The Official List of Juneteenth Events Around Dallas-Fort Worth (2024)
Juneteenth celebrations occur in many Black American households, especially in Texas. It commemorates the freedom for enslaved people in the United States. As of June 2021, Juneteenth is recognized as an American federal holiday.
History of Juneteenth
In 1863, The Emancipation Proclamation marked the official end to slavery in the United States. However, not all enslaved people living in Confederate states were made free until years later. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, TX announcing the freedom of enslaved black people. This pivotal day became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. It commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States for Black Americans and has been celebrated for many generations.
Over the years, activists like Opal Lee advocated Juneteenth’s designation as an official American holiday. This ultimately became a reality on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed a bill designating Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday. Opal Lee affectionately known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth” was in attendance for this historic moment at the White House.
Today, cities across the United States celebrate Juneteenth with parades, festivals, and events. While Texas has long celebrated this occasion, the federal holiday has broadened awareness encouraging others to participate and learn about Juneteenth’s historical significance for Black Americans.
Check out this list of Juneteenth events around Dallas-Fort Worth
Arlington
2024 Juneteenth Celebration
Free music festival with food trucks and vendors
Date and Time: June 15th from 5 to 10 pm
Location: Levitt Pavilion- 100 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76010
Dallas
Juneteenth 4K Walk and Freedom Festival
Walk and festival with entertainment, vendors, and activities for the whole family.
Date and Time: June 15th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center- 2922 MLK Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75215
Sign-up requirement for the 4K walk. The cost is $15 per person or $135 for a team of 10, and the festival is free to attend.
4th Annual Elite News North Texas Juneteenth Celebration, March & Festival
Free event with music, speakers, food vendors, and performances
Date and Time: June 15th from 3 pm to 10 pm
Location: William Blair Jr. Park- 3000 Rochester Street, Dallas, TX
Fair Park Juneteenth Festival
Date and Time: June 15th from 9am to 9pm
Location: 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
Free event but reservation is required.
Dallas Juneteenth Festival
Performances, food, art, entertainment, music
Date and Time: June 16th from 12-6 pm
Location: Lofty Spaces- 816 Montgomery Street, Dallas, TX 75215
Admission is free but reserve online
Opal’s Walk for Freedom
A 2.5-mile walk to recognize the years it took for freedom to reach people in Texas.
Date and Time: June 19th from 9 to 10 am
Location: African American Museum of Dallas- 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Denton
Denton’s Juneteenth Celebration
Free admission offers various events, entertainment, food, and vendors.
Date: June 14th– 19th
Location: Fred Moore Park- 501 S Bradshaw Denton, TX 76201
Visit https://dentonjuneteenth.com/ to stay up to date for the daily festivities.
Fort Worth
Taste of Juneteenth
Food festival with free admission
Date: June 15th from 12 pm to 6 pm
Location: Sycamore Water Park- 2525 East Rosedale Street, Fort Worth, TX 76105
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Free general admission at the gardens
Date: June 19th all-day
Location: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
McKinney
Juneteenth Celebration
Food, entertainment, and fun for the whole family
Date: June 15th from 4 pm to 9 pm
Location: Finch Park- 301 Standifer St, McKinney, TX 75069
Plano
Sounds of Africa
Performance of drummers and singers
Date: June 13th from 5 pm to 8 pm
Location: Legacy West in the Lexus Box Garden- 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75024
Fashion Show
Date: June 15th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Legacy West (In front of the Nike Store)- 5905 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75024
Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration: “Praising Unity in Our Community”
Date: June 19th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Douglass Community Mural- 1099-901 12th Pl, Plano, TX 75074
Juneteenth Celebration and Parade
Parade and festival at the Plano African American Museum and the Boys and Girls Club. Festival with music, horse rides, food trucks, and more!
Date: June 22nd from 11 am (parade start) to 7 pm
Location: The parade starts at the theater parking lot in the courtyard located at 1509 H Ave, Plano
The Colony
Grandscape Juneteenth Celebration
Free event with trivia, music, and fun events
Date: June 19th from 7 pm to 9 pm
Location: Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Stage & Lawn- 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX 75056