On June 19, 1865, about 2,000 Union troops arrived at Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing that the Civil War was over and the 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were now free after more than 200 years of enslavement. This was more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the end of the war. After 158 years, Juneteenth has evolved into a celebration of culture, family, and Black joy, as well as an honoring of the legacy of Juneteenth.

In Minneapolis, Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1985, but with 2023 marking the first year that Juneteenth is an official state holiday, celebrations across the Twin Cities are looking bigger than ever before. 

Friday, June 16

Juneteenth Jubilee: A Black Burlesque Show

The king of burlesque Tre’ Da Marc presents Juneteenth Jubilee, a celebration of liberation of black and brown bodies in burlesque. See a dazzling lineup including RuPaul’s Drag Race's own Dax ExclamationPoint and Lou Loi la Duchesse de Rier, hosted by Foxy Tann.

6 p.m. - 8 p.m., more info, The Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis

Ladies Of Soul: A Juneteenth Celebration

Hear songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Chaka Khan, Sade, and more at The Dakota for a night dipped in old-school R&B. 

7 p.m., more info, The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Saturday, June 17

Black Bodies in Motion: The Ultimate Expression of Freedom

The Midtown Global Market celebrates health, heritage, and harmony with poetry, music, a reenactment of the proclamation, and above all, motion — what many consider the greatest expression of liberation, resistance, self-care, and freedom. There will be biking, Zumba, yoga, line dancing, meditation, and more. 

10 a.m. - 11 p.m., more info, Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis

Juneteenth Minnesota - A Family Celebration!

Celebrate with the whole fam at the Allianz field. Learn through art and history exhibits, and see performances through 50 years of hip hop. There will be a fun zone for kids, and wellness resources, economic empowerment, and scholarship awards for the community.

12 p.m. - 4 p.m., more info, Allianz Field, 400 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul

Juneteenth – Celebrating Freedom Day

Enjoy food, vendors, family activities, a live painting by Kenneth Caldwell and almost a dozen performances including music by Jamecia Pettiford, Obi Original, BdocCroc, and more.

12 p.m. - 6 p.m., more info, Bethune Park, 1304 N. 10th Ave., Minneapolis

The Art of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration

The University of Minnesota hosts its second annual Juneteenth Celebration block party and march. This year the events will be centered around Black joy, Black resistance, and Black rest. There will be a rose memorial, a moment of silence, performances, Black vendors, workshops, books, free food, free haircuts, a petting zoo, and more. 

12 p.m. - 6 p.m., more info, UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis

ROCC the City Juneteenth

For a more natural atmosphere, head to the Dodge Nature Center for a scavenger hunt, aquatic life exploration, and more outdoor activities with Dodge naturalists. DJ Jae Myth will provide music for movin’ and groovin’.

2 p.m. - 6 p.m., more info, Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St., West St. Paul

Juneteenth Dinner @ Frogtown Farm

Frogtown Farm sets their sights on a more equitable future with a special community event. Celebrating freedom and unity, they honor Juneteenth with an opening ceremony, story circles focusing on sustainability and community building and a potlikker-and-smoke-themed dinner curated by chef Lachelle Cunningham.

2 p.m. - 8 p.m., more info, Frogtown Farms, 946 Minnehaha Ave. W., St. Paul

Sunday, June 18

Burnsville Juneteenth Celebration — Free to Be

Burnsville’s Free to Be is a chill, and inclusive party. There will be performances by Heather McElrath, Catalyst Artist Collective, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips, and Afrocontigbo Dance Group. Get crafty with kids and unwind in the cooling bus or their sensory-friendly spaces.

1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., more info, North River Hills Park, 1501 19th Ave., Burnsville

Monday, June 19

Juneteenth Minnesota West Broadway Block Party

With two stages welcoming names like Ilhan Omar and Andrea Jenkins; history exhibits; and activities for the whole family, the West Broadway Block Party provides all sorts of entertainment, education, and resources.

10 a.m. - 1 a.m., more info, 900 West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis

Carbon Sound 1st Birthday Party

Carbon Sound is ringing in their 1st birthday on Juneteenth. Celebrating a year of supporting local music and Black musical expression with a lineup of rising Twin Cities DJs, including Ech0astral, Byzzara, Yhanté, Fanaka Nation, DJ McShellen, Kwey, Fluidtranquility, and DJ Pin. 

7 p.m., more info, Fine Line, 318 N First Ave., Minneapolis

St. Paul Juneteenth Celebration

The Capitol hosts an array of fun activities on the Capitol lawn that includes food, music, games, and face painting by Keshawn's Characters.

12 p.m. - 4 p.m., more info, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

Soul of the Southside Festival

The Legacy Building will take over the block for their second annual Soul of the Southside Festival. Hook & Ladder will be hosting more than a dozen performances spanning jazz, hip-hop, and R&B by local artists including iLLism, Nur-D, Jada Lynn, Huhroon, and Ricki Monique. See local Black artists in Art Walk at the Healing Square and attend family storytelling sessions at Moon Palace Books. 

12 p.m. - 8 p.m., more info, Hook & Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

Edina Juneteenth Celebration

​​Take the whole family to Centennial Lakes where you can plant a tree, take a story stroll, or take in music at the beer and wine garden. There will be plenty of food trucks and activities to reflect on the legacy of Juneteenth.

4 p.m. - 8 p.m., more info, Centennial Lakes, 7499 France Ave. S., Edina

Juneteenth in Rondo

Rondo Center of Diverse Expressions (RCODE) hosts their third annual Juneteenth observance serving the community. To highlight the connection between labor and Juneteenth, RCODE prepares entertainment, food trucks, and information for job applicants. They have a mission to provide resources and a goal to connect people with job leads “as a celebration of the human spirit, respect and the hope for better days ahead and its fundamental pillar of freedom to work with the expectation to be paid.”

12 p.m. - 5 p.m., more info, Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 820 Concordia Ave., St. Paul

June 23 - 24

Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom 2023

Orchestra Hall puts on a special program in honor of Juneteenth. Conductor André Raphel leads the Minnesota Orchestra through Adolphus Hailstork’s Three Spirituals and one of the most celebrated American symphonies ever written, William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony. A product of the Harlem Renaissance, the symphony combines orchestral stylings with elements of the blues. Justice Alan C. Page joins the orchestra to narrate Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, reading excerpts of Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches. A former Minnesota Viking and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Page is the first African American judge to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

8 p.m., more info, Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Here is The Current’s Juneteenth playlist, curated by Derrick Stevens:

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.