Crowd gathering at a past Juneteenth Festival. (Credit: Juneteenth Philly)
June 19, 1865, was a revolutionary and historic day, marking the effective end of slavery in the United States more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 2021, June 19th was made a federal holiday, known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, which commemorates the day that Union General Gordon Granger announced the freedom of slaves in Galveston, Texas.
In Philadelphia, Juneteenth will be celebrated across the city and through the weekend.
On Thursday, the Juneteenth Block Party will be hosted outside of the African American Museum, which will also offer free admission from noon to 7 p.m.. This year's theme is “Audacious Freedom: Celebrating 160 Years of Emancipation”.
The block party will have live music from Slick Rick, DJ Drama, Kid Capri, Keke Wyatt, Lady Alma, and more. This event is perfect for those of all ages, offering a beer garden, food trucks, book giveaways, educational panels, and more.
For the sixth year, the Millennial Juneteenth Festival is back with the theme “Black Outside” on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is hosted by the nonprofit group Millennial Juneteenth, a volunteer organization aimed at reaching millennials.
The festival will be hosted at the 48th and Woodland Playground and will offer live music, dance, and poetry performances, and shopping at Black-owned businesses.
With free admission for all ages, the National Constitution Center celebrates those who fought for freedom for all. The museum will highlight the history of Juneteenth and share stories of freedom fighters, such as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The full-day event will feature historical shows, crafts, and more.
For the third year, Cherry Street Pier at the Delaware River waterfront will host the free Juneteenth Wine and Arts Festival from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m..
The event is hosted by The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc., in partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Everything from wine tasting, live music, and craft vendors will be included at the event. All ages are welcome to join; however, to participate in the wine tasting, you must be 21 or older.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Philadelphia’s Juneteenth Parade and Festival returns for the ninth year.
The annual event has become the largest event in the country that celebrates the federal holiday. At 11 a.m., to kick off the festivities, the 1.5-mile-long Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade will begin at The Mann Center and march down 52nd Street to Malcolm X Park, wrapping up around 2 p.m.. The parade will have marching bands, drill teams, dance ensembles, floats, and more.
The festival and marketplace will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Malcolm X Park. The event will host food vendors, retail vendors, and live music from Lady B, Lil’ Mo, DJ Cupid, and Fat Man Scoop.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in a sectioned-off area at Malcolm X Park, the Children’s Village will offer games, face painting, photobooths, and more.
From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the festival will offer free health screenings in partnership with the Association of Black Cardiologists.
