Correction:
The Juneteenth Musical Celebration at Jilly’s was corrected to clarify that B & V Family Community Resource House is the presenter.
While June 19 is recognized as a federal holiday, Juneteenth celebrations are already underway in Akron and Northeast Ohio and will continue through the end of the month.
June 19, 1865, marks the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation giving enslaved people their freedom.
Signal Akron’s sister newsroom Signal Cleveland created a list of events celebrating the holiday.
Did we miss an event? Please email us at news@signalakron.org.
Akron-area events
Juneteenth Celebration – Genius of Freedom
Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
The historic farm will go back in time to 1872, when America was in the middle of Reconstruction and Ohioan Ulysses S. Grant was running for the presidency. Visitors will learn how this important time in history shaped, and continues to shape, the country. $8-$15 (Western Reserve Historical Society members, active military and youth 2 and younger are free), wrhs.org
Juneteenth 2025 with the Akron Urban League
Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Akron Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Get ready for a day of live performances, food trucks, local vendors, family-friendly activities and more at the Akron Urban League headquarters. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, reinforces the importance of unity and community resilience. This event is in collaboration with the Akron NAACP and The Freedom Bloc.
Juneteenth Celebration and Parade
Saturday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Parade begins at Buchtel Community Learning Center, 1040 Copley Road
Parade from Buchtel Community Learning Center to the John Brown House (514 Diagonal Road). Activities include tours, live music, entertainment, vendors and more. Parade steps off at 11:30 am. Where: 1040 Copley Road. Sponsored by the Village Keepers of Ohio, Buchtel PTA, and the Summit County Historical Society.
Juneteenth Musical Celebration at Jilly’s
Saturday, June 21, 7 to 11 p.m. | Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St. (next to Luigi’s)
B&V Family Community Resource House will host a Juneteenth celebration featuring live music, food and vendors.
Cleveland-area events
Joyful Juneteenth event
Monday, June 16, 1 to 2 p.m. | Fulton Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 3545 Fulton Road
Come celebrate Juneteenth at the Fulton Branch of the Cleveland Public Library as members of the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers share Juneteenth stories. Crafts and refreshments will follow presentation.
Meet the Composer: Errollyn Wallen at East Cleveland Public Library
Tuesday, June 17, 2:30 to 5 p.m. | East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave.
For its 2025 Juneteenth celebration, the East Cleveland Public Library presents an afternoon with Errollyn Wallen, a Belize-born British composer and one of the world’s top 20 most-performed living classical composers. Events include a performance of “Remember, Marimba;” a discussion with the audience, and an art activity organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Wallen’s visit culminates in a free concert at 6 p.m. in the Greg Reese Performing Arts Center.
Juneteenth Celebration at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 3 Public Square in downtown Cleveland
The celebration will focus on the origins of Juneteenth and include a reading of General Order No. 3, which declared that all enslaved people in Texas were free, and dialogue about its meaning. Story time featuring books from the Cleveland Public Library’s inventory, coloring stations, snacks and monument tours will also be available.
What is Juneteenth?
Saturday, June 21, 1 to 3 p.m. | Memorial/Nottingham Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 17109 Lakeshore Blvd.
Learn about the history of Juneteenth while making keepsake buttons. Age-appropriate activities planned for teens and tweens.
Third Space Action Lab Bet on Black Events
Select dates through June 29 | 464 East 105th Street #302
Juneteenth events throughout the month include a Soiree Garden Party at the Rockefeller Greenhouse, a TSRR Book Club discussion of “Happy Land,” a meet and greet with authors Cebo Campbell and Bree Baker, an intergenerational lunch, a yoga/meditation session and much more.
Cincinnati-area events
Make Your Own Juneteenth Flags
Tuesday, June 17, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Avondale branch of the Cincinnati Public Library, 3566 Reading Road
Use easy outline and craft supplies to make your own Juneteenth flags. No registration necessary.
Preservation in the Park: Ezzard Charles tribute
Tuesday, June 17, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street
Stories about legendary boxer Ezzard Charles, the Cincinnati Cobra, have resounded throughout the city for years. That tradition continues as Cincinnati Preservation and Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses share stories about Charles’ celebrity.
Juneteenth Jubilee at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | 50 E. Freedom Way
A day of dynamic live performances on the plaza and unique vendors awaits attendees. Inside the Freedom Center, guests can enjoy mini-tours and drop-in activities. Thanks to a generous donation from the Fifth Third Foundation, admission to the Freedom Center during this event is free.
Juneteenth Block Party Celebration
Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 3458 Reading Road
The Urban League of Southwestern Ohio presents the 4th annual Juneteenth Block Party with food trucks, family-friendly games, and hands-on art, all while local radio legend Lincoln Ware broadcasts live from the event.
Paloozanoire’s 6th Annual Juneteenth Block Party
Saturday, June 21, 4 to 11 p.m. | The Banks, East Freedom Way
Cincinnati’s largest and most-anticipated event returns with Food Truck Alley, DJs, an upgraded Family Zone and the return of the Homecoming Experience honoring the Divine 9 fraternities, sororities and alumni organizations. Free, but RSVP required.
Black Wall Street and Juneteenth Block Party
Saturday, June 21, noon to 4 p.m. | Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore St.
The Cincinnati Young Entrepreneurs and Sweet Sistah Splash present a young entrepreneurs’ business fair with food trucks, live music, line dance classes, a T-shirt printing station, youth resource speakers and much more.
Columbus-area events
Juneteenth Commemoration at King Arts Complex
Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 835 Mount Vernon Ave.
A day of activities including a Juneteenth Poetry Slam, community yard sale, live music, local vendors and more.
Juneteenth Ohio Jubilee
Thursday, June 19, noon to 4 p.m. | Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave.
Get ready for a vibrant celebration of culture, community and history through educational reenactments, food demonstrations, film screenings, live music and much more. This is a free event, but registration is strongly encouraged.
Juneteenth Bash Book Fest
Sunday, June 22, 1 to 5 p.m. | 1467 E. Long St.
The MLK branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library invites you to participate in their literary extravaganza. Indulge in books, authors, music, refreshments, prizes, children’s activities, health screenings and more. Register for this event through Eventbrite and be entered into a drawing for $25 gift cards.
Juneteenth 2025 – Kelton House & Museum
Sunday, June 22, 2 to 5 p.m. | 586 E. Town St.
The Kelton House Museum and Garden will host an afternoon of poetry readings and African drumming by Akwaaba, an All-Women’s West African Drum Group. Poets include Susann Moeller, Chiquita Mullens Lee, Karen Scott and Rose M. Smith. Free admission, but please register.
