Celebrate the historical importance and cultural significance of Juneteenth around Champaign-Urbana
Head out with your family to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates emancipation in the U.S.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is an annual holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks June 19, 1865, the day a group of enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that they were set free — almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth was first celebrated in Texas on June 19, 1866. The day is also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, but Juneteenth is now the most commonly used name. Celebrated annually on June 19, Juneteenth falls on a Wednesday this year. Check here for information on what holiday closures you can expect.
Juneteenth over the years
Public Juneteenth celebrations in Champaign-Urbana are nothing new. In 2005, the Champaign Park District, Champaign Public Library, and others presented one of the first broad civic Juneteenth celebrations, bringing recognition of Juneteenth to the forefront for the Champaign-Urbana area.
In June 2020, amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd, the holiday received unprecedented attention from people of all races. Many corporations announced they would make Juneteenth a paid holiday, while others made the day about education. Petitions began circulating to make Juneteenth a national holiday or day of observance.
During the spring 2021 session, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation that made Juneteenth a state holiday starting in 2022. At the national level, President Biden signed the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” into law on June 17, 2021, recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Juneteenth events in Champaign-Urbana
Friday, June 14, 2024
<h4>Juneteenth 2024: Reflections and Reverence Ceremony</h4>
<h5>11:30 am</h5>
JUNETEENTH 2024: REFLECTIONS AND REVERENCE CEREMONY The City of Urbana Office of Human Rights and Equity and the Juneteenth 2024 Committee enthusiastically announce an event in honor of the Juneteenth holiday! The event, “Juneteenth 2024: Reflections and Reverence Ceremony,” occurs at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Urbana…read more…
Saturday, June 15, 2024
<h4>Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration at Douglass Park</h4>
<h5>12:00 pm - 3:00 pm</h5>
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States, is one event you don’t want to miss. Enjoy music and visit different vendors while learning about this important holiday. Children can make arts and crafts, play on the bounce house and obstacle course, or get soaked in the Splash Pad. For all ages!
Sunday, June 16, 2024
<h4>Juneteenth Celebration</h4>
<h5>1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</h5>
Join Urbana Park District and The Urbana Free Library for a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration at the Lake House in Crystal Lake Park! Enjoy music, food and refreshments, fishing, UrVANa Mobile Recreation Unit games and activities, community resources, and more as we celebrate Black freedom and achievements in Urbana and beyond.…read more…
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
<h4>Juneteenth at the Pool</h4>
<h5>1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</h5>
Celebrate with races, contests, prizes and more!$8 Resident/$12 Non Resident
<h4>Juneteenth Celebration</h4>
<h5>2:00 pm - 6:00 pm</h5>
Local vendors will be in attendance. Activities include kickball, tug of war, relay races. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served. This event is free to the community, come out to watch live performances from local artist, dance teams and spoken word.
<h4>Juneteenth Day Party</h4>
<h5>4:00 pm</h5>
It’s that time again, y’all! Head to Neil St. Blues for their annual Juneteenth Celebration! Juneteenth falls on a week day this year, but that doesn’t stop the celebration! Featuring a full dinner buffet, sounds by DJ Frostbyte, drink specials, and unlimited fun! Juneteenth Day Party June 19th at 4:00…read more…
Thursday, June 20, 2024
<h4>Uncorked: Juneteenth Special Edition</h4>
<h5>6:00 pm - 8:00 pm</h5>
Central Illinois- It's UP! With friends at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, they present Chicago’s own, Billboard chart-topping singer, and song-writer: Syleena Johnson (Official), Thursday, June 20th at Stage 5 at Krannert Center at 6 PM. Make plans to come dance, socialize, and network at this Uncorked, Juneteenth special…read more…
Juneteenth deals in nearby cities
Some large cultural institutions offer free admission or other special deals on holidays with historical significance, and it looks like a trend is beginning for such deals to be offered on Juneteenth now that more families may be able to take advantage of having a holiday from work. A brief look around our region reveals an assortment of special Juneteenth deals at museums and other attractions. (Note that these admission deals may or may not be related to Juneteenth content except where noted; Juneteenth observances in these cities are too numerous to list here.) As always, check before you go to see if advance reservations are required.
- DuSable Black History Museum, Chicago. Free for all, RSVP required.
- Field Museum, Chicago. Free admission on Wednesday, June 19 including a special Juneteenth story time at 11 a.m.
- Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis. Free admission on Saturday, June 15, featuring the Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration.
- Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, and various locations. Free admission on Saturday, June 15. Many special events throughout the day.
We have a few ideas for how to celebrate Juneteenth without going to a “special” event:
- Support Black-owned businesses, including restaurants, retailers, service providers, and others.
- Some people eat traditional Black Southern cuisine like fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread. (Don’t want to cook? Order from a Black-owned restaurant, such as Neil St. Blues or Wood N’ Hog.)
- Incorporate red-colored foods and drinks in your celebration, and educate your family and friends why with this article. These could include strawberry soda and red velvet cake.
- June is also Black Music Month. Black musicians traverse multiple genres — find a playlist on your favorite streaming service.
- Share this holiday with your children through books, several listed here.
- If you prefer to watch a video about Juneteenth with your family, this website details three videos about Juneteenth for kids.
Know of a family friendly Juneteenth event in Champaign-Urbana that we don’t have on our list? Take a moment to submit it for consideration on our event calendar now.