Here are the local events and festivities to help honor the holiday’s indelible significance.
The longest - go African American vacation , Juneteenth , is quickly approaching , and here in Chicago , a boniface of party and events will keep you lionize all weekend long . Juneteenth , or Jubilee Day , Emancipation Day , Freedom Day , and Black Independence Day , for over a one C has beena time of pitch-dark celebration in this country , but only last year was recognized as a federal holiday … and it ’s about damn time ! The vacation mark June 19 , 1865 , the 24-hour interval troops enter Galveston Texas to ensure that every enslaved Black American was free , though slaveholding had been abolished for over two years prior with the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation . The date is a harrowing monitor of our area ’s past , and while the holiday does not shy aside from that chronicle , it is first and foremost a day to celebrate Black achievements , culture , joyfulness , resilience , and pride . In Chicago , there are countless ways to celebrate from block parties and motorcycle rides to parades and live euphony outcome . Here are 19 shipway to celebrate Juneteenth this year .
Pedal through the streets to celebrate Black joy
Sunday , June 19 , 11 am - 4 pm200 S. Michigan AvenueNothing enounce community more than biking together for a aim . The folks over atBlack JoyRide , an organization that recognise the mental and strong-arm health benefit of biking , place to get Black folks on bicycle and this year ’s organise drive is going to be a near one . The route will start on Michigan Avenue near Millennium Park at the former Johnson Publishing Building — the first African American - build up structure in Chicago that held John H. Johnson ’s influential African American publishing company — and make its path to the south to Hyde Park end at the DuSable Museum where remote activities like broiling and music will be taking place . impart a helmet , your sunglasses , water , snacks , and of course of action , your bike . price : Free
Stay grounded with yoga and a sound bath
Sunday , June 19 , 11 am - 2:30 pmLuluLemon 944 North AvenueHow about starting your mean solar day with a little self - dear before the Juneteenth eventide ’s festivities ? ThroughSlo ’ Mo upshot , Chelsea McFadden will be lead a relaxation yoga practice with mats and cube provided by LuluLemon at 11 am conform to by a 1 pm meditative strait bath led byTune in with Tristin . Both events will get you feeling tingly , nurtured , and calm . Cost:$20 per class or $ 30 for both
Sip the night away at Moneygun’s Juneteenth Party
Sunday , June 19 , 5 pm - lateMoneygunMoneygun will be hosting a spanking night of dance with music kick off at 8 pm byDJ Police State . Plus , in the spirit of pride , the bar is donating $ 1 toBrave Space Alliancefrom each rotating specialty cocktail sell from theirMonthlygun cocktaillist . booze a cocktail and endorse a undecomposed cause ? Yes , please . toll : No cover
Feel inspired by a dynamic musical
Friday , June 17 , 1 pm - 3 promethium and 6 - 8 post-mortem examination ; Saturday , June 18 , 4 - 6 pm ; Sunday , June 19 , 7:30 - 9:30 pmVittum TheaterHighly respected producer , speaker unit , host , and professor Ted William III is behind this stunning two - hour melodic dramaturgy performance,1619 : The Journey of a People , The Musical . The show knavishly portrays how propagation of African Americans have fought for par from the Great Migration to current social jurist move . incorporate a multifariousness of musical dash from hip hop to jazz , and featuring a fantastic cast of dancers , actor , and singers , this show is designed to energize and inspire . Cost:$35 - $ 69
Activate your endorphins at a 5k run
Saturday , June 18 — registration start 8:30 postmortem - 9:15 pmGarfield ParkThis is the 2nd year thatPeace Runner 773will be host their Juneteenth 5k walking / rill . Peace Runner 773 is a Chicago non - profit organization that advocates for wellness and health in Chicago ’s west side through adult and youthfulness programing . The 3.1 - mi route will start out near Garfield Park and end on the football field . After run , expect a wind - down accompanied by live medicine and community bonding . All yield will go towards Garfield Park Gators Youth & Football . Cost:$10
Party with your Uptown neighbors at a Jubilee Fair
Saturday , June 18 , 11 am - 3 pmHarry S. TrumanNon - profit organizationVoice of the People , which focuses on low-priced housing for Uptown residents , has organize this Juneteenth Jubilee and Community Resource Fair for the Uptown community . The Juneteenth fair aims to get neighbors and friends to congregate and celebrate the holiday through game , solid food , live music , and more . Proof of uptown residence is not required , so come one come all . price : spare
Learn, eat, and play at DuSable Museum’s Juneteenth BBQ
Sunday , June 19 , 11 am - 8 pmDuSable MuseumThe DuSable Museum and Chance the Rapper will be present a day and evening full of food , drink , conversation , account , artistic creation , game , hogback rides , and special performances . Along with the festivities , the historical museum ’s doorway will be open free to all guests . Among the identification number of inspiring exhibits on display is the currentQuilting Exhibition , a stunning quilt made by Melvina Young , a former striver . Whatever you do , do n’t forget to BYOG ( Bring Your Own Grill ) for an larger-than-life community cookout . Cost : Free
Soak up the entertainment at Douglass Park’s Village Fest
Saturday , June 18 , 12 promethium - 6 pmDouglass ParkBack in 2020 , theVillage Leadership Academystudents bring home the bacon in rename this common to Douglass Park to honor the work of Anna and Fredrick Douglass . This year Juneteenth Village Fest will be commemorating African Americans ’ liberation from slavery by hosting celebration in the newly named Douglass Park throughIt Takes A Village Family of Schools ( ITAV ) . The Clarence Day will include amusement from a chief stagecoach with a music performance by Ric Wilson , stand - up by Leon Rogers , dance by Redd ’s Angelz with Hiplet Ballerinas , and magic by Spellbinder , to name a few . If that was n’t enough , kid- and adult - well-disposed activities like costless carnival ride , games , marketer booths , a petting zoological garden , face painting , and sway mounting , are reverberate to keep your head teacher spinning . Cost : costless
Dance it out at a Community Picnic
Saturday , June 18 , 11 am - 5 pm91st & ProspectCelebrate Black culture , medicine , food for thought , creativeness , and more at this lively community picnic learn place in the beautiful Dan Ryan Woods . The event will let in Back own vendors , Black graphics , music , plastic film , and small fry - centric entertainment . Also featured will be a solidifying by DJ Jeff Da Illest , and live Afrobeat performance by Queen Drie , Jesse Nation , and Victor Coke . Cost:$10 for grownup and $ 5 for 18 and under
Take to the streets alongside Juneteenth icon Opal Lee
Saturday , June 18 , 10 amStarting at Robert Crown Center area lot in EvanstonAt 95 , Opal Lee stay one of the most influential Juneteenth organizers . Some even consider her the grandmother of Juneteenth . Her decades - long work organizing walks across the land and her message that this holiday is about single has helped labour Juneteenth to be recognized as a federal vacation . This year , Chicago will host The National Opals Walk for Freedom campaign and is favorable to have Opal walk in our streets to celebrate the actualization of her work . Make a streamer and foreland northerly to see the icon herself . Cost : devoid . Pre - registration with donations appreciated .
Devote the whole weekend to the 1865 Fest
June 17 - 19 , 11 am - 8 pmGarfield ParkThis three - day upshot hold at Garfield Park has a lineup of family - friendly activities like live medicine , educational workshops , and no shortage of free food for thought and salutary time . Highlights of the weekend include a flag - nurture ceremony on Friday , educational workshops on Saturday , and a father ’s day grill off with live musical entertainment on Sunday , Juneteenth . Cost : costless
Listen closely to a book discussion
Thursday , June 16 , 6 pmOnlineIf for some reason you ca n’t provide your theatre this weekend but still want to take part in the spirit of Juneteenth , the Chicago Public Library is host the eventVoices for Justice Juneteenth Celebration , where author , poet , and scholar , Clint Smith , will discuss his Word , How the Word Is pass : A Reckoning with the chronicle of Slavery Across America . The event will be live - swarm through the Chicago Public Library’sYouTube channelandFacebook page . price : Free
Get lost at an art exhibition celebration
Saturday , June 18 , 6 - 9 pmThe Joy Room ChicagoWhen you ’re seem for a calmer , more contemplative weekend event , abstract mountain lion Victoria Slone ’s showing , All That They carry , seeks to stimulate conversations about the narrative of those who were enslaved in the United States and honor their bequest . All proceeds from the exhibit will be donate to theChicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression . Cost:$5
Let loose at a block party
Sunday , June 19 , 12 post-mortem examination - 10 pmThe WoodlawnThe Woodlawnis hosting a Juneteenth Block Party this year , and it is going to be jamming - pack with activities like an adult saltation class , father ’s twenty-four hour period tourney , funniness showcase , natural endowment search , dj , prize competitions , local trafficker , picture kiosk , karaoke , and more . In the eve , the jubilation will continue with an adult - only party with live music and boozing . Cost : Free
Spruce up for the Emancipation Ball
Saturday , June 18th , 7 pm - 11 pm99th Floor of Willis TowerIf you ’ve been looking for a grounds to get fancy , do n’t hesitate to grab tickets to this inaugural Emancipation Ball prepare by Moor ’s Brewing Co. and Disbəlēf Tequila . The bleak - tie event will have a especial coming into court from Chicago Bear ’s newsperson Herb Howard , and music by DJ Sean Mac and DJ Bamn . The ballock will have an open bar , hors d’oeuvres , a Black art exposition , a spectacular sundown opinion , and a pyrotechnic display . There will also be a collective pledge to excellence because , of course of study . Cost:$150 - $ 400
June 19 , 1 - 5 pmHarold Washington Cultural CenterThis event is sure to get you in the humor to celebrate Juneteenth with a card of live dancing fromM.A.D.D Rhythms , Chicago Tap Theater , Blu Rhythm Crew , andThe Happiness Club . To flush , the effect will also have shop , raffles , fine art , and gratuitous solid food . price : liberal
Spend your dollars at local Black-owned businesses
Sunday , June 19 , 2 pmThe PromontoryThe Promontoryin Hyde Park will be host a Black - owned business pop - up market where trafficker will be selling many items from clothing , beauty products , graphics , and more . Make certain to total hungry as there will be a card of solid food vendors dishing out their specialism . Cost : spare
Celebrate your dad too at this Lawndale Juneteenth kickback
Sunday , June 19 , 4 - 9 pm3200 W. Douglas Boulevard , between Kedzie and AlbanyBring your dad to this kickback - style Juneteenth and founding father ’s sidereal day solemnisation in Lawnsdale host byLight Up Lawndale . If you ’re the competitory type , you ’ll be aroused to know that there will be potato bag sack subspecies , double dutch contests , hopscotch , and hula hoop contests . More place - back activities admit live euphony , a mini cable car show , and DJ appearance . Cost : Free
Paint your face and pet a lizard at UCAN’s celebration
Saturday , June 18 , 11 am - 3 pmUCAN ’s Drost Harding CampusThis UCAN Juneteenth solemnization will uplift the lives of our Black community through a round - up of undeniably fun kid ( and adult ) activities like chess game games , a waterslide , reptilian cuddling menagerie , face house painting , and a bounce house . There also will be execution byCongo Square Theatre , Celestial Ministries Drum Line , and community of interests storytelling . Local vendors will be selling everything from organic structure care , and books , to barbeque and psyche food . price : Free
Flickr/risingthermals
blackjoyride
MONEYGUN
Voice of the People Uptown Chicago
DuSable Museum of African American History
Chicago Tap Theatre
Congo Square Theatre Company
