Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 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:
Friday, June 13
Black Night Market | Friday, June 13 & Friday, June 20 | 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Pier 62 | Free | All ages | This market hosts two vibrant markets featuring a diverse lineup of BIPOC vendors, performers, and food trucks.
Saturday, June 14
Snohomish County Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Martha Lake County Park, Lynnwood | Free | There will be a BBQ, vendors, music, games, dancing for the whole family to enjoy as a way to honor the past and celebrate.
Juneteenth Community Celebration | Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Crossroads Park, Bellevue | Free | All ages | The event will feature live entertainment and music, food trucks with a blend of soul food flavors, vendor booths!
Bellevue Juneteenth Celebration. Photo courtesy: Eton School).
Eastside for All | Saturday, June 14 | 12 to 4 p.m. | Juanita High School, Kirkland | Free | All ages | Join this community Juneteenth celebration featuring music and dance, food, vendors, nonprofit organizations and more.
Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 14 | 12 to 4 p.m. | Galaxy Theatre, Monroe | Free | All ages | This Juneteenth celebration will feature a free movie, food trucks, line dancing, crafts and games.
Sunday, June 15
Juneteenth Celebration in Mountlake Terrace | Sunday, June 15 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Mountlake Terrace Library | Free | All ages | Enjoy entertainment, games for kids, engaging speakers from the community, networking and a delightful array of free food and local vendors.
Wednesday, June 18
Kenmore Juneteenth Celebration | Wednesday, June 18 | 3 to 7 p.m. | Kenmore Town Square | Free | All ages | experience a day filled with music, food, cultural performances, and community spirt. There will be crafts, activities and learning resources in the Hangar building during the event.
Juneteenth Celebration at Kenmore Farmers Market. (Photo courtesy: Kenmorewa.gov).
Atlantic Street Juneteenth Celebration | Wednesday, June 18 | 5 to 8 p.m. | Rainier Beach Community Center | Free | Tickets here | All ages | Celebrate Juneteenth with live performances, local vendors, food trucks, speakers and more.
Thursday, June 19
Free Entrance Day at National Parks | Thursday, June 19 | All day | All National Parks | Free | Today all national parks that charge admission, including the three national parks located in Washington (Mt Rainier, Olympic, North Cascades), will offer free entrance to everyone.
Free Entrance at State Parks | Thursday, June 19 | All day | All State Parks | Free | All State Parks are free on Juneteenth Day, that is, they do not require a Discover Pass or parking fee to park your car.
Celebrate Juneteenth at NAAM | Thursday, June 19 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Northwest African American Museum | Free | All ages | This year’s program will feature: a black artists market, free k-12 books, children and family activities, their annual skate to freedom roller skate party and much more.
Tukwila Juneteenth Commemoration | Thursday, June 19 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village | Free | All ages | Join the fifth annual Junteenth Commemoration featuring speakers, storytelling, dance and choir performances and more.
Mercer Island Juneteenth Celebration | Thursday, June 19 | 12 to 3 p.m. | Mercerdale Park | Free | All ages | Hosted by the Mercer Island High School Black Student Union and the City of Mercer Island. Enjoy children’s activities, live music, vendors and food trucks.
Juneteenth at the Park | Thursday, June 19 | 12 to 8 p.m. | Jimi Hendrix Park, Seattle | Free | RSVP here | All ages | Join this Juneteenth celebration featuring a full day of live performances, vendors, family activities and more.
Tacoma Juneteenth Commemoration | Thursday, June 19 | 5 to 8 p.m. | Washington State History Museum, Tacoma | Free | All ages | The experience will feature performances by Black artists and musicians, along with a presentation by Abram that reflects on the history and significance of Juneteenth.
Black Night Market. (Photo courtesy: Friends of Waterfront Park).
Friday, June 20
Black Night Market | Friday, June 20 | 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Pier 62 | Free | All ages | This market hosts two vibrant markets featuring a diverse lineup of BIPOC vendors, performers, and food trucks.
Saturday, June 21
Kent Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 21 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Morrill Meadows Park, Kent | Free | All ages | There will be entertainment by Michael Powers and local talent as well as free cultural food that will be served at 12:30 p.m.
It Takes a Village: Juneteenth | Saturday, June 21 | 1 to 6 p.m. | Othello Playground, Seattle | Free | RSVP here | All ages | Join a day filled with music, food and community and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth Kick-Off Fan Fest | Saturday, June 21 | 4 to 8 p.m. | Grand Stage Plaza, Issaquah | Free | All ages | Engage in Juneteenth education/storytelling, test your soccer skills in challenges, enjoy live music and much more.
Sunday, June 22
Auburn Juneteenth Celebration | Sunday, June 22 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Les Gove Park, Auburn | Free | All ages | 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.
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.
