honoring the stories and achievements of Black Americans and to working towards freedom and liberation in our time.