Juneteenth Chicago 2025

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

• Thursday, June 19th from 1 -3 PM
• 9301 S. Stony Island Ave
• $5 per person, members free
• Interactive fun activities!

Harold Washington Cultural Center Juneteenth Celebration

• Harold Washington Cultural Center Parking Lot: 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Dr.
• Saturday, 6-21-25 from 1 -3 PM
• “M.A.D.D. Rhythms returns  with the arts partners of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Bronzeville businesses, for its annual Juneteenth celebration. This afternoon celebration includes live dance, music, food, workshops, raffles, art and children’s activities.”
• Featuring Broadway In Bronzeville, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Dorothy Jeanius S.T.E.A.M. Institute, Sammy Dyer School Of The Theatre, Move Me Soul, Creation Chicago Footwork, Chibuck Movement, Golden Knights Drill Team and Otez on the 1’s & 2’s
• Free admission

Cook County Forest Preserve Juneteenth Events

• Thursday, June 19th
  • 11 AM & 12 PM: Juneteenth Reflection Walk:

    • Join Rooted Routes for a reflective guided or self-guided hike along the Dogwood Trail at Sand Ridge Nature Center, available at 11 am or 12 pm.

    • This hike invites participants to connect with the powerful legacy of Juneteenth through narratives of freedom, history, and nature. Led and curated by multidisciplinary artist and programmer Joyy Norris, the journey includes creative prompts to enhance your experience. The hike will conclude with a moment of interactive reflection at Sand Ridge Nature Center, where participants can engage in voice recording, writing, and other forms of creative expression and sharing.

  • 2 PM & 5PM: Juneteenth River Boat TourPaddle along the African American Heritage Water Trail. Presented by Beaubien Woods Youth Outdoor Ambassadors & Openlands.
    • Beaubien Woods Boat Launch: E 132nd St, East of S Greenwood Ave Chicago, IL 60827

  • 6 PM: Juneteenth Freedom Ride: Cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. BYO-bike and helmet for the 16-mile loop ride.
    • Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center

Beverly / Morgan Park Juneteenth Family Festival

• Saturday, June 14th 2025
• Beverly / Morgan Park: 110th & Longwood Dr.
• 12 PM – 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

• Wednesday – Friday, June 18th – 20th 2025
• The 1865 Juneteenth  Fest” Kick Off” begins Wednesday 6/18/25, 3pm with the  “Juneteenth Military Honors Flag Raising Ceremony” at the Gold Dome,100 N. Central Park, Chicago IL 60624
• The 1865 Fest community, family and cultural experience dates are Thursday (Juneteenth) 6/19/25 (12pm-8pm) and Friday 6/20/25 (3pm-8pm) at the Music Court Circle.(Hamlin – Central Park south of Madison St)

The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum Presents Juneteenth Youth Olympics and Celebrity Flag Football

• Thursday, June 19th 9 AM – 7 PM
• Gately Park Stadium: 803 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628
• Parade begins at 9 AM, 11 AM Youth Olympics
• 2 PM: Six neighborhood-inspired teams—Westside Panthers, Pullman Porters, Englewood Red Tails, Northside Soldiers, Southside Moors, and Eastside Freedom Riders—battle for bragging rights and the Juneteenth championship.
• 7 PM: Finale concert at Harold Washington Cultural Center

Dusable Museum Juneteenth Community BBQ

• Thursday, June 19th: 8 am – 8:30 pm
• The Dusable Black History Museum and Education Center: 740 East 56th Place

• It’s that time of year again—we’re gearing up for our annual Juneteenth Community BBQ! This year, Juneteenth falls during the Black Power Era month of study in our yearlong Introduction to African American Studies course, and we are proud to celebrate the spirit and legacy of Black Power as part of the day’s festivities. Join us for a full day of celebration, reflection, and community! Enjoy a vibrant mix of education, entertainment, food, and local vendors as we honor Black history, culture, and freedom. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors—there’s something for everyone. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to celebrate Juneteenth with purpose and pride!

Civil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery

• Free on Thursday June 19th
• Advance reservations required
• 1035 E. 67th St., by the S. Greenwood Ave. gate
• “See the largest burial ground of Confederate soldiers outside the south and discover why they are here in Chicago. Then, walk through this peaceful park space visiting the final resting places of some of the most important African Americans who fought for civil rights.”

Chicago Mahogany Tours

• Come explore Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood w/ Dilla!
• Book online to reserve a time slot
• “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.”

Evanston’s Juneteenth Parade and Celebration

• Saturday, June 21st, 2025′
• Start the celebration by watching or joining the Freedom Parade, stepping off at 11 a.m. from its new starting point at Dempster St. and Dodge Ave., and continuing to Ingraham Park. Get involved by joining in the march (register today) or signing up to volunteer. kemonehendricks.com
• Following the parade, join the City between noon and 4 p.m., at Ingraham Park for A Divine Nine Juneteenth Celebration. Enjoy live music, spoken word, performances by the Divine Nine and Ayodele Drum & Dance, kids’ activities, food, artisan vendors, and more!
• “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 6th 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 14th · 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

• The Village’s annual Juneteenth celebration was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11 and included a special flag-raising ceremony at Village Hall:
• The Village is hosting its annual Juneteenth community cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the Village Hall South Lawn.
• June 19th: “Grab your helmet and your water bottle and ride your bicycle over to Oak Park River Forest Museum for a bicycle tour led by Executive Director Frank Lipo on Thursday, June 19. The tour will meet at 6 p.m. in front of the museum, 129 Lake St. and is expected to last about two hours. The tour will stop at several of the sites included in Black History Bike Tour booklet, including Village Hall, Julian Middle School and the former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.”

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

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!