Photo:
iStock
The holiday Juneteenth commemorates and celebrates the day enslaved people in Texas finally received the news that they’d been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. They heard this news on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the proclamation outlawing slavery was issued.
Juneteenth events in the Seattle area invite families to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, a day meant to signify freedom from slavery and to lift up the African American community and its cultural traditions.
Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt
Date and time: Through June 18
Cost: Free
Take part in an ongoing Juneteenth scavenger hunt at Tacoma Public Library’s Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey and Wheelock branches to learn about the newest federal holiday and earn a prize!
Juneteenth Story Time
Date and time: Thursday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 19; 11 a.m.–noon
Cost: Included with museum admission (pay as you will)
Children’s Museum of Tacoma hosts special story time readings and activities in honor of the Juneteenth holiday.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
An all-day Juneteenth celebration is planned at Renton Library with activities for all ages including themed storytelling, a resource fair and community art project.
Celebrate Juneteenth at NAAM
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16 and Wednesday, June 19
Cost: Free
Join Seattle’s Northwest African American Museum for a three-day Juneteenth celebration featuring a family skate party at Judkins Park on Saturday, Father’s Day activities at the Museum on Sunday, and a community celebration on Wednesday featuring a book giveaway, free museum admission and family fun.
Juneteenth Community Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
The community is invited to grab lunch from a food truck while celebrating and supporting Black voices and businesses at Crossroads Park in Bellevue. There will also be music entertainment going on all day on stage.
Lacey Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Connect with the Lacey community and celebrate Juneteenth at a free barbecue lunch that also features activities for kids, entertainment, resources and more at the Regional Athletic Complex.
Eastside Honoring Juneteenth
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, noon–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
This Eastside celebration in Kirkland features Delbert Richardson and his “Unspoken Truths American History” traveling museum, plus other music performances, inspirational speakers, food and more at Juanita Beach Park.
Juneteenth in Lakewood
Date and time: Saturday, June 15, 3–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Lakewood City Hall will be open for an afternoon where the community can come together and celebrate Juneteenth with local leaders and enjoy performances and refreshments.
Revival: Juneteenth Pop-up Market
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, noon–5 p.m.
Cost: Free; items for purchase
Support local Black businesses in the heart of the Central District at a Juneteenth pop-up market in Midtown Square Plaza. Don’t miss an appearance by the Double Dutch Divas.
Songs of Black Folk: “Music of Resistance and Hope”
Date and time: Sunday, June 16, 7–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $40
Now a Juneteenth tradition, take a cultural journey through music at a concert spanning genres from spirituals to gospel, jazz, R&B and hip hop. Purchase tickets online for this show at the Paramount Theatre, but hurry, they are selling quickly.
Black Arts Legacies Celebration
Date and time: Tuesday, June 18, 6:30–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate local Black artists featured in Crosscut’s Black Arts Legacies project at this free community event taking place at Washington Hall in Seattle. Enjoy performances, food, dancing and more.
Washington State Parks Free Day
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19
Cost: Free
Enjoy a fee-free day in one of Washington’s amazing state parks, perhaps considering how freedom is fundamental to our human existence.
Juneteenth 2024
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to Cedar Valley Community School for music, games, food truck eats and a car show at this Lynnwood event commemorating Juneteenth.
Tukwila Juneteenth Commemoration
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
The City of Tukwila holds its fourth annual commemoration of Juneteenth with performances from DaNell Daymon & Greater Works and THROWBACKS Dance Team at the Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village. A free lunch will be served to the first 120 attendees.
Juneteenth at the Beach
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Show up for story time, music, free food, performances, a movie screening with free popcorn and more at Edmond’s annual Festival of Freedom celebration held at the Edmonds Waterfront Center.
Juneteenth Celebration at Stewart Heights Park
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the fam to Stewart Heights Park in Tacoma to enjoy musical performances, speakers and fun kids’ activities, while supporting the goal of economic growth within the BIPOC community. It’s the largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington State!
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, noon–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Mercer Island High School’s Black Student Union at its Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration held at Mercerdale Park. There will be live music, food trucks and activities for the kids.
Summer of Soul: Juneteenth
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, noon–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gather at Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle for a day of music, food, family activities and education honoring the resilience of the Black community.
Kenmore Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 3–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kenmore celebrates Juneteenth during its weekly Farmers Market at Town Square with art, music, crafts and more, including an African drumming performance by Kenmore Elementary students.
Shoreline’s Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 4–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Support local Black businesses, enjoy live performances, music and guided mural stroll at Shoreline City Hall Plaza where the city hosts its second Juneteenth celebration for the community.
Juneteenth Commemoration
Date and time: Thursday, June 20, 5:30–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Reflect on the significance of the Juneteenth holiday during an interactive mural-making session and conversation with BLK WINS, a resource for Black youth, at the Washington State History Museum. Preregister.
Honoring Juneteenth at Loyal Heights CC
Date and time: Friday, June 21, 3:30–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Make a craft, decorate your bike for a parade and learn about the Juneteenth holiday at Loyal Heights Community Center in Seattle. Bonus: There will be snacks!
Living Voices: “The Right to Dream”
Date and time: Friday, June 21, 3:30–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Witness the struggle for Black civil rights in this live performance incorporating archival film at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines. Preregister.
Juneteenth Celebration in Kent
Date and time: Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Lunch is part of the offerings at this annual Kent event to be held at Morrill Meadows Park aimed at building community among African Americans in South King County.
Atlantic Street Center’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Support Black-owned small businesses and honor freedom and culture this Juneteenth. Atlantic Street Center’s celebration held at Rainier Beach Community Center will feature vendors, community resources, as well as entertainment, family activities and food.
Snohomish County Community Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
The NAACP of Snohomish County invites the community to join a free Juneteenth celebration with food and fun at Willis Tucker Park.
Olympia Juneteenth Celebration Festival
Date and time: Saturday, June 22, 1–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the family to downtown Olympia’s Rebecca Howard Park for a Juneteenth Celebration Festival. Support Black-owned businesses while you enjoy live music and arts performances.
It Takes a Village Juneteenth Community Fest
Date and time: Saturday, June 22, 1:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
It Takes a Village Juneteenth Festival celebrates the Black community, seeks to share resources and services, and aims to promote the health and power of those with the least access to it. Bring the whole fam to Othello Park and enjoy arts and crafts, free soul food, balloon twisting and more.
Juneteenth Celebration at Les Gove Park
Date and time: Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Support Black-owned businesses and enjoy live music and fun activities for the kids at Auburn’s Les Gove Park. Be sure to check out the new historical exhibit created by Auburn high school students.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2021 and most recently updated in June 2024 by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara including adding in new Juneteenth events and updating past events for 2024.
