ST. LOUIS — In celebration of Juneteenth, there are several events happening this weekend in the St. Louis area.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a nationally recognized holiday, as well as a Missouri State holiday, and was designated as an official holiday by St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Both municipalities will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. 

Known as Black Independence Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the Confederate states.

Juneteenth is a combination of June and nineteenth, which is the date in 1865 when General Orders No. 3 informed the enslaved people in Texas they were free, according to Katrina Thompson Moore, Ph.D., associate professor and undergraduate director in SLU’s Departments of History and African American Studies. 

Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, 1863, it only ended slavery for those in the Union, or Northern states, not for those who lived in the Southern or Confederate states, which considered themselves entirely separate.

Slaves became free as Union troops won battles and took over Confederate territory.  

On June 19, 1866, a year after the general orders were announced, formerly enslaved people in Texas chose that date to collectively celebrate the end of slavery.

 

Juneteenth Events

 

Below is a list of Juneteenth events:

  • St. Louis County will host a Juneteenth Pop-up Shop Saturday, June 17, at North County Recreation Complex from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can browse more than 30 vendors from across the St. Louis region. The event is free to shoppers.
  • The Neighbors Impacting Communities (NIC) in partnership with Stay Focused will hold an inaugural Juneteenth Festival in Soulard Park Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature vendors, free entertainment for all ages, and more.
  • The Juneteenth Community Ride is set for Saturday, June 17, starting at 9 a.m. at Tandy Recreation Center, presented by River City Outdoors, Trailnet 4 The Ville and the Missouri Historical Society with support from the Regional Arts Commission. The event celebrates Black artists, musicians, and history with a bicycle ride, live performances from area musicians and storytelling of the city’s history, and more.
  • The third annual Juneteenth Caribbean Heritable Festival: Missouri Gateway to Freedom and Justice will take place Saturday, June 17, at Forest Park presented by Africans Rising Together 2063. A commemorative walk and program will begin at 7 a.m. with children’s activities, live music and entertainment, food and culture vendors and more taking place throughout the day.
  • The third annual Juneteenth Celebration in University City Loop is set for Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m. on Delmar Boulevard from Leland to Limit avenues. Sponsored by The Loop Special Business District, the event will feature Black-owned businesses and vendors, along with live music, storytelling, and drums.
  • Family-friendly Juneteenth activities are taking place at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and the Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes food, art activities, and interactive performances in shared outdoor spaces.
  • The city of Ferguson’s Juneteenth Celebration is set for Saturday, June 17, from 1-6 p.m. at Plaza at  501. The event will feature live music, entertainment, an art fair, small business vendors, a children’s area, and more.
  • The city of Bellefontaine Neighbors’ annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bellefontaine Recreation Center. The event will feature trivia, a talent show, an art contest, vendors, a petting zoo, a bounce house and more.
  • The Illinois Juneteenth Committee – Metro East will host a Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 17, at East St. Louis City Hall beginning at 10 a.m. that will include a flag-raising ceremony, a motorcade, and other festivities.
  • The annual Wellston Juneteenth Block Party will take place Sunday, June 18, from 4-8 p.m. at Trojan Park. The event is free and open to the public that will feature live music and more.
  • The Illinois Black Woodstock Festival Juneteenth Edition is set for Monday, June 19, from 3-8 p.m. in East St. Louis, Illinois. The event will include live performances, food and more.
  • The city of Dellwood 2023 Juneteenth Community Fair and Color of Change Parade will take place Monday, June 19, at the Dellwood Recreation Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature a community resource fair, skating vendors, a parade and more.
  • SAINT LAAA FAB is putting on the second annual Juneteenth “Free-Dome” celebration of African heritage, history and culture Monday, June 19, at Fairground park from 1-7 p.m.