Juneteenth Chicago 2025 is set to be a huge city-wide celebration this year!
During this momentous federal holiday, Chicago is truly alive with celebration, community, and education, as organizations in and around the city host many Juneteenth events that honor the liberation of Black people in the United States.
When thinking about how to celebrate Juneteenth in Chicago, you’ll find yourself with plenty of options. The federal holiday falls close to the weekend in 2025, which means you can expect several days of vibrant Juneteenth celebrations and plenty of activities throughout the city. From lively block parties to diverse community makers markets, this holiday can be enjoyed and should be experienced by all.
Check out this comprehensive guide to exciting events and celebrations taking place across Chicago for Juneteenth 2025!
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a holiday that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It became a federal holiday in 2021 and has been celebrated annually on June 19th in the United States since 1865, originating in Galveston, Texas.
Thousands of guests will be inspired to reflect upon the profound legacy and ancestral roots of Black people as programming highlights the resilience, solidarity, culture, and progress of Black communities.
Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Chicago: Events Across the City
Whether you’re seeking family-friendly festivals, art showcases, parades, or late-night celebrations, there’s no one way to honor Juneteenth in Chicago. Explore over 60+ events across the city, from cultural markets to dance parties, all reflecting the richness of Black joy.
Week-Long Events
Juneteenth Celebrations at the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Sister Circle Juneteenth Themed Candle Making Class
Juneteenth Freedom Day with the Chicago Park District
June 17
5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Market by Refine Collective
Bronzeville x Kimiski Juneteenth Takeover
June 18
Boxville Summer Markets Kickoff
Life Within the Lens: Juneteenth Edition at Music Box Theatre
Juneteenth celebration at Garfield Park Conservatory
Sam Thousand Duo | WPFG Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth with the Committed Knitters
Juneteenth Celebration & Community Convening
Faith & Freedom: Connecting with the Spirit of Juneteenth
Juneteenth R&B Music Experience at Wintrust Arena
The Emancipation Ball 2025: Chicago’s Premier Juneteenth Event
The 1865 Fest Military Honors Flag Raising Ceremony 2025
Building Black ERGS: A Juneteenth Soirée
From The Low End With Love: Juneteenth Celebration Vol. IV
June 19
A Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum: Juneteenth Parade and Concert
The 1865 Fest: Juneteenth 2025
Juneteenth Annual Community BBQ
A Few Good Men Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth Rhythm & Blues Cafe
Juneteenth Celebration: A Family Affair at New Mt Pilgrim MB Church
FLY GIRL (Juneteenth Celebration)
Fellowship On Da Block: Juneteenth Block Party
The Juneteenth Experience at ROOF on the WIT
Transcendance: A Black Trans Variety Show, Juneteenth Edition
Juneteenth Extravaganza on Ellis 2025
Thank You Chicago: Juneteenth For The Culture Market
Juneteenth Party at The Promontory
Juneteenth 2025: Black Joy & Wellness
Juneteenth Celebration ft. The Magnificent Mile Orchestra
Juneteenth Party on the Patio at Ja Grill
Juneteenth Celebration: For Our Family, Friends, and Neighbors
For Di Gyal Dem’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Day Party
Boxing Out Negativity, Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth Karaoke at Turner Häus Brewery
Echelon x PVO presents Juneteenth Celebration at Puttery
Juneteenth Day Party 2025 with the Chicago White Sox & Eventnoire
Juneteenth Volunteer Day with My Block, My Hood, My City
One Year Celebration: The Cookout Juneteenth
Juneteenth Celebration at Navy Pier
Link Up Chicago Juneteenth Celebration
Grown Folks Stories Juneteenth Edition
Bouncin: A Juneteenth and Pride Skate Party
Civil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery
June 20
Juneteenth with Jazz and Justice
South Africa to the South Side with Kabza De Small ‘In the Round’
Juneteenth Art Social: Something I Can Feel
June 21
South Side YMCA Juneteenth Celebration
90’s/00’s Loc Hair Show: Juneteenth
Juneteenth Pop-Up Shop at Mana Contemporary
Juneteenth Celebration at Harold Washington Cultural Center
Anthropologie Juneteenth Pop-up Market
June 22
Juneteenth Black & Boujee Day Party
Why Juneteenth Will Always Matter to Me
As I think about all of the incredible Juneteenth celebrations happening in Chicago for 2025, I reflect on how this holiday was spent 5 years ago, in similar unprecedented times.
It was 2020—Trump was President, and we were still navigating the ongoing impacts of the global pandemic. During that time, my girlfriends and I did what we could to keep our spirits up. We supported Black-owned businesses (with takeout orders, of course) and gathered with like-minded people at a beautiful home in theHyde Park neighborhood.
This was my entry point into this crucially important holiday in American history: a restorative day with my community, celebrating the freedoms that we now have and continuing to honor that freedom by gathering and supporting Black people and the community.
As you decide on what you will do during Juneteenth in Chicago, I hope that it brings you laughter, peace, and joy.
