13 Juneteenth celebrations, concerts, and educational events in Philadelphia (2024)

Juneteenth is almost here, and Philadelphia is gearing up to mark the occasion.

Juneteenth commemorates the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The first Juneteenth was celebrated the following year in Galveston, and the holiday became recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

This year’s Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday, but Philadelphia-area museums, cultural organizations, and more will hold events throughout the weekend. Here are some ways the city plans to celebrate.

» READ MORE: What's open and closed in Philadelphia for Juneteenth 2024

President Joe Biden recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, and Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019. Before that, Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth for years with community gatherings, live music, festivals, and holiday cookouts.

Perkins Center hosts a family-friendly event with music and dance performances, poetry, community art-making, a bounce house, and Black-owned food vendors and businesses. This year will feature a commemorative planter created by the community.

🕒 Sat., June 15, 2 to 5 p.m., 📍395 Kings Hwy., Moorestown, N.J., 08057, 🌐 perkinsarts.org

Johnson House, a National Historic Landmark and a stop on the Underground Railroad, hosts its annual Juneteenth Festival. Bring the entire family for a day of music, games, panel discussions, historic reenactments, and more.

🕒 Sat., June 15, Noon-7 p.m., 📍6306 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144, 🌐 johnsonhouse.org

A new festival featuring Pennsylvania Black-owned wineries plus music, arts, culture, and exhibits. General admission is free, but wine tastings start at $20 for those 21 and over.

🕒 Sat., June 15, 1-6 p.m., 📍121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, Pa., 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com

Join for an hour of arts and storytelling followed by a live performance from poet and musical artist TAHIRA.

🕒 Sat., June 15, 2-4 p.m., 📍9201 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19118, 🌐 woodmereartmuseum.org

This multisite festival features a parade in Fairmount, a pageant at the Constitution Center, a marketplace and art in Malcom X Park, and music, with performances by the Urban Guerilla Orchestra and others, at 52nd Street and Larchwood Avenue.

🕒 Sun. June 16, all day, 📍multiple locations, 🌐 juneteenthphilly.org

Philly’s urban garden oasis is throwing its fourth annual Juneteenth party with live performances from Jacqueline Constance, youth storytelling with Paul Best, free fruit, fitness classes, lawn games, and vendors.

🕒 Sun., June 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 📍5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa., 19143, 🌐 bartramsgarden.org

The Camden City African American Commission hosts its Juneteenth celebration of freedom and unity at Farnham Park. The event is in its 22nd year

🕒 Sun., June 16, 2 to 8 p.m., 📍1648 Baird Ave., Camden, N.J., 08103, 🌐 camdencounty.com

At Shakespeare Memorial Park, across from the Parkway Central Library, storytellers and vocalists will present Philly’s Black historical legends. The event, which includes other entertainment, is cohosted by the music department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Karen Smith, lead percussionist and founder of the Karen Smith Experience and Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collectives.

🕒 Mon., June 17, 5:30 p.m., 📍1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19107, 🌐 libwww.freelibrary.org

Hear from Black voices of the American Revolution, learn about America’s first published Black female poet, and see an exhibit on Harry Washington, a man enslaved by America’s first president, George Washington, at Philadelphia’s only museum fully dedicated to the American Revolution.

🕒 Wed., June 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍101 S. Third St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org

The museum invites hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play and other acts for a Juneteenth Block Party with free access to the museum.

🕒 Wed., June 19, Noon-5 p.m., 📍701 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19106, 🌐 aampmuseum.org

Celebrate liberation and innovation with exhibits on the Black experience, special performances, and workshops.

🕒 Wed., June 19, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 📍4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa., 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org

Learn the holiday’s history and the ongoing fight for liberation at Awbury Arboretum’s Francis Cope House. The event includes a Q&A led by Germantown Infohub’s Rasheed Ajamu. Speakers will include Gwen Ragsdale of the We Forget Slavery Museum, journalist Cassie Owens, and Juneteenth Festival founder Cornelia Swinson. Dinner will be served as jazz musician Koof Ibi performs. Tickets are online for $55.

🕒 Wed., June 19, 5 to 8 p.m., 📍1 Awbury Road, Philadelphia, Pa., 19138, 🌐 awbury.org

A multimedia performance by choreographer Raja Feather Kelly and poet Yolanda Wisher explores the impact of social dance. Party with five Philly-based artists at Christ Church Neighborhood House. Buy tickets for $20.

🕒 Thurs. to Sat., June 20 to 22, 7:30 p.m., 📍20 N. American St., Fourth Floor, Philadelphia, Pa., 19106, 🌐 reemancipatedance.org