If you are looking for ways to celebrate Juneteenth, St. Louis has some sensational events. From festivals and block parties to bike rides and musical performances, you can find an event to join in community celebration.
Juneteenth, recognized as a U.S. federal holiday under the name Juneteenth National Independence Day, falls on June 19 and commemorates the date when Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, in 1865.
If you are looking for more events in St. Louis, check out our all-encompassing 2024 list of concerts, theater, and arts and music festivals. Be sure to keep an eye on our weekend events listing and Instagram to get the latest on everything from theatre to dance and music to museums.
Juneteenth Celebration presented by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Join the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for an uplifting experience honoring Juneteenth, featuring empowering spoken word by Tracy Stanton, a presentation about the history and meaning of the Juneteenth holiday by Dr. James Tucker, and performances by Ballet 314 and members of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
WHEN: Thursday, June 13
WHERE: Missouri History Museum
COST: Free
Issa Kickback: Juneteenth Celebration presented by the St. Louis County Library
This all-ages Juneteenth kickback will have food trucks, yard games, a live DJ and a performance by Gentlemen of Vision.
WHEN: Friday, June 14
WHERE: St. Louis County Library (Lewis & Clark Branch)
COST: Free
Celebrating Juneteenth: Creating Our Futures presented by the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museums Juneteenth celebration will feature a panel of artists with practices rooted in the principles of Juneteenth and will discuss the importance of remembering history and ways we can imagine new Black futures. André Fuqua and Brianna McIntyre of Occupy Vacancy confront legacies of racism and urban renewal in north St. Louis neighborhoods, and Patrick Earl Hammie’s series I AM… THE NIGHT explores the psychology of racism through lynching photographs manipulated to look like Rorschach tests.
WHEN: Friday, June 14
WHERE: Saint Louis Art Museum
COST: Free
Neighbors Impacting Communities (NIC) Juneteenth in Soulard – 2024
Join Neighbors Impacting Communities in their third-annual Juneteenth celebration, featuring free entertainment and activities for patrons of all ages.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Soulard Park
COST: Free
Ferguson Juneteenth Celebration
This celebration will have an art fair, food trucks, live music, a children’s area, a new business ribbon cutting, small business vendors, and more.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Plaza at 501
COST: Free
ART 2063: 4th Annual Juneteenth Caribbean Heritage Festival
This celebration features a commemorative walk for freedom and justice, inspiring speeches, live music and entertainment throughout the day, a children’s village with face painting, bouncy houses and more, and a variety of vendors.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Forest Park (Cricket Field)
COST: Free
Juneteenth Celebration (Delmar Loop)
The Delmar Loop Juneteenth Celebration festivities include an energizing 5K Morning Run (Race for Reconciliation), an afternoon vendor fair, and an evening celebration featuring performances by talented African dancers, drummers, musicians, and even a car show!
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Tivoli Theatre (Delmar Loop)
COST: Free
2024 Juneteenth Community Ride presented by River City Outdoors
This Juneteenth event celebrates St. Louis’s Black artists, musicians, and history with a bike ride featuring post-event activities and live music.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: 4206 Kennerly Ave
COST: Free
2024 BLK Family Reunion Festival
BLK Family Reunion Festival was created to unite the Midwest and highlight the region’s culture through music, activities, food, and family. This Juneteenth Weekend extravaganza features a stellar performance and DJ lineup, a kid and gaming zone, and a variety of food, drink and small business booths.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Harris-Stowe State University
COST: Free
Juneteenth Program: Rhythms, Rhymes and Cultural Times
This one-woman show by Peggy Harris is a collection of narratives depicting the lives of various strong Black women, including an African Royal’s recount of the slave trade, Harriett Tubman’s journey to freedom, Harriet Scott’s support of her husband Dred, and Luisah Teish’s call to join women of color together to embrace their culture and spirituality.
WHEN: Saturday, June 15
WHERE: Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
COST: Free
5th Annual Juneteenth Festival Block Party presented by House of Soul
This Juneteenth Block Party will feature a VIP Lounge, live music/bands/DJs, various vendors, a street fashion runway experience, a kid’s zone, live street painting, games, karaoke and more.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 19
WHERE: 12th-13th Washington Ave.
COST: Free
The City of Dellwood 2024 Juneteenth Festival
This Juneteenth Celebration in Dellwood features a community resource fair, parade, art and oratory contest, kid zone and live music.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 19
WHERE: Dellwood Recreation Center
COST: Free
3rd Annual Juneteenth “FREE – DOME” Celebration Produced By Saint LAAA FaB
The Juneteenth “FREE-DOME” Celebration is a one-day, family-oriented event celebrating the rich heritage, history, and culture of people of African descent.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 19
WHERE: The Griot Museum of Black History
COST: Free
A Celebration of Black Composers presented by Gateway Festival Orchestra
The Gateway Festival Orchestra led by Guest Conductor Terrence Abernathy celebrates Juneteenth with a cultural and musical feast that pays homage to the enduring contributions of Black composers. From the emotional depth of “Darker America” by William Grant Still to the classical elegance of “Symphonie Concertante” by Joseph Bologne, the soul-stirring beauty of Florence Price’s “Adoration,” and iconic jazz selections by Miles Davis, the program is a testament to the richness and diversity of Black musical voices. Works by St. Louis composers Blake Hernton and Terrence Abernathy add a personal and contemporary touch to the evening.
WHEN: Thursday, June 20
WHERE: Terry M. Fischer Theatre
COST: FREE
4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration with Old North STL
Get ready to honor and celebrate Juneteenth with friends and family with a day filled with music, food, and community at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration!
WHEN: Saturday, June 22
WHERE: North 14th Street & Montgomery Street
COST: Free
The annual #BlackWallStreet314 festival is filled with cultural experiences, live entertainment, including a Juneteenth concert, Black business street fair, health and community resource fair and more! The special guests for this year’s event are national recording artists Roscoe Dash and Travis Porter.
WHEN: Saturday, June 29
WHERE: 5955 Dr Martin Luther King Drive
COST: FREE
How do we fill this list? Great question! Here is the short answer – it’s not easy. StLouisArts.org is powered by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, the largest public funder of the arts in the region. We are here to lift up all the artists, arts programs, and arts organizations who make St. Louis great. If you don’t see a show or event on the list, it’s possible we just forgot to add it. You can always email us!
Photo credit: St. Louis Symphony Website and BLK Family Reunion Festival website
