Juneteenth is coming soon. The holiday was made a federal holiday in the US in 2021, observing the anniversary of the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to release enslaved Black people two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Since 1865, Galveston communities and other regions of the US have commemorated the holiday.
In Chicago, Juneteenth will be getting a lot of love this weekend. One particular group, The Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition, has put together a calendar of events being held in the city starting Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19. You can check out their event list here.
However, you know The TRiiBE had to put a list of events together as well. If you’re still unsure of how you’d like to celebrate Juneteenth, check out our curated list below, arranged by what side of the city the event will be held in.
Out West
Juneteenth 5K Walk/Run
June 18, 2022
Garfield Park Football Field
138 South Hamlin Boulevard
8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m
The Peace Runners Club, a West Side running group, is hosting its second annual Juneteenth 5K run/walk at Garfield Park. Jackie Hoffman, a Garfield Park native, founded the Peace Runners Club on a whim on Juneteenth 2020.
Peace Runners is a nonprofit and local fitness group whose mission is to provide affordable health and wellness activities in underserved communities in Chicago. They are bringing back their run, which brought out 80 people last year.
Registration for the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18. Peace Runners will also be collecting $10 donations to help a Garfield Park youth football team. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Juneteenth Village Fest
June 18, 2022
Anna & Frederick Douglass Park
1401 South Sacramento Drive
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The inaugural Juneteenth Village Fest hosted by It Takes a Village Family of Schools (ITAV) and Village Leadership Academy (VLA) is free and open to the public. VLA students led the push to rename the park after abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass and his wife Anna in 2017. Their inaugural Juneteenth celebration recognizes the VLA’s campaign and victory in renaming the park.
The Juneteenth Village Fest includes live entertainment from comedian and radio personality Leon Rogers, the Jesse White Tumblers, activist and TRiiBE contributor Bella BAHHS, Redds Angels & Hiplet Ballerinas, and A-List Dance Group and more. There will also be activities for all ages, including a carnival with face painting, free rides and games. Black-owned food trucks and vendors will also be present at the fest.
Here is a link for more details and to RSVP.
Juneteenth & Father’s Day Celebration
June 19, 2022
3200 West Douglas Boulevard
(between Kedzie & Albany)
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m..
Light up Lawndale will host a free Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration featuring free food, drinks, games and live music. Activities include hula hoop and double dutch contests, hopscotch, potato bag sack races, bike rides and more. The special guest for the event is Traxman, a DJ and one of the pioneers in Chicago’s juke and footwork scene.
Visit Light up Lawndale’s Eventbrite page to RSVP
Out South
Juneteenth Festival
June 18, 2022
Old Jewel’s Parking Lot
11420 South Halsted Street
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Far South Community Development Corporation is hosting a free Juneteenth festival with giveaways, food, kids fun zone, vendor, music and trolley tour. To attend the Juneteenth festival, you must register. Click here for more details.
The Juneteenth BBQ & Block Party
June 19, 2022
The DuSable Museum of African American History
740 East 56th Pl.
11:00 a.m.. to 8:00 p.m.
For the second year, Chicago rappers Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa are bringing a free Juneteenth event to the DuSable Museum of African American History featuring live music and performances, art, food and fashion.
Juneteenth Black JoyRide 2022
Sunday, June 19
Formal Garden at Grant Park
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Black JoyRide, a Black cycling group, will kick off the Juneteenth festivities with its third annual Juneteenth bike. Cyclists, skaters and all are welcome to participate. This year the group will meet at the former Johnson Publishing site at 200 South Michigan Avenue and ride to the DuSable Museum of African American History for a field day. You can reach Black JoyRide by email at blackjoyridechi@gmail.com.
Juneteenth: A Day to Celebrate
June 19, 2022
12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
salonlb.
1010 West 35th Street
Suite #500
From the “Something I Can Feel Art Experience Collection,” this all-day Juneteenth celebration is a way to connect with Black creators in Chicago. Tickets start at $15 and the event includes unlimited food, music and guaranteed vibes. Click here for more details.
Over East
Juneteenth Celebration
June 18, 2022
New Beginnings Church
6620 South King Drive
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Project H.O.O.D. is a nonprofit founded by Pastor Corey Brooks and provides mentorship, training and community for residents of Woodlawn and Englewood. Project H.O.O.D. and Cigna will be giving away bags of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to the giveaway, there will be music, food, and other activities for all ages.
Juneteenth Community Cleanup & Celebration
June 18, 2022
79th Street and Greenwood Avenue
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pastor John F. Hannah’s New Life Covenant will host a community clean-up event on Juneteenth. After the cleanup, volunteers can kick back, relax and enjoy food, fun and games. Click here to register.
Juneteenth Block Party
June 19, 2022
12:00 p.m.. to 10:00 p.m.
The Woodlawn 1200
1200 East 79th Street
The Woodlawn 1200, an innovative and vibrant economic center in the Avalon Park neighborhood, is hosting a Juneteenth Block Party full of activities for children and families, including a DJ and live entertainment. The 4,000 square-foot multi-purpose facility consists of a restaurant, internet cafe, event space, commercial kitchen, rooftop yoga and gardening.
There’s a free kid’s club and festival on the lawn for children and families. Children’s activities include story time, NBA basketball drills, painting class and a movie in the lot. Other free activities include an adult dance class, Father’s Day Tournament, talent search, political power hour, comedy showcase and family fun party.
Additionally, for adults 21 and over, there is a day party from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with bottomless mimosas. Tickets start at $50 for general admission. Additionally, there’s a Sunset Mixer with unlimited specialty drinks from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and tickets start at $50 for general admission.
For more details, visit thewoodlawn1200.com
Up North
Juneteenth Black History is Our History Art Exhibit
June 18 – June 19
Pose Cultural Art Gallery
2136 West Chicago Avenue
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pose is a community-supported art gallery. For Juneteenth, a special exhibit showcasing art from artists based in Detroit, Nigeria and Brazil will be on display, highlighting the journey and story of freedom for Black America. Admission to the event is free, but the gallery is accepting donations of any size that will help the gallery continue to support the arts. You can find more details here.
Auditory Illusions Juneteenth Rooftop Day Party
June 18, 2022
1921 South Jefferson Street
2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Live spoken word, music, hookah, candles and wine will be featured at the Auditory Illusions Juneteenth Rooftop Day Party. Early bird tickets are currently sold out. However, as of publishing time, there are general admission tickets available starting at $25. General admission tickets come with one free drink. Click here for more details.
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Black Chicagoans are honoring Juneteenth 2020 their way with marches, protests, flags, food and more
“We absolutely have to stand up and do something to give this day and our ancestors their rightful recognition during this time,” Black Remembrance Project initiator LaCreshia Birts said.