What is Juneteenth?
The museum is hosting a special community BBQ this year. Featuring food, vendors, live performances, a kid’s corner, horseback riding, and more.
The expansive event is free for all and includes a special performance from Kool Moe Dee on the Theater State to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop!
Attend a series of additional events happening at the Ames Auditorium and the Outdoor Stage along with a variety of Campus Activations and more.
The museum is the first independent museum dedicated to the history of African and African American culture. Head inside to explore the expansive exhibits and gather on the historic lawn for great food and community fun.
Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
2. Go on a tour with Chicago’s favorite historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas
Chicago’s urban historian is hosting a special Juneteenth South Side Tour this year. Departing from the South Side Culture Center on Monday, June 19th, the 2-hour tour highlights various landmarks and neighborhoods along with a beach party at the end.
Address: 7059 S South Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60649
3. The Refine Collective is hosting a Juneteenth Freedom Market with MCA Chicago
Attend a market featuring 50 local Black-owned businesses at the Refine Collective’s Juneteenth Freedom Market! Located at the Museum of Contemporary Art, this celebratory market seeks to highlight Black creativity, entrepreneurship, and art in Chicago.
Featuring a live performance by the 40+ Double Dutch Club, shoppers will get a chance to learn how to jump rope!
Address: 220 E Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
Head to Douglas Park on Sunday, June 18 for a free celebratory festival. Hosted by ‘It Takes a Village to Feed a Family’ the ‘Juneteenth Village Fest’ goes from 12 pm to 6 pm.
This year’s Juneteenth celebration will feature live performances, food vendors, community organizations, and fun carnival rides!
Address: 1401 S. Sacramento Drive Chicago, IL
5. The Juneteenth Market at The Promontory Chicago
Celebrating Black business in Chicago, the free pop-up market is to take place on June 19. There, you’ll find plenty of vendors celebrating Black beauty, food, and fashion. Over the years, the space has turned into a popular Let’s Party For The Culture dance party with tickets going for $15.
Address: 5311 S Lake Park Ave W, Chicago, IL 60615
6. Celebrate at Bronzeville’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration
Gather together on Saturday, June 17 ‘strengthen the roots that tie us all together’ at Bronzeville’s Juneteenth celebration.
This year’s celebratory theme of strengthening roots centers local historians, performers, and creatives in the ‘Chicago at the Absolutely Anything Essential’ showcase. from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Featuring family-friendly programming from live performances to local artists and small business spotlights. Come together as local artists share stories, and celebrate Juneteenth’s significance.
Address: Absolutely Anything Essential 3521 S King Dr, Chicago, IL
7. The 1865 Coalition is celebrating Juneteenth with a 3-day festival at Garfield Park
From June 16-18th, Garfield Park is coming together to celebrate with a 3-day experience featuring educational programming that centers and enhances Black culture. The family-friendly festival includes informational workshops, live music performances, a variety of activities, and great food to enjoy!
Address: Garfield Park Gold Dome 100 N Central Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60624
8. Attend this year’s Juneteenth Festival in Hyde Park
Local dance companies ‘The Hawkins House of Horton’ and ‘The Silver Room’ will perform at this year’s Juneteenth Fest over in Hyde Park.
Located at the Harper’s Court, the annual celebratory event will take place on Sunday, June 18th, featuring fun performances, exciting dance classes, plenty of food, and community-centric activities with Connect Gallery, yoga and meditation sessions with Lululemon, an artist talk Kalief Dinkins, and more!
Address: Harper’s Court 1510 East Harper Court Chicago, IL 60615
9. Head to the American Writers Museum for a Juneteenth Celebration
The American Writers Museum is celebrating Juneteenth on Monday, June 19 with a day of events including live reading of Those Who Saw the Sun, Jaha Nailah Avery’s new collection, along with gallery talks from featured artists in the Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice exhibit.
And a special talk with Chicago artists Dorothy Burge, Damon Reed, and Dorian Sylvain on what it means to them to create representations of America’s legendary Black authors for the exhibit.
Address: 180 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
10. Tour historic Bronzeville
The neighborhood is also known as the city’s Black metropolis. Take part in the Chicago Mahogany Tours, which meets at the DuSable Museum of African American History. The tours on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, are sure to be particularly special given the holiday.
Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
[Featured image from Shutterstock]