Juneteenth

Juneteenth – short for June Nineteenth – commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, but the last enslaved Americans weren’t freed until June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and slavery in the United States was abolished.

Free Texans celebrated “Jubilee Day” in 1866 and the idea of commemorating the end of slavery slowly spread to communities across the rest of the country until Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. Grand Rapids has been officially marking the occasion before the 1990s. Today, we salute and support events that honor the history, culture and progress of African Americans – and invite you to join in a week of celebration.

Saturday June 14

The Rock the Block street festival includes live performances, food trucks, family activities, resources and more at the corner of Madison Ave. and Hall St. The event is presented by Linc Up, which has worked to achieve racial equity in Grand Rapids for two decades.

https://www.lincup.org/rock-the-block

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and the Ebony Road Players team up for West Michigan’s Loving Day Celebration honoring the 1967 Supreme Court case that made interracial marriage legal across the U.S. The event celebrates the many faces of family with activities for kids.

Thursday, June 19

The Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration features floats, food, games, drumming, dancing, singing, giveaways and more. That parade begins at noon and winds its way south on Eastern Ave. to Dickinson Park for a community celebration.

The 5^th annual Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam is a free community celebration of Black art, entertainment, culture and experience in Calder Plaza.

The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives presents the 4^th annual Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream Juneteenth Scholarship Gala at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Honoring the 2025 scholarship recipients whose achievements embody the hopes of generations past and the promises of those to come, the event includes dinner, music, dancing and networking.

Chicago Beef Joint Celebrates Juneteenth with an evening of live blues and good vibes to accompany its Chicago-style sandwiches and hot dogs.

Friday, June 20

Visit the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives , an invaluable community resource showcasing the unique historical and cultural contributions of local African Americans and people of color to our region and the world

Enjoy a meal at one (or more) of the city’s Black-Owned Restaurants today (and throughout the year).

Saturday, June 21

The On the Block Family Reunion is a Juneteenth weekend event in Garfield Park featuring 3-on-3 basketball, a Double Dutch contest, board games, live music, arts and crafts, and more.

It’s R&B Night at Social Dance Studio, where you can let loose and have fun to the smooth beats of DJ Dre and DJ Michael Page Jr.

Sunday, June 22

See four-time Grammy Award-winning Gary Clark Jr. perform his inimitable blend of blues, rock, soul, hip hop and R&B at Meijer Gardens.

If you’re visiting Grand Rapids for Juneteenth Week, you’re also invited to attend these concurrent cultural events: Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival (June 15) World Refugee Day Block Party (June 20) and Grand Rapids Pride Festival (June 21-22). Visit our Events page for more things to do during Juneteenth and our Hotels page for accommodations.