Juneteenth celebrates the abolition of slavery in the United States and families have been celebrating on June 19 for 156 years. Our list includes Juneteenth events in Chicago and across the suburbs perfect for kids, including virtual events, car parades, festivals and more.
We selected some our top picks below and you can find a full list of Juneteenth events on our calendar.
Chicago
Black Culture Week Juneteenth Caravan & Festival
June 18-19, 2021
- Address: A. Phillip Randolph Porter Museum, 10406 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Beginning on Chicago’s West Side, the City Wide Juneteenth Caravan will pass through historic neighborhoods and sites on its way to the South Side’s A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. View the caravan’s activities on a live stream from the organization’s website. The caravan ends with a two-day recognition ceremony and spoken word concert.
Black Creativity Family Day
June 19, 2021
- Address: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free, museum admission is free for all on June 19, but requires advanced registration
Guests can watch a recorded performance by poet J. Ivy and share their reflections by contributing to a written word collage. Museum admission will be free on Family Day, but capacity is limited and tickets must be reserved online in advance.
Roll N Peace: Juneteenth Celebration
June 19, 2021
- Address: Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can hop on their bikes for a cycling celebration of unity. Roll N Peace is organized by Think Outside da Block, which works to reduce crime in Englewood through youth education and events.
Juneteenth Ball Chicago 2021
June 19, 2021
- Address: Chicago Hope Cafe, 2431 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago
- Cost: $100-$150, advanced tickets required
Families are invited to enjoy dinner and dancing under a tent to celebrate and applaud the success of Black Americans in Chicago. A VIP reception will precede the event.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Skokie Juneteenth
June 19, 2021
- Where: Various Locations, Skokie
- Cost: Free parade, fees for food and some activities; reservations required
After the Juneteenth Parade in Evanston, join chefs and performers at Devonshire for cooking demonstrations, bites and children’s activities. The party moves to Sketchbook Brewing for a special Juneteenth brew as well as more food and live performances.
South Suburbs
Juneteenth Celebration
June 19, 2021
- Address: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland
- Cost: Free
Celebrate freedom, family and country with various self-guided activities and exhibit displays. Nature center activities will be highlighted along with registration-based guest presenters discussing Black history, arts and culture. Check the Sand Ridge Nature Center Facebook page for a list of guest speakers and registration information. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Juneteenth Journey Through African American History
June 19, 2021
- Address: Upper Room Ministries Missionary Baptist Church, 17601 Wentworth Ave., Lansing
- Cost: $20, $10 ages 5-12
Families are invited to learn about the major eras in African American history through live performances. Learn about the impact of slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, Brown vs. Board of Education and Black Lives Matter. Masks are required to enter the building, but can be removed during the Jerk Dinner buffet.
Juneteenth Black Market Vendor Expo
June 19, 2021
- Address: American Legion Hall, 9701 S. Kedzie Ave., Evergreen Park
- Cost: Free, fees for drinks and food
Check out more than 30 Black-owned businesses and enjoy food, drinks, music and more. Per CDC requirements at the time, masks and social distancing may be required.
Homewood Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival & Virtual Parade
June 19, 2021
- Address: Homewood-Flossmoor High School, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor
- Cost: Free
The HF Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of African American culture as expressed through food, music, dance and arts. The mission is to provide an environment that celebrates and showcases the uniqueness, power and endurance of African Americans. In the event that it can’t take place in-person, the festival will continue virtually.
Juneteenth/Summer Solstice Celebration
June 19, 2021
- Address: Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, 1 University Parkway, University Park
- Cost: Free, RSVP required; $10 suggested donations for those who can
Families can enjoy jazz music performances, spoken word and poetry, a focus on Juneteenth-relevant monumental sculptures in the park and a drumming call to celebrate. There will also be an art exhibition, kids activities, refreshments, photos and more.
Western Suburbs
Children’s Story Trail and Craft: Juneteenth
June 18-20, 2021
- Address: Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Walk a short trail near the museum while you enjoy reading a posted story celebrating the history of the Juneteenth holiday. Afterwards, stop by the museum to pick up a craft and activities bag to continue the adventure. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Virtual
100 Years Later: The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre – Juneteenth Commemoration
June 17, 2021
- Cost: Free, RSVP required
Join a virtual discussion, hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum, with Dr. David Gray, Phil Armstrong and author Carlos Moreno about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre offers a unique opportunity for us as a nation to pay our respects to those who suffered in one of the most unforgettable crimes of domestic terrorism and racial violence in U.S. history. On May 31 and June 1, 1921, white mobs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, attacked the city’s Black residents and businesses. They murdered hundreds of people and destroyed 35 square blocks in the city’s Greenwood District, also called “Black Wall Street,” which had been the wealthiest Black community in the United States.
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