Juneteenth Chicago 2023

June 19th is the REAL freedom day when the word that slavery had ended finally reached the enslaved people of Galveston, TX.

A holiday just as important as the 4th of July, and with Chicago being a major destination

of freed African Americans fleeing the Jim Crow south in the Great Migration,

this is the perfect city to celebrate in!

 

Here are some fantastic ways to celebrate this weekend!

 

 

 

Juneteenth Story Time

• Remember our virtual story time from 2020? If you can’t make it out to any of the below events, watch our Colors of Chicago story time of Juneteenth For Maisie!

 

 

 

Juneteenth Jubilee at Bronzeville Children’s Museum

• Saturday, June 17th from 1 -3 PM
• 9301 S. Stony Island Ave
• $5 per person, members free
• Interactive fun activities!

 

Juneteenth & Father’s Day Celebration

• Harold Washington Cultural Center Parking Lot: 4701 S. King Dr.
• Sunday, 6-18-23 from 1 -3 PM
• “M.A.D.D. Rhythms returns on Sunday, June 18th at 1 p.m. with the arts partners of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Bronzeville businesses, for its annual Juneteenth celebration. This afternoon celebration includes live dance, DJ and music, complimentary food, workshops, raffles, art and children’s activities.”
• Performances by M.A.D.D Rhythms, Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre, Blu Rhythms Cru, Broadway In Bronzeville, The Happiness Club, & Chicago Tap Theatre
• Free admission

 

Juneteenth Freedom Ride on the Major Taylor Trail

• Monday, June 19th 9 AM – 12 PM
• Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center: S Western Ave & W 87th St, Chicago
• “Come out and celebrate Juneteenth with the Forest Preserves of Cook County on the Major Taylor Trail! This will be a 16-mile round trip ride on paved trails from Dan Ryan Woods to Whistler Woods. There will be an option to turn around early and shorten the ride to 8 miles. Check-in will begin at 8 am at Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center and the ride will start at 9 am. Youth must be accompanied by an adult and helmets must be worn by all participants. A limited supply of helmets will be available to riders who need one.”

 

Beverly / Morgan Park Juneteenth Family Festival

• Saturday, June 17th 2023
• Beverly / Morgan Park: 110th & Longwood Dr.
• 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Dancers, drummers, singers, and dancers will be gracing the stage!
  • Activities for all age groups, from sports, storytelling, and games for children to dance, drumming, and healing circles for adults.
  • Vendors selling interesting items, including Afrocentric retail, clothing, art, hand-made gifts, toys, jewelry, accessories, and more!
  • Attendees will have access to health education, vaccinations, dental exams, mental health resources, health screenings, health and fitness workshops, and more!
  • Attendees can purchase delicious food and sweet treats from some of Chicago’s best restaurant vendors and popular food trucks!

 

1865 Fest

• Friday – Sunday, June 16th – 18th 2023
• GARFIELD PARK’S MUSIC COURT DRIVE (THE CIRCLE) MADISON & MONROE/HAMLIN & CENTRAL PARK, CHICAGO, IL
• Friday:
  • -Honoring Black Veterans & Current Military Service Members
  • Flag Raising Ceremony
• Saturday & Sunday:
  • Cultural family activities, educational workshops, live music & food
• Sunday
  • Fathers Day Grill off
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Music & food

 

Juneteenth “Community Recommitment” Celebration

• Monday, June 19th 10 AM – 7 PM
• “Paint The Hood Orange In Pullman” The color orange represents the national anti-gun violence movement and the event’s mission of violence prevention.
• The day of festivities begins at 10 a.m. with a parade that leads into the block party and basketball tournament.

 

 

Dusable Museum Juneteenth Community BBQ

• Monday, June 19th: 10 am – 8 pm
  • Special tribute celebrations for the 50th anniversary of hip hop
  • Petting zoo, horseback riding, drum village, inflatables, games, music, food, and more!
• Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See is a touring exhibit created in collaboration with the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the Till family, and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. It tells the story of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, challenging visitors to make a ripple for justice in their own communities. This exhibit will be at The Dusable Museum until July 16th.

 

Civil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery

• Free on Monday June 19th
• Advance reservations required
• 1035 E. 67th St., by the S. Greenwood Ave. gate
• “Hear the stories behind the people buried at the beautiful and tranquil Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side, from important local African Americans who fought for Civil Rights to Confederate prisoners of war.”

 

2023 Juneteenth Village Fest

• FREE family-fun with rides, games, food, and more to celebrate Juneteenth! Hosted by Chicago’s It Takes A Village Family of Schools.
• Sunday, June 18th 12 – 8
• Anna & Frederick Douglass Park 1401 S. Sacramento Dr Chicago, IL 60623

 

Chicago Mahogany Tours

• Come explore Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood w/ Dilla!
• Book online to reserve a time slot for Sunday June 18th
• “Visit sites like the birth place of Black History Month, the Eighth Infantry Armory, and the Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Building. Gain a better perspective of the historic south side and learn how it changed the world. From the 1st open heart surgery, to Ida B. Wells-Barnett mansion there is a ton of history to be seen. And we can’t forget Pilgrim Baptist Church, which is consider the birth place of gospel music.”

 

The Woodlawn’s Juneteenth Block Party

• Monday, June 19th from 12 PM – 8 PM
• The Woodlawn 1200: 1200 East 79th Street Chicago
• Mark your calendars for the incredible Juneteenth block party! Our talented DJs will spin infectious tunes that will keep you grooving all afternoon. Treat your taste buds to a delectable array of culinary delights from a variety of food vendors. Join us from 12-8 and immerse yourself in the celebration of freedom, accompanied by fantastic music, mouthwatering food, and unforgettable family fun. Don’t miss this vibrant Juneteenth experience!

 

Liberated: A Juneteenth Celebration

• Forest Park Public Library: 7555 Jackson Boulevard Forest Park
• Saturday, June 17 · 11am – 2pm
• “Together we are honoring this beloved holiday through art, music and community! We’ll have a writing circle,children’s books, arts and crafts and even a reflection/open mic segment towards the end of the program. So yes, there will be something for the whole family! Also, did we mention that food will be sponsored by Chicago Chicken and Waffles in Oak Park? Yes, our community partners are adding a delicious meal to add to the celebration. Can’t wait to see you there and check out our Juneteenth collection to rock your Black Art gear at the event.”

 

Evanston’s Juneteenth Parade and Celebration

• Saturday, June 17th, 2023
• Parade start time: 10:30 AM Robert Crown Community Center
• Celebration: Noon – 6 PM Ingraham Park (back of Civic Center)
• “Juneteenth (6/19) is a historic day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is a day of celebration, remembrance, and reflection and is now a federal holiday! In honor of this day, we are organizing the 4th annual Juneteenth Parade to celebrate the Black community’s resilience and contributions to our society.
  The parade will provide an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the progress that has been made since Juneteenth, but also recognize the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality while bringing more awareness by parading in the streets.”

 

Naperville’s Juneteenth Celebration

• Rotary Hill 440 Aurora Avenue Naperville
• Saturday, June 17 · 12 – 3pm
• “Join Naperville Neighbors United as we celebrate Juneteenth with the community. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the music of Harmony & Soul as well as the Divine Sound Gospel Choir. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets! We will have soul food tastings available!”

 

Oak Park’s Juneteenth Celebration

• June 18th
• Parade starts at 11 AM followed by Community cookout until 5 PM
• “The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Longfellow Park near Jackson Boulevard and will march north on Ridgeland Avenue to Augusta Street. Community groups and organizations are invited to participate in the parade, which is being organized by members of the community. Following the parade, a community cookout sponsored by the Village and the Park District of Oak Park will be held at Taylor Park, 400 Division St. The cookout will feature food (barbecued meat, vegan options, dessert), drinks, a DJ, live entertainment, games and more. Ahimsa Yoga Studio will also be providing free yoga classes at Taylor Park during the cookout at 2 p.m.”

 

 Juneteenth Joy Fest

• June 24th, 2023 from 2-5 PM
• Berwyn: Proksa Park, 3001 Wisconsin Ave
• “Happy Juneteenth! Our goal is to infuse Black Lives Matter & Black Liberation content with Black Music Month into a celebration of life and manifestation of freedom while showcasing unity.Please join us in advocating and in celebrating!”
• Food, music, games, double dutch contest

 

Eat at a Black owned restaurant. The full list of restaurants is available at the Black People Eats Instagram account: 

 

Don’t forget about our Bronzeville Scavenger Hunt!

• Thousands of African Americans fled the Jim Crow south and created a Black metropolis in the Bronzeville area of Chicago.
• Juneteenth is the perfect day to explore this historical area and our scavenger hunt from Black History Month is a wonderful way to explore!