Juneteenth is an annual celebration of slave emancipation that began in 1865 and became a federal holiday in 2021. This national holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The name “Juneteenth” combines the words “June” and “nineteenth” and marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved individuals were free.  Check out these Juneteenth events and festivals commemorating this historic day:

June 13-15

6th Annual "Juneteenth Weekend Celebration 2K25", Bowling Green

June 14

Juneteenth Solidarity Bicycle Ride, Louisville

Juneteenth Gospel Explosion, Georgetown

2025 Juneteenth Festival, Madisonville

Juneteenth Jubilee, Lexington

June 15

Juneteenth Freedom Day, Lexington

June 19

Ancestors Dream - Juneteenth Celebration, Louisville

3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Midway

Juneteenth Celebration 2025, Louisville

Juneteenth Celebration 2025, Nicholasville

3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Florence

June 19-21

Heart of Kentucky Juneteenth Celebration, Harrodsburg

June 21

Soulteenth Fest, Lexington

Juneteenth Banquet 2025, Lagrange

Juneteenth Freedom Day, Henderson

Lake Cumberland Juneteenth Jubilee 2025, Somerset

Juneteenth Celebration, Lexington

1st Annual Freedom Day Festival at Camp Nelson National Monument, Nicholasville