25+ Meaningful Juneteenth Ideas to Honor Freedom and Culture

How to celebrate Juneteenth

There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth. 

One meaningful way is to support Black businesses by engaging with them and becoming a customer. You can also get involved with charities and activist groups to illuminate the history of Black people in the US. 

Organizing an event is arguably the best way to celebrate and even incorporate some of the ideas we mentioned. For example, you can invite Black-owned businesses to be your event vendors.

Depending on your audience, you’ll want to consider what event would work best. Here are a few ideas:

• Community Gatherings: Bring people together to commemorate Juneteenth through speeches, music, and cultural performances.
• Parades and Marches: Allow participants to express their pride and solidarity while promoting awareness of Juneteenth.
• Educational Workshops: Conducting workshops on African American history, civil rights, and social justice helps foster learning and understanding.
• Arts and Cultural Festivals: Showcase African American art, music, dance, and literature, providing a platform to celebrate creativity and cultural heritage.
• Community Service Projects: Volunteer activities benefit the local community, help promote unity, and uplift disadvantaged areas.

Traditional Juneteenth events and experiences

While virtual events have their advantages, traditional Juneteenth events offer better opportunities to connect and build stronger community relationships. Our TRNDS 2025 report also found that 2 in 5 consumers are willing to pay extra for events that focus on community engagement.

Here are some ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in a traditional way:

Family-friendly activities

Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere with activities that cater to families:

Children's programming

Organize storytelling sessions, arts and crafts activities, and interactive games to educate and entertain young participants.

• Storytelling sessions: Invite local storytellers to share African American folktales, historical narratives, or personal stories that educate and entertain participants of all ages. Empower You Edutainment’s musical Freedom: A Juneteenth Story is a wonderful example of this.
• Arts and crafts workshops: Set up stations where families can engage in hands-on activities such as making African-inspired masks, creating freedom quilts, or designing traditional African jewelry. For instance, Protejay is organizing an all-ages Juneteenth art event, UnPhramed Vision, that features local artists and live music. 
• Interactive history lessons: Organize interactive lessons catering to different age groups. You can have historical reenactors dressed in period costumes, providing insights into the experiences of African Americans during significant historical events. Trivia for Us organizes a Juneteenth Live Game Show Experience in Manhattan, where they celebrate the emancipation of African Americans through an exciting trivia experience with questions about Black history, Black pop culture, music, film, etc.
• History scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt that leads families to various stations or exhibits to learn about key figures, events, and landmarks related to African American history.

Games and outdoor events

Incorporate traditional African American games like double-dutch, horseshoes, tug-of-war, musical chairs, or sack races to foster a sense of nostalgia and fun.

A roller skating event is also perfect for this occasion. Not only has it been a big part of the Black culture since the ‘60s, roller skating famously played an important role in advancing the civil rights movement.

Cultural demonstrations

Highlight African American culture through live demonstrations and exhibitions, such as:

• Fashion shows: Showcase traditional African attire, Afrocentric fashion, or clothing inspired by different periods in African American history. Consider inviting local designers, stylists, or fashion enthusiasts to curate the show. Wedding Wish by Candyland Designs shows us how it’s done with their Juneteenth Fashion Show in Florida. This year, the show will feature performative runway presentations celebrating Black art, hair, and fashion, accompanied by live performances, craft cocktails, and unique POC vendors.

• Dance performances: Arrange live performances that showcase different styles rooted in African American culture, such as African tribal dances, hip-hop, jazz, or stepping.

• Drum circles: Allow participants to experience the rhythmic beats and communal spirit of African music traditions.

• Traditional instrument demonstrations: Organize demonstrations of traditional African instruments like djembe drums, kalimbas, or mbiras.

Musical performances and live entertainment

What better way to celebrate Juneteenth than engaging all the senses through dance and comedy performances? You can curate a lineup of talented musicians, dancers, and stand-up artists and move your attendees with unique African American performances.

• Gospel choirs: You can invite local gospel choirs to perform uplifting and soul-stirring gospel music deeply rooted in African American culture and spirituality.

• Jazz bands: Arrange live jazz performances featuring talented musicians who can showcase the history and evolution of jazz, a genre with deep African American roots.

• Spoken word poetry: Provide a platform for spoken word artists to express their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives on themes related to freedom, identity, and social justice.

• Comedy shows: Incorporate comedy shows featuring African American comedians who can entertain attendees with unique perspectives and humor. Anthony Oakes is doing this in such a fun way with their comedy show, Seven Black Minutes: Juneteenth, featuring seven comedians who will perform seven minutes of material each. It promises a night of fun, food, and laughter with creative segments like a “Bressed Dress contest” and a trivia game show on Black culture.

What do you eat to celebrate Juneteenth? 

Food is integral to any celebration and is at the heart of culture and history. 

Like during Black History Month events, including traditional African American foods and recipes is a delightful way to provide a special culinary experience for Juneteenth events. Or better yet, you can create an event based on African American cuisine.

Here are some ways to do this:

• Food tastings: Set up food tasting stations or organize a food festival like Weeksville Heritage Center does each year with their Juneteenth Food Festival. They feature a variety of dishes, each representing different regions and culinary traditions within the African American community.
• Cooking demonstrations: Invite local chefs or community members specializing in African American cuisine to demonstrate how to prepare signature dishes. You can use the opportunity to share historical context, cooking techniques, and personal stories related to the recipes.
• Recipe contests: Encourage participants to submit their favorite African American recipes and hold a contest to determine the best dishes. The MUSE Foundation of Rhodes has a unique take on this. While their event, Second Annual Taste of Juneteenth, is an all-around celebration of “soul food” of the African diaspora, they also have a segment that rewards prized entries.

Art exhibits and cultural showcases

Host art exhibits that celebrate the creativity and talent of African American artists. These exhibitions can feature a range of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media.

Justice Vanguard Non-Profit’s yearly Juneteenth Community Festival in Los Altos, California is a perfect example of a cultural and musical event. MXP Shop Events is organizing a Free Juneteenth Celebration for Kids that teaches them about the significance of this day through art, workshops, and observing black entrepreneurs in action.

Celebrating Black history and achievements

Incorporate displays that highlight significant figures and events from African American history, paying tribute to their contributions and accomplishments.

Showcasing local talent and artists

Provide a platform for local musicians, poets, authors, and performers to showcase their skills and express their creativity.

Getting involved with the Black community

Engage in community projects that promote the betterment of Black communities and support Black-owned businesses.

Here are some impactful ways to do this:

Support Black-owned businesses

Encourage attendees to support local Black-owned businesses by providing vendor spaces or creating a marketplace during the event.

Roc the Block Inc. organizes multiple Juneteenth events each year. Their annual Juneteenth Cultural Couture Ball is a standout one as it provides a platform for many black vendors to connect with their local communities. 

This year, for its fifth anniversary, they are organizing a multi-day festival at three different locations. The itinerary features a bloc party atmosphere with live DJs, fashion shows, retail shopping, and more. 

Empower Black communities and activism

Organize workshops or panel discussions that address social justice issues, community activism, and ways to uplift and empower Black communities.

Volunteer in community-building activities

Organize events around Juneteenth and support diversity in the community. These could be specific to the holiday or general community-building projects. 

SoulfulofNoise does this by organizing a Juneteenth Community Festival in Whittier, California, packed with entertainment, art exhibits, and educational activities.

Juneteenth around the nation

Juneteenth is celebrated in so many ways across the United States. We’ve been looking at how other event creators celebrate throughout this article, and it’s a fantastic way to get some inspiration.

You’ll see that every state has its unique way of celebrating Juneteenth — often featuring parades, concerts, community gatherings, and educational programs. Researching your state’s specific events and traditions can also help you draw inspiration and make it easier to collaborate with local organizations.

For example, the “Journey to Juneteenth” event by Essex Heritage last year, brought on Valerie Tutson to do a local storytelling presentation. Through tales of freedom and personal stories about her own family, she connected with the audience on a deeper level. 

Others like the Rainbow Dreams Educationalist Foundation, use purposeful Juneteenth events to help African-American people. Run by two philanthropists, Dr. Anthony and Mrs. Diane Pollard, the foundation hosts organize an annual Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival to raise funds to offer educational and cultural programs for historically under-served communities in Nevada. 

This year, the event will feature live performances, delicious food, and local artisans — all signs point to a fun evening!

Juneteenth event planning

Once you've decided how you want to celebrate Juneteenth, here are some details to consider when organizing your event:

Set objectives for your Juneteenth event

Define the purpose and goals of your event before you start. Are you aiming to educate, celebrate, or raise awareness? Ask yourself some questions to guide yourself in specifying your objectives:

• Education: Are you aiming to educate attendees about the history and significance of African American culture, achievements, and contributions?

• Commemoration/celebration: Is the event primarily focused on honoring the struggles and resilience of African Americans throughout history? Are you aiming to create a solemn and reflective atmosphere? Or do you want to create a festive and joyful environment celebrating freedom, culture, and community?
  
• Awareness and activism: Is your event intended to raise awareness about ongoing social justice issues, promote activism, and empower Black communities?

Answering these questions will soon help you express in a few sentences what you want to achieve with your Juneteenth event.

Marquita René (or M.Q), a seasoned business owner, who uses Eventbrite to attract more attendees for her events, also encourages other organizers to have good time management and to take it one step at a time. “Know you’ll face challenges, but that you’ll be able to overcome them at the same time. And with each victory, your business gains momentum,” she adds.

Create an event timeline and action plan

Now that you know what you’re aiming for, it’s time to lay out the plan. This will help you stay organized and ensure your event goes smoothly.

Develop a detailed timeline with these elements:

• Determine the event date and time: Choose a date close to June 19, and consider whether a daytime or evening event would be most suitable.

• Establish deadlines: Set deadlines for securing a venue, confirming performers or speakers, marketing, and promotion, and obtaining necessary permits or licenses.

• Assign responsibilities: Delegate responsibilities and establish clear lines of communication with individuals or teams to ensure smooth coordination.

• Coordinate logistics: Consider aspects such as venue selection, permits, insurance, equipment rentals, seating arrangements, security, and parking.

• Plan the program: Outline the order of events, including speeches, performances, workshops, and other activities. Allow sufficient time for each segment and consider incorporating breaks if needed.

• Organize rehearsals: If you have performers or speakers, schedule rehearsals to ensure smooth transitions and polished presentations.

• Create a backup plan: Anticipate any potential challenges or contingencies and develop a backup plan to address them.

You can use our event timeline template to get started.

Budgeting and funding

Proper budgeting covers expenses like venue rental, performers, equipment, and marketing materials. Determine your budget in advance and explore potential funding sources, such as sponsorships, grants, or community partnerships. 

Some things to consider are:

• Identify income sources: Determine your funding sources, such as ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, or partnerships with local organizations.

• Calculate expenses: Consider all potential costs, including venue rental, permits, performers' fees, equipment rentals, marketing materials, staff or volunteer expenses, and other relevant expenses.

• Prioritize spending: Allocate your budget based on the most critical aspects of your event. Ensure essential elements, such as performers or historical reenactors, receive adequate funding.

• Seek partnerships and sponsorships: Approach local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies to explore potential partnerships or sponsorships. They may provide financial support, in-kind contributions, or assistance with marketing and promotion. This is also an excellent avenue for volunteer participation!

• Consider fundraising activities: Organize fundraising initiatives such as crowdfunding campaigns, benefit concerts, or community drives to generate additional funds for your event.

Use Eventbrite, to plan, create, market, raise funds, and sell tickets for your event — all in one place. You can use the Eventbrite Organizer App to monitor online and on-site sales as your event takes place. It can seamlessly help you accept donations, too.

Collaborate with local organizations and community partners

Forging partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders can enhance and amplify your event's impact. Collaboration can bring additional resources and expertise as well as financial support. 

Some strategies to consider include:

• Research local organizations: Identify community organizations, historical societies, cultural centers, or non-profits interested in Juneteenth or advocate for African American rights and culture.

• Establish connections: Reach out to these organizations to discuss potential collaboration. Share your event objectives and explore opportunities for partnership, shared resources, or cross-promotion.

• Coordinate programming: Collaborate with organizations to develop joint programming or activities that align with the themes and goals of your Juneteenth event. This may include panel discussions, workshops, or cultural showcases.

• Engage community leaders: Connect with influential community leaders, religious leaders, or elected officials who can support and endorse your event. Their involvement can lend credibility and attract a broader audience.

• Seek volunteers: Reach out to community members passionate about Juneteenth and ask them to volunteer at your event. Their support can contribute to a sense of community ownership and engagement.

💡Pro tip: Don’t exclude collaborators who aren’t from your own community. Sometimes, they widen your reach to different groups and can also be passionate about your cause. Erika Bond of the All-Love Racquet Club learned this when she found an enthusiastic supporter in a local white woman, who championed the club’s cause from the beginning. 

When Erika shared her struggles in preparing for an event, the woman surprised her by saying, “I’m going to help resolve these issues.” Erika says it underscored how much her work resonates with others and this kept her going every day.

Marketing and promoting your Juneteenth event

Effective marketing and promotion are crucial for attracting attendees to your Juneteenth event.

Utilize social media, local media outlets, community bulletin boards, and partnerships to generate buzz and attract attendees.

Develop a comprehensive plan that outlines your target audience, key messages, and promotional channels. Determine which platforms, such as social media, email newsletters, local newspapers, radio stations, or community bulletin boards, will most effectively reach your desired audience. 

Your marketing activities could include:

• Engaging influencers: Identify and collaborate with local influencers, community leaders, or activists with a strong presence and following on social media. Network with local media outlets, community newsletters, and relevant online platforms to feature your event in articles, interviews, or event listings. Submit press releases and media kits to increase coverage and visibility.
• Leverage social media: Utilize platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create event pages, share updates, and engage with your audience. Use hashtags related to Juneteenth and your event to increase visibility.
• Engage the community: Encourage members to share information about your event within their social circles.

Overwhelmed with all the moving parts of the event planning process? Use Eventbrite’s Marketing Platform to do this conveniently in one place. With features like email automation and social media tailoring, it can save you a lot of time. 

Here are some things you can do with it:

• Quickly send emails to your community with no contact limits and up to 10,000 daily sends when you subscribe
• Launch ads on Facebook and Instagram to reach new event-goers
• Reach your ideal audience with targeting recommendations and insights generated from Eventbrite’s exclusive events data to get you better results
• Save time and promote your entire calendar of events with a single automated campaign on Facebook and Instagram

Expanding Juneteenth in communities nationwide

Juneteenth celebrations raise awareness, foster unity, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Black American community. 

Whether through traditional events, virtual experiences, or community initiatives, Juneteenth offers a chance to honor the past, inspire the present, and shape a more inclusive future for all. 

Remember, Juneteenth is not just a celebration but a time for education, empowerment, and action. Make your Juneteenth event a memorable and impactful occasion and join one of our anti-racism virtual series events for more inspiration.

Looking to expand the reach of your Juneteenth events while making your life easier? Use Eventbrite. Our internal data also found that creators sold 63% more tickets when they used Eventbrite’s specialized event marketing tool.