The Juneteenth holiday honors June 19, 1865, when more than 200,000 People of Color held as slaves in Texas past the Emancipation Proclamation regained their freedom.
Find Juneteenth events in Illinois and Iowa, along with maps to venues and other helpful information to make the most of events that celebrate emancipation.
June
Jun 7 (1 event)
10:00 am • Pre-Juneteenth Freedom Brunch and "Gaining Ground" Screening • Waterloo
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Jun 7
Enjoy brunch along with "Gaining Ground," a documentary about the fight for Black land, at this gathering hosted by One Cedar Valley.
Jun 12 (2 events)
10:00 am • Juneteenth Storytimes • Des Moines6:00 pm • Mr. and Miss Juneteenth Pageant • Springfield–
Jun 12
Juneteenth Inc. hosts this special day of "elegance and excellence" featuring youth showcasing their "values, talents, and diverse backgrounds."
Jun 13 (4 events)
4:30 pm • Miss Knox County Juneteenth Pageant • Galesburg–
Jun 13
This is the start of a new tradition for Knox County. Contestants will participate in speech, pop question and formal dress segments. With questions, email pam.davidson@gmail.com
5:00 pm • Freedom Celebration: History Retold • Dubuque–
Jun 13
Learn about the history of Black culture with an evening of community, performance and food.
5:00 pm • Quincy Juneteenth Community Gala • Quincy–
Jun 13
Celebrate Juneteenth with dinner, music by female Saxophonist Rhoda G, the Sheryl Youngblood Band, and Boots on the Ground line dances. Tickets are $60; get yours here.
8:00 pm • Clinton, Iowa, Juneteenth • Clinton–
Jun 13
Movies in the park! Check the link for movies as the date nears.
Jun 14 (7 events)
9:00 am • Juneteenth Celebration Hike • Des Moines–
Jun 14
Black Iowa Outdoors hosts this nature hike to kick off Juneteenth. Follow an easy 1.3-mile trail in Fort Des Moines Park.
11:00 am • AAMI's Juneteenth Festival • Cedar Rapids–
Jun 14
The African American Museum of Iowa hosts this bash featuring live music, vendors, adn kid fun including a bounce house, balloon twisting, face painting, and a coloring contest. Adults can also join in a sweet potatoe pie competition; sign up here.11:00 am • Quad City Juneteenth Festival • Davenport–
Jun 14
This family-friendly tradition features music, vendors, kids' games and more. It's presented by Friends of MLK.
12:00 pm • Clinton, Iowa, Juneteenth • Clinton–
Jun 14
It's all about fun today: 3-on-3 basketball, line-dancing, kickball and other family fun. FMI: 563-503-9859.
12:00 pm • Freedom Celebration: Picnic in the Park • Dubuque–
Jun 14
Enjoy kids' games, community resources and booths, prizes and raffles, food trucks and more.
1:00 pm • Skokie's Annual Juneteenth • Skokie–
Jun 14
Skokie United presents this annual free, family-friendly festival filled withvendors, kids' games community resources, local eats and live music by Corey Bless and Tony Toneji Garrett.
2:00 pm • Juneteenth Celebration • DuQuoin–
Jun 14
This annual tradition includes food trucks, prizes, speakers, games and music.
Jun 15 (1 event)
11:00 am • Freedom Celebration: Prayer and Praise • Dubuque–
Jun 15
Gather with several Dubuque area congregations to "celebrate in song and word."
To submit your Juneteenth event to this calendar, head to Submit Events. Or email reachus@main-stream.org
