Celebrate Juneteenth 2024 in the Seattle area! It’s an annual event remembering the emancipation of slaves in the United States, and now it’s an official state holiday in Washington.
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing the slaves in the Confederate states. Union soldiers made their way through those states sharing the good news. Soldiers reached Texas (their final stop) on June 19, 1865, two years after the proclamation was made.
After hearing that slavery had been abolished, the former slaves of Texas celebrated with dance, songs and prayers.
Here are some things to do to celebrate Juneteenth around the Seattle area:
Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt (Multiple Locations)
Join the Tacoma Public Libraries for a Juneteenth scavenger hunt from June 1st to June 18th at these branches: Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock during open hours for a fun kid’s scavenger hunt. Recommended for K-5 and grades 6-8.
June 1-18. 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Daily.
Address: Multiple locations
June 15
Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom at Renton Library
Enjoy events and activities for all ages. Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States and is a federally recognized holiday. Please register for each workshop at kcls.org. Workshops include a community resource fair (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), Juneteenth-themed storytelling (12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.), and more. Free event.
Saturday, June 15. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: Renton Library, 100 Mill Ave S, Renton, WA 98057
Northwest African American Museum Skate Party
NAAM’s three-day Juneteenth Celebration begins with their Annual Juneteenth Skate Party at Judkins Park. Attendees will enjoy free skate rentals, music, food, and more. Free.
Saturday, June 15. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Judkins Park and Playfield, 2150 S Norman St., Seattle, WA 98144
The Lacey Juneteenth event will offer a free BBQ lunch, live music by Andy Stokes, and a short program, free haircuts by Olympia Barber School. The event is free to the public.
Saturday, June 15. 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: Regional Athletic Complex, 8345 Steilacoom Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98513
Celebrations will happen at Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland. Head on over for an enthralling program with speakers, dance and music. Food trucks, vendors and resources will also be available. Learn more here.
Saturday, June 15. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Juanita Beach Park, 9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland, WA 98034
June 16
Celebrating Fathers: Juneteenth Celebration at NAAM
NAAM’s Second Day of Juneteenth Celebration continues with their Father’s Day Celebration at the museum. Visitors will enjoy free Admission with music, films, and gifts in recognition of Father’s Day. They will also host an in-person interactive storytime reading of ‘Emmett Till: Sometimes Good Can Come Out of a Bad Situation’.
Sunday, June 16. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
June 19
WA State Parks Free on Juneteenth
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission added Juneteenth as a free-admission day in state parks, saying, in part, “The new designation reflects a commitment among state lands agencies to promote diversity, equity and inclusion as core values.” All State Parks do not require a Discover Pass or parking fee for this day.
Wednesday, June 19. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: Multiple locations. Find a State Park near you.
City of Mercer Island Celebrates Juneteenth
Hosted by the Mercer Island High School Black Student Union and the City of Mercer Island, the Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Mercerdale Park. Enjoy children’s activities, live music, and food trucks. Children’s activities include face painting, a balloon artist, and more. Get ready for the MIHS Drill Team to perform. Free.
Wednesday, June 19. 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: Mercerdale Park, 3009 77th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Shoreline Juneteenth Celebration
Come celebrate at Shoreline’s Inaugural city-sponsored Juneteenth community celebration with performances, a Black small business marketplace, food vendors, a guided mural stroll and much more! The celebration will take place in the lobby and on the plaza. This event is free to the public.
Wednesday, June 19. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
Juneteenth Celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park
Bring the whole family to celebrate in the community at Seattle’s Juneteenth celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park. Including a full day of live performances, vendors, family activities and more. This event is free, but please RSVP.
Wednesday, June 19. 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: Jimi Hendrix Park, 2400 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
NAAM Juneteenth Day Celebration
NAAM’s 3-Day Juneteenth Celebration concludes with their Juneteenth Day Celebration. Attendees will enjoy free admission to the museum, a KIP Book giveaway, and community activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Wednesday, June 19. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
City of Tukwila Annual Juneteenth Commemoration
The City of Tukwila welcomes the community to come together for its Fourth Annual Juneteenth Commemoration. There will be speakers, storytelling, dance and choir performances and more! FREE food for the first 120 attendees from Swagg-N-Wagon Wings & Things Food Truck. This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, June 19. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Address: Sullivan Center, 14350 Tukwila International Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98168
Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom
Along with the City of Tacoma and other organizations, this Juneteenth festival will be at Stewart Heights Park. The celebration will be host to over fifty vendors from trade associations, local businesses, nonprofits, and finance. The festival will include a main stage filled with performances and speakers, an interactive kid’s zone and stage, face painting, and a playground. This is a free event.
Wednesday, June 19. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Stewart Heights Park, 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Tacoma, WA 98404
June 20
Juneteenth Commemoration at the Washington State History Museum
Hear local youth writers present their original work as well as writer from the African American Writers’ Alliance will compose and read their original works that talk about the historical significance of the holiday. This program will conclude with an interactive mural-making session. Free with registration.
Thursday, June 20. 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Address: Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
June 22
Juneteenth Celebration: Atlantic Street Center & Rainier Beach CC
Atlantic Street Center and Rainier Beach Community Center invite families to celebrate Juneteenth with live performances, local vendors, food trucks, speakers, and more at Rainier Beach Community Center. Each event attendee will receive one ticket for a free food item from one of the confirmed food vendors. This is the 23rd annual Juneteenth Celebration, which is free to the public. Reserve a spot here.
Saturday, June 22. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Celebrate with the community and join the Juneteenth Community Celebration at Willis D. Tucker Park. Free food and fun.
Saturday, June 22. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: Willis D. Tucker Park, 6705 Puget Park Dr, Snohomish, WA 98296
It Takes A Village- AMSA Edition
Juneteenth celebrations will be held at Othello Playground. There will be a vendor marketplace, resources, Soul Food/ Cultural African Diaspora dishes, a caricature artist, a balloon twister, arts and crafts, a photo booth, caricature art, entertainment, demonstrations, and more.
Saturday, June 22. 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Address: Othello Playground, 4351 S Othello St, Seattle, WA 98118
June 23
Come celebrate Juneteenth with the City of Auburn, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Equity. Come participate in community fellowship, support local small businesses, and learn from community leaders. Enjoy local artists and musicians and lots of free activities for kids of all ages. This event is free to the public.
Sunday, June 23. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: Les Gove Park, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
More things you can do …
- Honor the day by cooking traditional foods – go Southern or celebrate with a red drink (a traditional symbol of perseverance). Many celebrate by drinking strawberry soda.
- Read to your children about the history of slavery and about social justice. Choose books about heroes of the era, such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth.
- Support Black-owned businesses.
- Check with your local community to find celebratory gatherings, protests, meditation walks and speaker engagements.
- Remember and reflect on American history while thinking of how far we need to go for equity and equality.
Check out the Seattle’s Child Calendar for more events.
