Celebrate Juneteenth 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:
June 15:
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. All happening on June 15, 5:30–8 p.m.
June 16:
Issaquah’s Grub and Groove Juneteenth event
Join the party on June 16 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. for music, food and entertainment at Village Green Park.
June 17:
Atlantic Street Center and Rainier Beach Community Center
This health-focused event is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 17 at Rainier Beach Community Center. There will be food trucks, vendors, cultural performances and community resources.
Black Farmers Collective’s Black Liberation Cookout: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride & Juneteenth
Celebrate both Pride and Juneteenth at a cookout at Yes Farm. With ingredients sourced from the farm, enjoy veggies, grilled chicken and more. Black vendors will be at this event as well as Small Axe Farms where you’ll be able to purchase produce. June 17, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
On June 17 from 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. 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.
Join the festival and celebration on June 17 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. with entertainment by Michael Powers and local artists. The event will be held at Kent Morrill Meadows Park.
Held on June 17 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. the Lacey event will offer a free BBQ lunch, live music and fun! The event will be held at the Regional Athletic Conference.
Celebrate with community at on June 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Willis D. Tucker Park. Free food and fun!
Northwest African American Museum
June 17 to 19
Celebrate with NAAM all week long with youth night, NAAM festival and a skate party.
Saturday is Youth Night at Sam Smith Park, with a soccer clinic, a game show and plenty of activities for the family.
Sunday is Film Festival Day at NAAM. Come to the museum and view 5 different films throughout the day. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
On Monday a Juneteenth celebration is planned with skating, yoga in the park, and a Black vendors market all at Judkins Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Presents Juneteenth 253 on June 17 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., a day of celebration that promises to be epic. Live music, food trucks, parade, car meet up and many vendors. The location is Wright Park.
Tukwila’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Head over to the Sullivan Center on June 17 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. for performances and a keynote from Reverand Dr. Kelle J. Brown. Food is available for purchase.
June 18:
Spend the day at Les Gove Park on June 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. celebrating the emancipation of slaves. The event will feature live music, food trucks, inflatable rides for the kids to enjoy and opportunities to support Black businesses.
Northwest African American Museum
June 17 to 19
Celebrate with NAAM all week long with youth night, NAAM festival and a skate party.
Saturday is Youth Night at Sam Smith Park, with a soccer clinic, a game show and plenty of activities for the family.
Sunday is Film Festival Day at NAAM. Come to the museum and view 5 different films throughout the day. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
On Monday a Juneteenth celebration is planned with skating, yoga in the park, and a Black vendors market all at Judkins Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Olympia Juneteenth Celebration
The Women of Color Leadership Movement, Media Island International along with the City of Olympia will host a Juneteenth celebration on June 18 from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at Rebecca Howard Park. There will be performances and presentations, as well as The Marketplace featuring a vendor area with Black-owned and operated businesses.
June 19:
City of Mercer Island Celebrates Juneteenth
Hosted by the MIHS Black Student Union and supported but the City of Mercer Island, celebrations will be held on June 19 from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Mercerdale Park. Children’s activities, music and food trucks will be on-site.
Free day in Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission last year 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.”
Juneteenth Celebration: A Road to Economic Freedom
Along with the City of Tacoma and other organizations, this Juneteenth festival will be on June 19 at 11 a.m. at Stewart Heights Park. The celebration will be host to over fifty vendors from trade associations, local businesses, nonprofits, and finance.
Northwest African American Museum
June 17 to 19
Celebrate with NAAM all week long with youth night, NAAM festival and a skate party.
Saturday is Youth Night at Sam Smith Park, with a soccer clinic, a game show and plenty of activities for the family.
Sunday is Film Festival Day at NAAM. Come to the museum and view 5 different films throughout the day. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
On Monday a Juneteenth celebration is planned with skating, yoga in the park, and a Black vendors market all at Judkins Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shoreline’s Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration
Enjoy this free event at Shoreline City Hall on June 19 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The celebration includes performances by Josias Jean Pierre spoken word, Northside Step Team, Double Dutch Divas, and more. Black small business and food vendors, a guided Juneteenth mural stroll, and much more at this free, fun, community celebration.
In celebration of Juneteenth, access The Right to Read for one day online for a free virtual screening. The Right to Read will be available to watch online from 12:00 a.m. ET to 11:59 a.m. PT on June 19 to anyone who registers. Viewers can also access the film on the day by visiting www.therighttoreadfilm.org.
Summer of Soul Series and King County Equity NowThese two groups will host an event at Jimi Hendrix Park on June 19 from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. with performances by award-winning artists Talon Kweli and Kevin Ross. The event is free but you must reserve your tickets online.
June 24:
It Takes A Village- AMSA Edition
Held on June 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Celebrations will be held at Othello Playground. There will be a vendor marketplace, resources, Soul Food/ Cultural African Diaspora dishes, a caricature artist, balloon twister, Kids Corner, photo booth, ice cream social, entertainment, demonstrations, and much more.
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.
