31st Annual Juneteenth Douglass Freedom & Heritage Festival
June 14-16

The first Juneteenth celebration in Memphis was in 1993 in Douglass Park, North Memphis by Glynn Johns-Reed. Her exhaustive efforts has inspired Juneteenth Celebrations in most black communities in Memphis. This year will be Juneteenth Douglass' 31st year! The festival will feature an array of activities throughout the weekend including performances by the African Jazz Ensemble and National Jookin League, exhibitions, food vendors, educational workshops, and more. The weekend lineup includes:

Youth Day | Douglass Park
June 14 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Marcus.901 and National Jookin League | Douglass Park
June 15 | 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Community Honors | Douglass Park
June 16 | 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

 The Shell on Wheels will be onsite on Saturday and Sunday to feed your live entertainment needs.

TONE’s Juneteenth Weekend
June 14-16

Spades Tournament | TONE Gallery
June 14 | 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. 

It’s time to play your cards right! Pull up to TONE Gallery for a night of games, good vibes, and beautiful Black folks. While the spades tournament is going on, they'll also have other games and activities like Jenga and Uno for the whole family to play. The deadline has passed for tournament team forms, but you are still able to register to attend the event.

The Gala and The Afterparty | Orange Mound Tower Grounds
June 15 | 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

TONE’s annual Gala is a chance for our fundraisers, donors, and esteemed guests to unite over an eloquent evening of fellowship. This year's Juneteenth Gala will be held on the grounds of the Orange Mound Tower, the large tower across the street from TONE Gallery. The Gala outfit theme is "Sunday's Best," so pull up lookin church fly. Parking for the Gala will be across the street in the parking lot of TONE Gallery.

Juneteenth Festival | Orange Mound Tower
June 16 | 3 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Celebrate Black resilience, growth, excellence, and culture! Bring the whole family for the food trucks, festivities, and performances by local and celebrity headliners. This year they’re bringing out Juicy J, Curren$y, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown a.k.a. Erykah Badu, and Hitkidd.

City of Memphis Juneteenth Festival Weekend
June 14-15

Greek Forest of Trees | Health Sciences Park
June 14 | 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Reserve and decorate a tree in the park to kick off the festivities.

Juneteenth Freedom Walk/Run | Health Sciences Park
June 15 | 8 a.m.
Participate online or in person in the 2.5 mile walk/run. They also have a fun dash for children ages 2-11. All registered participants will receive a finisher medal.

Car Exhibition | Health Sciences Park
June 15 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

It’s back to back action! See all the sharp and clean whips line the street.

Greek Yard Show | Health Sciences Park
June 15 | 6 p.m.

Hosted by Memphis’ very own Jeremy Pierre, watch the yard and see the Divine 9 stroll through the park at this Greek Yard Show.

Juneteenth Celebration | Memphis Public Libraries - Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
June 13 | 3 p.m. 

Celebrate Juneteenth at the library. They will read stories, have crafts, and celebrate the holiday! For ages 12 and under.

4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Ride | Mud Island
June 15 | 7 a.m.

Major Taylor Memphis would like to invite you to the 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Ride. They will have multiple routes/distances of 23, 44 & 63 miles with supported SAG stops. Check out the pre-ride social at Loflin Yard and post-ride brunch.

Juneteenth Dream Summit | Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
June 15 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join in on this allstar panel of celebrities, global entrepreneurs, and local influencers, banks, city leaders and more to learn to join FREE fun sessions geared towards teaching your family and kids how to build financial wealth. There will be free entertainment from LYE Academy to keep you energized during this event so you will not want to miss it!

3rd Annual Juneteenth Blackwall Street Expo | 1720 RKS Commercial Cove
June 15 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Experience the vibrant atmosphere, enjoy live performances, and indulge in delicious food from local vendors. The event is a fantastic opportunity to support Black-owned businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Juneteenth Celebration | LeMoyne-Owen College
June 15 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Are you ready for a really good time? Plan now to hear the sounds of Jerome Chism and Devin Crutcher, giveaways, re-enactment of 1865, shopping, and lots more fun at the annual Juneteenth celebration!

Juneteenth Shop Black Festival | Fourth Bluff Park
June 15 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The 4th Annual Juneteenth Shop Black Festival features live entertainment, 100 Black businesses, food trucks, and food vendors!

Juneteenth Fest | Memphis Public Libraries - Cordova Branch
June 15 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join the Cordova Branch Library for the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Fest. Along with entertainment, Memphis artists will display and sell locally made jewelry, apparel, bags, candles, soap, woodwork and more.

Juneteenth B.O.B. Block Party | Butteriffic Bakery & Cafe
June 15 | Noon - 5 p.m.

The street will be filled with food trucks, vendors, a live DJ, and good vibes. Bring chairs, blankets and tents if you want to set up in the Navy or Army Parks.

The Black Farmers’ Market | Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
June 15 | Noon - 5 p.m.

The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis presents the Black Farmers’ Market, a seasonal weekly community farmer's market bringing food, fun, and folks together for all the fellowship and familial southern vibes. In the historic South Memphis, on the grounds of the historic Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, the market seeks to bring together farmers, growers, foodpreneurs, artisans, and makers to serve as an outlet for selling locally grown produce, dairy, farm raised meats, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade goods, and more directly to the public and strengthening the local food system, economy and health of our community.

Juneteenth Pop-Up Shop | DiVine Memories Banquet Hall
June 15 | 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

This event celebrates Black culture and entrepreneurship, showcasing a variety of vendors offering unique products and services. Support local businesses and enjoy a day of fun and festivities. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with the community and celebrate Juneteenth in style!

Je’Caryous Johnson’s New Jack City | Orpheum Theatre
June 15 | 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Je’Caryous Johnson’s New Jack City live on stage fuses the captivating thrill-a-minute story, the memorable lines everyone knows and loves and the iconic musical soundtrack of the original cult classic hit movie, New Jack City. Fans will relive the non-stop drama of one crime family bonded by blood and forged together through friendship and audiences will be transported back to the early 90s when drug kingpin Nino Brown takes over the Carter apartment complex.

Juneteenth Legacy Mural Dedication | Douglass Community Center
June 15 | 5 p.m.

The dedication of the stunning "Juneteenth Legacy Mural," a powerful artwork created by artists Jamond Bullock (@alivepaint) and Eric Okdeh (@okdehmurals). Commissioned by Douglass as part of UrbanArt Commission's neighborhood art initiative program, this mural is a tribute to the ancestors celebrated annually in the park on Juneteenth. It serves as a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and the ongoing fight for freedom and justice. All are welcome to attend this meaningful occasion.

Juneteenth Block Party | The Palace at Cordova
June 16 | 3 p.m.

Get ready to celebrate Juneteenth with a day filled with music, food, and community vibes! They’ll have card games, vendors, food trucks, and space available to rent an outdoor tent space.

Teen Steam: Juneteenth String Art | Memphis Public Libraries- Frayser Branch
June 17 | 2 p.m.

Enjoy a special teen string art program celebrating Juneteenth, where you can create your own unique artwork while learning about the significance of this important holiday.

The Color Purple | Orpheum Theatre
June 17 | 6:30 p.m.

In partnership with Dr. Telisa Franklin and Memphis Juneteenth, the Orpheum Theatre Group is excited to host a screening of the 2023 movie musical The Color Purple (2023) in celebration of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Community Day | National Civil Rights Museum
June 19 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

This year, the Museum will provide resources through community partners to provide immunization shots, health screenings, and awareness around sickle cell anemia. There will be food trucks, family and children's activities, voter registration information, a live DJ, live radio remotes, and recorded messages relevant to the importance of Juneteenth. Free admission is on a first-come basis.

Premo Rice: Juneteenth Celebration | Minglewood Hall
June 19 | 5 p.m.

Experience the groovy meets hip hop artist live in concert for a special Juneteenth celebration. 

Juneteenth Painting Workshop with Glynnis King | Arrow Creative
June 19 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of creativity and celebration commemorating Juneteenth through art. Come together with fellow art enthusiasts to learn new techniques and create your own masterpiece.

More Black History In Memphis

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel covers the struggle for civil rights and Black liberation across times, places, and peoples—but the museum's exhibits begin by exploring the slavery in America in the 1600s. If you haven't visited NCRM, or haven't visited in a few years, make sure you take time to visit soon. 

If you want to go deeper into Black history in Memphis, I highly recommend A Tour of Possibilities van tour. Even if you know a lot about Memphis history, you'll be surprised and moved by this special tour. Check out contributor Wesley Paraham's first-hand account of ATOP here (without giving too much away). 

ATTN: Slave Haven is temporarily closed due to a recent fire. Off the beaten path for most visitors, the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum is on the site of a stop on the Underground Railroad, a network that helped people and families escape enslavement in the Southern U.S. Visit the museum to learn more about how Memphis was a central location for commerce and trading of enslaved people from Africa—and the efforts of abolitionists and liberated people to end the practice of slavery.

Don't limit the celebration to just one day. See the guide to Black History year-round in Memphis.