MINNEAPOLIS – Juneteenth is just around the corner, and we are all about partying.
Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating Juneteenth this year in the Twin Cities:
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the end of slavery.
Juneteenth dates back to 1865 and commemorates the day that 250,000 Texas slaves were declared free by the U.S. military. At the time, this was the last area in the US to comply with anti-slavery laws.
In 2021, Juneteenth was federally recognized, but has been celebrated annually for decades. Ironically, in 1980, Texas became the first to make it a state holiday.
NOTE: This is the basic definition of Juneteenth. The history surrounding the Juneteenth holiday is complex and important. Click here for more information about the history of Juneteenth.
Events taking place on June 14th
Northside Juneteenth Weekend Celebration
When: June 14-16
Where: Various times and locations
Free events all weekend long, including a community movie night at the Capri Theater, a family festival with a pancake breakfast, vendors, free food, games, giveaways and live music, and an ice cream and pool party at North Commons Pool.
“Freedom and Community” Violence Prevention Community Cookout
When: June 14, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Shiloh Temple, Minneapolis
Sweet potato pie display case
When: June 14, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Loppet Foundation Trailhead, 1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie is a celebration of food culture and stories and welcomes all pie bakers making traditional or non-traditional sweet potato pie. Participants share the cultural and personal history behind their individual recipes.
This event is hosted by Shayla Reaves of WCCO.
Minnesota Orchestra, Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom
When: June 14, 8 p.m
Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Events taking place on June 15th
Juneteenth Fun Run
When: June 15, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Theodore Wirth Park Trailhead, Minneapolis
Everyone is welcome to participate in the 5K or half-mile run honoring beloved North Minneapolis figures Bill and Beverly Cottman.
We Are the Noise: University of Minnesota Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 15, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m
Where: U of M Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center, Minneapolis
The event will begin with a commemorative march, beginning at 11 a.m. and departing from the university’s Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC). The march will conclude with an outdoor black party (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM) on Plymouth Avenue at UROC.
Rondo Neighborhood’s Sterling Club UnityFest Juneteenth celebration
When: June 15, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m
Where: Carty Park, 705 Iglehart Avenue, St. Paul
Brooklyn Center Juneteenth celebration
When: June 15, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m
Where: Centennial Park, 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
Roseville Juneteenth celebration
When: June 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m
Where: Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave. N, Roseville
Minneapolis Parks Juneteenth – Freedom Day Celebration
When: June 15, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Bethune Park, Minneapolis
Burnsville Juneteenth celebration
When: June 15, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: North River Hills Park, 11501 19th Avenue, Burnsville
Brooklyn Park Juneteenth celebration
When: June 15, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: North Hennepin Community College, 7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park
Bloomington Juneteenth: Celebrating Black Excellence
When: June 15, 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
Events take place on June 16
Juneteenth Minnesota: West Broadway Block Party
When: June 16, 10am – 6pm
Where: West Broadway, from Lyndale to Emerson Avenues North
St. Louis Park Juneteenth celebration
When: June 16, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC) 3700 Monterey Drive St.
Events take place on June 18
Pre-June celebration in Minneapolis
When: June 18, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Loring Park Patio, 1382 Willow St, Minneapolis
Events take place on June 19
Juneteenth Tours at Fort Snelling
When: June 19, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM
Where: Fort Snelling
Screening of Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History
When: June 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m
Where: OMG Studios, 550 Vandalia Street Suite 220, St. Paul
OMG Studios will screen a documentary created to challenge our understanding of slavery and its impact on Minnesota.
Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival
When: June 19, 12:00-20:00
Where: Various locations
Activities include live music and dancing, art galleries, wellness activities, a black market, storytelling, drum circles, food trucks, a history zone, interactive installations and more.
Juneteenth with the Rondo Center for Diverse Expressions
When: June 19, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, program 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Rondo Memorial Square, 820 Rondo Avenue, St. Paul
The Rondo Center of Diverse Expressions is hosting its fifth annual Juneteenth event, celebrating the music of the Rondo neighborhood. The event will feature various speakers, musical guests and vendors.
Maple Grove Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 19, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Town Green, 7991 Main Street N, Maple Grove
Marshall Juneteenth celebration
When: June 19, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Justice Park, 704 Oak Street, Marshall
Albert Lea Juneteenth celebration
When: June 19, 5:30 PM
Where: 201 Broadway Ave S., Albert Lea
Edina Juneteenth celebration
When: June 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Maetzold Amphitheater, 7499 France Avenue S, Edina
Blackout Improv presents: Juneteenth on the Ordway
When: June 19, 7 p.m
Where: The Ordway Theater
Events take place on June 20
Juneteenth Breakfast with Bakari Vendors
When: June 20, 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Where: St. Paul Event Center, 400 Wabasha Street North #320, St. Paul
Events take place on June 21
Kumbayah the Juneteenth story
When: June 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m
Where: Northrop, 84 Church St SE, Minneapolis
Come see a 90-minute play in two acts that addresses a traumatic time in our history.
28th Annual Community Peace Celebration
When: June 21, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Western Sculpture Park, 387 Marion St, St Paul
Juneteenth anniversary black burlesque show
When: June 21, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: LUSH Lounge & Theater, Minneapolis
Events take place on June 22
Screening of Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery: MN African American History
When: June 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m
Where: Rondo Community Library
The Rondo Library is screening a documentary intended to challenge our understanding of slavery and its impact on Minnesota.
Woodbury for Justice and Equality Juneteenth celebration
When: June 22, 11am-3pm
Where: Ojibway Park, 2695 Ojibway Drive, Woodbury
Juneteenth Minnesota – A family celebration!
When: June 22, 12:00-4:00 PM
Where: Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul
Events take place on June 23
Eagan Juneteenth celebration
When: June 23, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan
We will continue to update this list of events as Juneteenth approaches.
NOTE: The video for this article originally aired on June 8, 2024.
