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Juneteenth marks the day when, a month after the American Civil War officially ended, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. It has since grown into a national celebration of emancipation and an annual homage to Black history, community and culture.

Learn more about the 1865 origin story and significance of Juneteenth 

Here is a guide to Juneteenth weekend in the Twin Cities:

Gateway to Juneteenth Live on Location Radio Broadcast

The Morning Show with Freddie and Chantel SinGs will be a live radio show featuring musicians, live DJs, light refreshments, various Juneteenth organizations and a live audience.

, YMCA of the North, 1711 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis.

Lessons Throughout History With Nothando Zulu 

Local storyteller Nothando Zulu takes to Zoom at 6 p.m. to speak on Juneteenth, Reconstruction, and the Nadir, all the while weaving these histories into current issues and victories. 

Juneteenth Story Strolls (on display all weekend)

Three Minneapolis parks have lined trails with stories to read page-by-page as you stroll along. Feel the sweet summer breeze and reflect on “

” at Phelps Park all weekend long.  

Harrison Park hosts an outdoor party, with music to dance to, food to eat and games to partake in from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

This bash in Boyd Park features all-day entertainment from a lineup of musicians, dancers, DJs, storytellers and poets, performing from 3-7 p.m. Food trucks and St. Paul’s Bookmobile Library are also rolling in for the event. 

At noon, a parade of dance, music and theatrical acts arrives at Bethune Park to join food trucks and vendors for an outdoor celebration happening until 6 p.m. The stage features a variety of performances throughout the day, including dance, drum and historical reenactments. 

, Parade starts at 1250 West Broadway Ave., ends at 1304 10th Ave. N, Minneapolis.

Northside Juneteenth Community Celebration at Sanctuary Covenant Church 

This annual Northside celebration of community, creativity and history transforms the front lawn of Sanctuary Covenant Church into a bustling fairground from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. There’s the Kid’s Zone with face painting, a health fair, a few group fitness classes and a variety of vendors to mingle with. 

Midtown Global Market’s celebration promises to be a lively one, with free kids crafts and back-to-back performances from storytellers, dancers and drummers. Creative Innovators, a coalition of young entrepreneurs, are also tabling the event. 

Described quite simply as “a good ole time”, the Sun Ray Library will offer free food, games, crafts and photo opps throughout the afternoon. 

The University’s inaugural Juneteenth commemoration starts with speeches at Willard Park, before marching down Penn Avenue toward the 

Urban Research & Outreach-Engagement Center

. There, a big block party awaits and runs until 6 p.m. with scheduled speakers and performers of all sorts of disciplines. In the downtime, enjoy roller skating, free food and haircuts, collaborative mural making and more. 

Brooklyn-based AFROPUNK makes its Midwest debut over Juneteenth weekend, culminating in a riverside music festival in Northeast on Sunday. Free events and panel discussions unfold across the city on June 18, including AFROPUNK’s signature Solution Sessions, hosted at The Get Down Coffee Company in North Minneapolis. 

This massive celebration sprawls across sections of West Broadway Avenue, from Bryant to Emerson Avenues North, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The party features good fresh food, a Father’s Day Rally, a kids carnival, giveaways, and a whole lot more to keep you busy. Dozens of Black-owned businesses also take part in this full-day festival, in part designed to facilitate community discussions around solutions to systemic socio-economic issues facing Black families today. 

A mix of 16 local and national musicians — including Ari Lennox, Noname, and Miloe — put on a full-day festival in northeast Minneapolis, with food trucks, art galleries, film screenings, and more on-site. 

Minneapolis’ premier jazz club has assembled a stacked lineup for the evening of Juneteenth. The talented and dynamic Ginger Commodore co-headlines the show with esteemed actor, vocalist and community organizer T. Mychael Rambo. They are joined by a slew of other jazz and soul-inspired acts including Geoff Jones, Charmin Michelle and Dennis Spears. 

Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival

A day-long party hosted by iLLism features music, poetry, speeches, a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses, live art by Sean Garrison, and food vendors. The events are spread across the Hook and Ladder Theater and Under the Canopy space. Performers include Blackfish Movement, iLLism, Basement Gang & Supa Juke, Kashimana, Kokou Kah, and more. 

Long before it became a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has been an important day of remembrance around the country. There's no shortage of Twin Cities festivities this year.

Juneteenth celebrations in the Twin Cities

A guide to Juneteenth celebrations in the Twin Cities

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