Philadelphia sees special celebrations of Black history and Black culture erupting across the region to commemorate Juneteenth.Â
The longest-running holiday celebrating Black emancipation from slavery, Juneteenth (officially June 19, 2024) marks the moment that enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they had been freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, officially ending the American slave trade.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated nationwide with historical reenactments, educational programming, parades, festivals and more.
For the third year in a row, the City of Philadelphia’s official Fourth of July celebration — known as Wawa Welcome America — includes Juneteenth events in partnership with The African American Museum in Philadelphia, kicking off a season of independence in Philadelphia starting on June 19 and continuing through July 4.
Additionally, major festivals in West Philadelphia, Germantown and Chester County — as well as attractions and venues like Eastern State Penitentiary, Longwood Gardens, and more — offer robust programming to commemorate the anniversary.
Read on for ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Greater Philadelphia in 2024.
Note: This article is arranged in chronological order.
