21 ways to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth around the Twin Cities
Across Minnesota and the entire country, Juneteenth will be celebrated with art, food, and community.
Juneteenth — sometimes called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day — became an official Minnesota state holiday in 2023, but its history runs much deeper. The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Not when it was outlawed, but when it truly ended.
On June 19, 1865, union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, sharing and enforcing the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed two years earlier. This is marked as the true end of slavery in the country.
Even if companies like Target are backing away from diversity initiatives and government agencies are attempting to erase history, communities will continue to recognize this important holiday as a celebration of freedom and opportunity to remember our shared history.
Here are some of the many ways Juneteenth will be commemorated around the Twin Cities.The annual Juneteenth celebration at Bethune Park is back this year with community, music, and other activities throughout the day. 12–6 p.m. at Bethune Park in Minneapolis (free)This event, co-hosted by the Midtown Global Market and Midtown Greenway Coalition, features a "freedom ride" through historic landmarks, a reenactment honoring the Juneteenth proclamation in Galveston, Texas, theater at the market, and a community meal. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Midtown Global Market and elsewhere in Minneapolis (free)
Northside Junteenth Weekend Celebration: Family Festival
Day two of the Northside festival starts with a free pancake breakfast and rolls on with vendors, games, and live music. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Sanctuary Church Block in Minneapolis (free)The Woodbury festival has speakers, a performance from the dance group Afrocontigbo, drumming and poetry from the Irreducible Grace Foundation, music, family activities, and food to help the community "spend the day in reflection of how far we've come and how far we still need to go." 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Ojibway Park in Woodbury (free)the final day of the Northside celebration has a BBQ cookout and family swim at Webber Pool. There will also be free food and ice cream in addition to the swimming. 12–3 p.m. at Webber Swimming Pool in Minneapolis (free)The Minnesota Humanities Center hosts a program with culinary historian and award-winning author Dr. Jessica B. Harris, discussing the role of food in our identities and cultural heritage. The program is followed by a gathering that includes a taste of signature dishes from local chefs. 5:15–8 p.m. at Minnesota History Center in St. Paul ($25)Artists, musicians, poets, and art lovers are invited to come and express themselves. 6–8:30 p.m. at Loring Park in Minneapolis (free)The huge festival has a whole lot going on, including art exhibits, food, dance performances, live music, DJs, yoga, a sound bath, drum circles, a Black-owned marketplace, and more. The street festival also has live music at the nearby Hook & Ladder Theater, including sets from iLLism, Fanaka Nation, Mayyadda, Pierce Brown, Omar AbdulKarim, and others. 12-8 p.m. at the corner of E. Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis (free)The block party on West Broadway includes food trucks, vendors, family activities, and a parade at 11:30 a.m. Parade at 11:30 a.m., festival from 12–6 p.m. at West Broadway Avenue from Lyndale Avenue to Girard Avenue in Minneapolis (free)The Meet at Mia series lands on Juneteenth and features a performance from LAAMAR, who curated a lineup of other artists to join him. There will also be rock painting and community quilting with the Roho Collective. 5-9 p.m. at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis (free)The ROC in St. Louis Park is hosting roller skating throughout the summer, but on Juneteenth the open skate will be free for everyone. It will also include a performance from the Twin Cities Skaters, a DJ, and the Ralph's Rib Crib food truck stationed outside. 4–6:30 p.m. at The ROC in St. Louis Park (free)The Minnesota Orchestra celebrates Juneteenth with music written and performed by Black artists, including conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush, Wordsmith, and John Holiday. 7 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis ($39–$53)"The Journey of Four Families" exhibit will be unveiled on Thursday, showcasing the stories of Rondo neighborhood families. The event includes speeches and food. 12–5 p.m. at Rondo Commemorative Plaza in St. Paul (free)The Wolverines Jazz Quartet, Rick Carlson, Jendeen Forberg, and Steve Pikal lead a tribute to Twin Cities jazz singer Debbie Duncan. 7 p.m. at The Dakota in Minneapolis ($40.75–$45.75)Maple Grove's festivities include a vendor fair, food trucks, family activities, and other entertainment. 5–9 p.m. at Town Green in Maple Grove (free)In Edina, the festivities take place around the Centennial Lakes Farmers Market. The event includes speakers, food vendors, and music from Chantel Sings and Duniya Drum & Dance. 3–7 p.m. at Centennial Lakes Park in Edina (free)An afternoon of family activities, historical exhibits, games, and food will be hosted by Black Lives Matter Minnesota at the State Capitol. 12–6 p.m. at the State Capitol in St. Paul (free)It's billed as a "powerful and playful" show that blends "culture, liberation, and sexy burlesque over delicious brunch vibes." 11 a.m. at Icehouse in Minneapolis ($15–$22)A parade walk, family activities, arts activities, live music, food trucks, and more are part of the events in Brooklyn Park. 1–5 p.m. at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park (free)The Grammy-winning Sounds of Blackness headline the event that includes food, vendors, and a performance from JAJA Band African Drumming. 1–4 p.m. at Ridgedale Commons in Minnetonka (free)Local artists, food, games for kids, and a gathering space for community are served up. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Golden Valley Lutheran Church in Golden Valley (free)This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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