Juneteenth About Town

All the info you need to plan a jam-packed holiday weekend 

As West Philly vies to host the country’s official Juneteeth celebration as a National holiday, here in Germantown we’ve been rocking this holiday for 15 years and counting! Indeed, all over the City of Brotherly Love, communities are coming out to honor African American culture, resilience, innovation, and spirit. There so much great stuff to do, it’s overwhelming.

Say no more! P.O.C. and her team at Revive Radio have scoured the corners of Philadelphia for all the best Juneteenth events, a really wide variety so there’s something for everyone: families, foodies, shopaholics, history buffs, activists — whoever you are, we hope you’re inspired to plan a jam-packed weekend. For more information, please follow the links in each listing.

Learn more about Juneteenth in Dr. Woodson’s lively explanation “Lessons in Liberty” (NW Local, June, 2019), quoted here:

A big part of Juneteenth celebrations is connecting with family. Well we are all brothers and sisters in the human race! We all lose when we let hate and fear win. We need to heal from 400 years of trauma together, starting with telling the truth about the real costs to create this so-called “Land of Opportunity.*

NOTE: Juneteenth is Saturday June 19th, all events are for that date unless otherwise specified. 

NORTHWEST

Philadelphia 15th Annual Juneteenth Festival
Johnson House Historic Site
6306 Germantown Avenue
12-5PM
Johnson House Historic Site is hosting the 15th annual Juneteenth festival, celebrating the 156th Anniversary of the end of slavery. Events will take place along the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue outside of the Johnson House Historic Site as well as among many of the historic sites in the Historic Germantown collaborative.  More info about Historic Germantown’s 18 historic properties here: freedomsbackyard.com

Black Wall Street Presents Juneteenth Fashion Show in Vernon Park
(June 19 and 20)
5818 Germantown Ave.
10AM-10PM (Sat and Sun)
Showcasing local black businesses and talents. There will be a 30’ Ninja Bounce House, Live DJ, and a Fashion Show of multiple designers. There will also be a gaming truck, drum line and popcorn, cotton candy, and water ice for the children. Tix: $10. Purchase @ Eventbrite.

Black Art Matters
7054 Germantown Ave.
2-5PM
The Mt. Airy Art Garage invites you to its latest exhibit, Black Art Matters, a summer art show honoring the Black Lives Matter movement and the significance Juneteenth plays in our collective histories. The Black Art Matters Opening Reception will be on June 19^th. They will be serving light refreshments and hosting live music with the Passage Jazz Trio. MAAG requests that guests wear masks. More info: mtairyartgarage.org

Juneteenth: Black Business Boost plus Afterparty
5226-30 Ridge Avenue
1PM – 5PM
An afternoon of honoring Black culture and entrepreneurship. Live DJ, on-site photography, BBQ, vegan soul food, fruit truck, selfie station, mobile bartender along with a multitude of local Black businesses: health/beauty, CBD/edibles, candles/bath, custom apparel & more. Afterparty continues one block away at the Black-owned Loft Lounge where guests will enjoy great food, music, hookah and vibes.

Juneteenth: A Holiday for All
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave.
5-8PM
This multi-faceted celebration will feature The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble performing various selections along with a special poetry and music performance by Black lyricist and author Nina “Lyrispect” Ball. An evening to celebrate the determination of the human spirit in pursuit of freedom. In partnership with the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
Tix: $25 ($15 members) — two sessions: 5PM & 7PM

Brothas Stroll: Walk for Black Men’s Health
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
2800 West Cheltenham Ave.
11AM – 3PM
Join the 3rd Annual Brothas Stroll Health Walk in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia to bring Black males, their families, and community together. And what better way to bring everyone together then by having a Brothas Stroll and also hosting a Community Day where there will be games, music, and more. Register at the link.

NORTH PHILLY 

Juneteenth at Stenton
4601 N 18th St, 19140
11AM-2PM
Bring your blankets, chairs, and a packed lunch and join us at Stenton Park and Museum for a museum open house that also includes storytelling, reenactments, and musical performances. Stenton Museum will be free and open to the public throughout the event. All are invited to bring blankets, chairs, and a packed lunch. Masks are required during interactive performances and inside the museum. More info: email programs@stenton.org, call 215-329-7312, or visit stenton.org.

Juneteenth Celebration at the Hatfield House
North 33^rd St. (near Girard Ave intersection)
2-6PM
A free Juneteeth celebration at the historic Hatfield House! Bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy live DJ music, kid-friendly activities and games, face-painting, and giveaways including free T-shirts, books, school supplies. Enjoy refreshments including pretzels and water ice.

DJ Nash Presents International Bounce Juneteenth Fest
Sunflower Philly, 1725 N 5th Street, Philadelphia 19122
Starts 1PM
Celebrating ancestors of the African Diaspora through music, commerce, and community. Features sounds by Nash, Bobby Flowers, Hvnlee, Rebel Foster, DJ Afrik and more. Hosted by Queen Jo. Food by Jerk Chicken Man and Philly Tropical Treats. Free event – donations suggested.

City Athletics Philly Presents a Juneteenth Festival
1901 West Tioga St.
11AM-5PM
This event is free and will feature free BBQ and water ice, 3 on 3 basketball competitions, a live DJ, inflatable slides, vending and giveaways, as well as kids’ games and activities. More info: facebook.com/cityathleticsphilly or call 215-409-8060.

Juneteenth Radiothon
Uptown Theater
2240 N Broad St.
3-9PM
Uptown Radio (98.5 FM) will be broadcasting live on Broad Street at the Historic Uptown Theater. The Radiothon celebration will include music, food, fun and LIVE interviews! More info: UptownRadioPhilly.org.

WEST PHILLY 

Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival
Malcolm X Park
5100 Pine Street (also other locations in West Philly)
9AM-3PM
This year’s celebration includes: a Freedom Day March (9-10AM), a rally (10-11AM), an exhibit and vendor fair (Noon-3PM), a self-guided culture tour and more, with complementary programming available online. (Note that the parade won’t happen in 2021 due to the pandemic.)

Jawnteenth
Friday June 18
Malcolm X Park
5100 Pine Street
4-8PM
Jawnteenth is a Juneteenth celebration of Black joy, freedom, and resistance. There’ll be food, music, dancing, marching, and more. They’ll be practicing social distancing and encourage all guests to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, they will provide one. They encourage you to bring a lawn chair. More info: blmphilly.com

Juneteenth Youth Leaders of Hope March
52^nd and Haverford Ave.
9:30AM
Young people we are looking for you to lead in our march to make Juneteenth a national holiday! Imagine 100+ young people leading the march on a holiday that stands for freedom and hope for our people marching in unity, solidarity, strength and power! T-shirts and $10 gift cards for all youth that register in advance at blackbrotherlylove.com. Fists up, voices loud, we’re Black and we’re proud!

Youth Pop Up Shop/Cookout
Belmont Plateau
1800 Belmont Mansion Dr.
2-8PM
Arts and crafts, DJ, accessories and more! Hosted By: Artistic Resin Design

Everybody Eats Philly
Malcolm X Park
Noon
Come out to help Everybody Eats celebrate its first birthday! Black History, especially in food, is American History. Please come out for this year’s fun-filled community event, featuring free food, free essentials, giveaways & more!

CENTER CITY

Special programming at the National Constitution Center
Independence Mall
525 Arch Street
11AM-5PM
Free museum admission, re-enactors, family fun. constitutioncenter.org.

Celebrate with Visit Philly & Wawa’s Welcome America
African American Museum
701 Arch Street
11AM-4PM
Tasty bites, handmade wares, live stage performances, tours & exhibitions. Free, all welcome.   Aampmuseum.org

5-Day Series at the Museum of the American Revolution
101 South 3^rd Street
June 17^th – 21^st
An inspiring variety of virtual & in-person tours, talks, performances and more. Amrevmuseum.org

SOUTH & SOUTHWEST

It’s OK 2 Laugh Presents a Juneteenth Clean Comedy & Fashion Show
The Grand Yesha Ballroom, 2308 Snyder Ave 19145
6-10PM
Come out for a night of comedy, fashion, and good food. The comedy lineup includes Timmy Hall, Tommy Too Smoov, Stiletto, and Weight Ball. The fashion show features J. Pratt Fashion and Models. Radio personality Dezzie will be the host. Also musical performances by Chocolate Gurl April Williams and DJ Praze. There will be vendors on-site, and much more. Afrocentric garb encouraged. Tix: $25-40 (purchase at the link)

Magic Gardens Guided Talks
Alder Street Alley (between 10th and 11th Streets)
Talks offered at: 1:45, 2:45, 3:45 and 4:45 PM
Explore the history of 1016-18 South Street, a three-story brick firehouse that once housed Engine 11, home to Philadelphia’s first Black firefighters. Short guided talks will offer a look at Engine 11 and the central challenge facing the vibrant communities that called South Street home from the 1940s, when it was a jazz hotspot, to the late 1960s when Isaiah and Julia Zagar became part of the South Street Renaissance. FREE (No reservations are required and tickets to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens are not necessary to participate.) More info about this awe-inspiring location: phillymagicgardens.org

Juneteenth Solstice Festival
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge At Tinicum
8601 Lindbergh Blvd.
4:30-8:30PM
Join the Friends of Heinz Refuge for our Juneteenth Solstice Festival! This year they have a great set of collaborators including Tiny Room for Elephants and Lenapehoking Watershed Art!  Live music, guided nature walks, self-guided scavenger hunt, s’mores and other snacks.

Millennial Juneteenth Concert
Kingsessing Rec Center
4901 Kingsessing Ave
3-8PM
The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Festival (sponsored by Youngwithoptions) will be a true celebration of culture! The festival will host various vendors, artists, resources and restaurants. Join them in celebrating an amazing day in history!

Refuge Juneteenth
Bartram’s Garden (Sunday June 20)
5400 Lindbergh Blvd. (Eastwick Pavilion)
11AM-4PM
A festive day in celebration of Juneteenth. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day of community, dance, storytelling, poetry, art, and joy! The day will also feature representatives and resources from Millennial Juneteenth from 11AM-12PM, along with a specially curated Refuge event starting at 12PM. Rain or shine event. More info: bartramsgarden.org

NORTHEAST

Philly Pop Up Shop
Moss Playground
5700 Torresdale Avenue
12-5PM
Kustom Kommodities invites you to come celebrate Juneteenth by supporting 19 black-owned small businesses. The event features live music by DJ TurnUp, free water ice and pretzels, and shopping. Also, exclusive sneaker raffles!!! Free event but please register at the link.

Amalgam’s Juneteenth Celebration featuring The Black Child Book Fair
Amalgam Comics
2578 Frankford Ave.
10AM-3PM
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is partnering with The Black Child Book Fair (a Chicago based traveling book fair aimed at amplifying Black voices in children’s literature) and New Kensington CDC to bring you their first outdoor Juneteenth Celebration. There will be books, comics, music, and arts & crafts! For everyone’s safety, this will be a MASKED event.

Philadelphia for Haiti Fundraiser
Splash of Colour Cultural Arts Center
7217 Rising Sun Avenue
5-8PM
Learn about the history of Haiti and the Philadelphia for Haiti Mission (PFHM), while enjoying music and food and drinks. Also raffles and prizes with all proceeds funding PFHM’s sustainable programs in Haiti. More info about PFHM: philly4haiti.com

Tamara Russell aka Proof of Consciousness aka P.O.C. hosts and produces a variety of award-winning shows featured on Uptown Radio 98.5FM and Philly’s WHYY/NPR/PBS outlets. Find her popular “Mad or Nah” interviews now in The Local paper!