Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is a day of reflection, education and celebration. It’s also the time to recognize the legacies of local Black luminaries like Harold Washington, Ida B. Wells and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. In honor of the momentous occasion, communities all across the city are throwing Juneteenth events and programming. From markets at the top museums to parties in Bronzeville and Morgan Park, these are some of the best ways to celebrate Black culture in Chicago.
In honor of Juneteenth, Bronzeville will play host to a village-themed celebration of freedom and community. The day will feature family-friendly programming including live entertainment, interactive activities and local artists and small businesses. Historians and artists will also be on hand to share stories and creative pieces that commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
June 17, noon-6pm. 3521 S. King Dr. Free, RSVP here.
For the third year in a row, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is hosting a community barbecue on Juneteenth. The day will include family-friendly activities like a petting zoo and horseback riding, as well as musical acts, a marketplace, food vendors, games and more. There will also be a special discussion session and performance by rapper Kool Moe Dee in honor of the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
June 19, 10am-8pm. DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. Free, RSVP here.
The fourth annual Juneteenth Family Festival in Morgan Park will be the biggest one yet and feature live entertainment and activities for all ages, such as storytelling and games. You can also shop for art, jewelry, clothing and more from Afro-centric vendors, grab a bite from a food truck or get a checkup at a mobile health center.
July 17, 11am-7pm. 110th Street and Longwood Drive. Free.
This three-day Juneteenth event in Garfield Park put on by community organizations and members kicks off with a military honors ceremony. The weekend will also feature cultural workshops, family activities, live music and a Father’s Day grill off.
June 16-18. Garfield Park Music Court Circle. Free.
Refine Collective and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago are teaming up to host the third annual Juneteenth Freedom Market, which will feature over 50 Black-owned businesses, live entertainment, a free welcome cocktail and a wine tasting with Mmmm...Just Enjoy. Purchase your ticket ahead of time to save $5.
June 16, 5pm-9pm. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. $20-$25, purchase tickets here.
Head to The Promontory in Hyde Park on Juneteenth for a pop-up market featuring Black-owned Chicago businesses. You’ll be able to shop for beauty products, candles, art, clothing and much more from 30 outlets. Food vendors will also be on site, and DJs will provide the beats.
June 19, 2pm-7pm. The Promontory. Free, RSVP here.
The American Writers Museum will celebrate the work of Black writers and artists on Juneteenth with an evening of festivities. It’ll include a reading from Jaha Nailah Avery’s Those Who Saw the Sun, a collection of oral history narratives from the time of Jim Crow in the South, plus a gallery talk with Dorothy Burge, Damon Reed and Dorian Sylvain— Chicago artists featured in the special exhibit Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice.
June 19, 6pm. American Writers Museum. Free, RSVP here.
The 20th annual African Diaspora Film Festival showcases a selection of international films that explore the experiences of people of color all over the world. This year's lineup includes Ludi, a film that follows a hardworking nurse chasing the American dream in Miami, and Move When the Spirit Says Move, a documentary about civil rights activist Dorothy Cotton. Visit the festival's website for the complete schedule.
June 15-18. Facets and Gene Siskel Film Center. $15 per screening.
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