Juneteenth 2024: Nine Ways to Celebrate Around Chicagoland
by: BJ Lutz, Jewell Hillery
Updated: Jun 17, 2024
CHICAGO — A military honors ceremony and the raising of the Juneteenth flag on Friday kicked off a three-day weekend celebration and is among a number of events throughout the area and state commemorating Freedom Day.
Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, recognizes the true emancipation of all remaining enslaved people in 1865 following the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
The date became a federal and state holiday in 2021. It was the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983.
“This is not just a celebration it’s a cultural experience,” said Westside Cultural Alliance founder Carol Johnson. “Emancipation and freedom were not created equal so it’s our responsibility to educate, create, cultivate and enhance our Black culture.”
Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth locally: (Editor’s Note: This list has been updated with additional events. Events that have occurred have been removed.)
Emancipation Ball 2024
Moors Brewing hosts this Tuesday, June 18 night event, the third annual, to celebrate community, culture, creativity and commerce. Tickets start at $115. Attendees will be able to enjoy an open bar and a selection of Chicago cuisine.
More information is available at the eventbrite page.
Opal’s Walk for Freedom
Coinciding with events in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City, the Wednesday, June 19 walk of 2.5 miles recognizes the 2.5 years it took for the news and enforcement of freedom to reach the enslaved people in Texas. The walk steps off at 9 a.m. at 31st Street Beach.
More information is available at raceroster.com.
Juneteenth Freedom Ride
A 16-mile roundrtip cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. Bring your own bike and helmet.
More information is on the Cook County Forest Preserve website.
Juneteenth Celebration in Pottawatomie Park
The groups ONE Northside and Communities Partnering for Peace celebrate Juneteenth on Wednesday with a daytime event at Pattawattomie Park featuring a BBQ cookout, games, a bounce house and a DJ.
More information is at OneNorthside.org.
Accessible Juneteenth
This Tuesday, June 18 event, now in its fourth year, aims to make Juneteenth a fun and essential accessible experience for all, including disabled people. It is hosted by Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, UIC Disability Cultural Center and the Institute on Disability and Human Development.
More information is available at dcc.uic.edu.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center’s Juneteenth Celebration
Engage with science and technology, enjoy live performances and food, shop vendors, visit exhibits and more at The DuSable Museum on Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
More information is available at DuSableMuseum.org.
One Northside Juneteenth Celebration
Join Communities Partnering For Peace and ONE Northside for our Juneteenth Celebration! This celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 19th from 1pm-7pm at Pottawattomie Park.
More information is available at OneNorthSide.org.
Pullman’s Annual Juneteenth Community Recommitment Celebration
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum will host its 12th Annual Juneteenth Community Re Commitment Celebration on Wednesday.
The daylong schedule of events will begin with a parade/walk that segues into a block party and Youth Olympics.
More information is available at ChooseChicago.com.
Juneteenth Freedom Market
Refine Collective hosts a free, all-ages celebration of Black creativity and entrepreneurship with a marketplace of more than 50 local Black-owned businesses and creators on June 19. Listen to DJ’s, watch the Double Dutch Club and more.
More information is available at SaltShedChicago.com.
Bonus: View a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation
A copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln will be on display this month at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Sprinfield.
The presidential library and museum will also host two special discussions about Juneteenth and civil liberties, debut a new theatrical presentation and offer free admission to the museum on June 19.
More information is available at PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov.