Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Philadelphia

Celebrate freedom with block parties, free museum days, kids’ programming, live music and more.

juneteenth

The historic Johnson House hosts one of the oldest Juneteenth celebrations in Philly / Photograph by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

On June 19th, 1865, nearly two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free the country’s remaining slaves. These days, we know the date as Juneteenth. Often referred to as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” the holiday is marked by celebrations, games, music, and a chance to learn about African American history.

In 2020, Pennsylvania finally added official statewide observance of Juneteenth, but Philly has been celebrating long before then. Philly institutions from the historic Johnson House to the African American Museum in Philadelphia are celebrating, and the parade is coming back to West Philly. Here’s how to honor the holiday around town.

Friday Lounge at the Art Museum
Kicking off a weekend of free community festivities, the Friday Night Lounge features live performances from Rashaan Rich & The JuneB All Stars honoring the spirit of Juneteenth. The museum offers pay-as-you-wish admission during this event.
Pay-as-you-wish; June 16th, 5-9 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival at Johnson House
Held in historic Germantown, this festival — now in its 17th year — is one of Philly’s oldest Juneteenth celebrations. The Johnson House Historic Site, which also served as a vital stop on the Underground Railroad, hosts a day of events that includes tours, re-enactments, performances, kids’ activities, a fashion show, food trucks, a marketplace and more. The event is free and offers attendees the chance to learn about Philadelphia’s important role in African American history during the 1800s. Plus, during the festival, there will be an unveiling and dedication of Philly’s first Juneteenth mural at the Germantown ArtHaus (6228 Germantown Avenue) with performances (including Philly star Julian King), an art station, a chance to meet the artists, and more celebration.
Free; June 17th, noon-7 p.m., Johnson House Historic Site, 6300 Germantown Avenue.

Juneteenth at the Hatfield House
This free, family-friendly celebration includes refreshments, live performances, kids’ activities and giveaways. You can also step inside the historic house to see their new photography exhibit, Healing Through the Land: Black Faces in Green Spaces.
Free; June 17th, 1-5 p.m., 33rd Street & West Girard Avenue.

Juneteenth Wine & Arts Festival at Cherry Street Pier
In partnership with the Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, this event features art exhibits, live music, craft vendors, and wine tastings from local Black-owned wineries. The festival is free to attend and family-friendly; wine tasting is 21+ and requires an extra $15 ticket, available online.
Free to attend, $15 for wine tasting; June 17th, 1-6 p.m., Cherry Street Pier, 121 North Columbus Avenue.

Juneteenth Storytime with Harriet Tubman
Dr. Daisy Century of the American Historical Theatre plays Harriet Tubman in this special Juneteenth storytime outside Christ Church.
Free; June 17th, 2 p.m., Christ Church, 20 North American Street.

Juneteenth Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution
Visit the museum’s special exhibit, Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia, which features more than 100 historical artifacts telling the stories of Philadelphia abolitionist and businessman James Forten and his family, from the Revolutionary era through the Civil War and Reconstruction, and beyond. The weekend will also feature in-gallery talks, costumed re-enactors, and hands-on activities. Kids can go downstairs to the children’s discovery center, where they can make a cap inspired by the Rhode Island Regiment, which consisted primarily of Black and Native American troops. On Saturday and Sunday, Urban Creators will be outside the museum selling locally grown produce and seeds that would have been grown in Revolutionary-era Philadelphia.
Free for museum members and kids under 5; $13-$21 for general admission, June 17th-19th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street.

A historical reenactor brings James Forten to life at the Museum of the American Revolution / Photograph courtesy of the Museum of the American Revolution

Philadelphia Family Pride Teenth
This kid-friendly event hosted by Philadelphia Family Pride will center on and celebrate LGBTQ+ Black families, history, vendors, and artists with free food, entertainment and resources.
Free; June 17th, noon-4 p.m., Lovett Park, 6945 Germantown Avenue.

Juneteenth Celebration through the Storytelling Art of Jerry Pinkney
The Woodmere hosts a Juneteeth family program honoring the legacy of artist Jerry Pinkney, who grew up in Germantown during segregation, and went on to be one of the country’s most celebrated children’s book illustrators. His wife, Gloria Jean Pinkney, will read a short selection from his memoir. The event is free, but registration is required via email.
Free, June 17th, 4-5:15 p.m., Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue.

Juneteenth Parade and Festival
The parade kicks off at noon at 52nd and Parkside with bands, dance groups, floats and more. Meanwhile, the daylong festival begins at 10 a.m. in Malcolm X Park and runs through 8 p.m. The festival includes food vendors, a marketplace, and a children’s village from 2 to 7 p.m. with a carnival, face-painting, games and more. There will also be a music festival at 52nd and Larchwood from 3 to 7 p.m.
Free; June 18th, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., parade from noon-2 p.m. begins at 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, and ends at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine streets) for the festival.

Juneteenth Celebration at Bartram’s Garden
The West Philly garden’s Juneteenth celebration returns for its third year with storytelling, performances, kids’ activities, a foraging walk, vendors, community resources and more. The event features live vinyl DJ sets by Vinyl Tap 215, who also co-host.
Free; June 18th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard.

Juneteenth Freedom Market
NextFab hosts a family-friendly day of local vendors, food trucks, kids’ art activities and more.
Free; June 18th, noon-5 p.m., 1800 North American Street.

Betsy Ross House’s Juneteenth Concert
The Philadelphia Heritage Chorale will perform vocal music of the African Diaspora, from “solemn slave songs to jubilant and uplifting gospel singing.”
Free, June 18th, 3 p.m., Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street. 

Juneteenth Art Stroll
The Roots Art Show hosts a free art stroll at Pentridge Station highlighting Black and African creators.
Free; June 18th, 6-11 p.m., 5116 Pentridge Street.

Juneteenth at the Please Touch Museum
PTM has planned a complete day of programming that’s both educational and engaging. Children can enjoy themed crafts, music, interactive storytime (including a session with Gail Ramos, author of Hooray! It’s Juneteenth Day!), games, a chef demonstration, performances by the West Powelton Steppers and more. All activities are included with museum admission; online reservations required.
$19 ($2 for ACCESS cardholders); June 19th, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.

Free Admission and Activities at National Constitution Center
Along with all-day free admission, the NCC has a day of programming including scholar talks, a Kids’ Town Hall with historical re-enactors; and a DJ set by Duiji 13, founder of Vinyl Tap 215, exploring the history of Black American music. See the full schedule here.
Free; June 19th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street.

AAMP’s Juneteenth block party will include art-making activities for all ages / Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

Juneteenth Block Party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
This all-ages party features live performances — including Spinderella from Salt-N-Pepa — celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The block party also includes food trucks, a community marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses, art-making, line dancing and more. Plus, since this is also the kickoff to Wawa Welcome America, the museum will offer free admission all day (online registration required).
Free; June 19th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.

Juneteenth Dream Space
Head to the Sculpture Garden in Northern Liberties for a free day of wellness sessions, followed by a “family reunion-style cookout.”
June 19th, 2-9 p.m., 1717 Hancock Street.

Juneteenth Celebration: Sounds of Freedom!
The Free Library hosts an evening of live music, poetry, dance and crafts with the Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective. The event is free but online registration is requested.
Free; June 22nd, 5:30 p.m., Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street.

Juneteenth Dinner at Awbury Arboretum
Chef Gail Jones-Hinson shares a buffet-style meal inspired by cooks of the Reconstruction era. The evening also includes live performances by spoken-word artists, poets and musicians.
$60, June 22nd, 6-9 p.m., Francis Cope House, 1 Awbury Road.