Photo:
courtesy Northwest African American Museum
The holiday Juneteenth commemorates and celebrates the day enslaved people in Texas finally received the news that they’d been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. They heard this news on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the proclamation outlawing slavery was issued.
Juneteenth events in the Seattle area invite families to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, a day meant to signify freedom from slavery and to lift up the African American community and its cultural traditions. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted; some require advance registration.
Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt, Tacoma
Date: Through June 21
Take part in an ongoing Juneteenth scavenger hunt at Tacoma Public Library’s Fern Hill, Kobetich, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey and Main branches to learn about the newest federal holiday and earn a prize!
Threads of Freedom – Celebrating Black Culture, Fashion and Juneteenth, Tacoma
Date and time: Thursday, June 12, 4–7:30 p.m.
Join Tacoma Art Museum in honoring Black culture, creativity and community at a Juneteenth celebration featuring live performances, local vendors, delicious food, an artist showcase and Miss Juneteenth pageant.
Black Market at Pier 62, Seattle
Date and time: Friday, June 13 and 20; 3:30–9:30 p.m.
Support Black businesses while you enjoy a diverse lineup of BIPOC performers and food trucks during two market nights on Pier 62.
Snohomish County Community Juneteenth Celebration, Lynnwood
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
The NAACP of Snohomish County invites the community to join a free Juneteenth celebration with food, dancing and fun at Martha Lake County Park.
Juneteenth Community Celebration, Bellevue
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
The community is invited to grab lunch from a food truck while celebrating and supporting Black voices and businesses at Crossroads Park in Bellevue. There will also be story time, interactive displays and musical entertainment going on all day onstage.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom, Federal Way
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
An all-day Juneteenth celebration is planned at the Federal Way Library with activities for all ages, including a resource fair, basketball skills workshop and community art project.
Monroe’s Juneteenth Celebration 2025
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, noon–4 p.m.
Monroe hosts a super family-friendly Juneteenth celebration at the Galaxy Theatres with a special screening of “Miss Juneteenth,” music and line dancing, food trucks, games, story times, crafts and more!
Eastside Honoring Juneteenth, Kirkland
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, noon–4 p.m.
This Eastside celebration in Kirkland features inspirational speakers, performances, a special tribute to local Black graduates, food and more at Juanita High School.
Juneteenth in Lakewood
Date and time: Saturday, June 14, 3–5 p.m.
This year, the Lakewood Playhouse is where the community can come together and celebrate Juneteenth with speakers, vendors, performances and refreshments.
Juneteenth Celebration in Mountlake Terrace
Date and time: Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Join the community in honoring the African American emancipation at a Juneteenth celebration held at the Mountlake Terrace Library. There will be speakers, free food, entertainment, games for kids and a little something to celebrate Dad on his day as well.
Yesler Juneteenth Celebration, Seattle
Date and time: Tuesday, June 17, 4–7 p.m.
Break bread with friends and neighbors at the Yesler Community Center, where a free dinner will be served to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday.
Kenmore Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, June 18, 3–7 p.m.
Kenmore celebrates Juneteenth during its weekly Farmers Market at Town Square with art, music, crafts and more.
Atlantic Street Center’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Seattle
Date and time: Wednesday, June 18, 5–8 p.m.
Support Black-owned small businesses and honor freedom and culture this Juneteenth. Atlantic Street Center’s celebration held at Rainier Beach Community Center will feature vendors and community resources, as well as entertainment, family activities and food. Reserve tickets in advance.
Washington State Parks Free Day
Date: Thursday, June 19
Enjoy a fee-free day in one of Washington’s amazing state parks, perhaps considering how freedom is fundamental to our human existence.
Celebrate Juneteenth at NAAM, Seattle
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Join Seattle’s Northwest African American Museum for a Juneteenth celebration featuring a family skate party at Judkins Park, a Black artists market, all-ages STEM games, a book giveaway, free museum admission and lots of family fun.
Tukwila Juneteenth Commemoration
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
The City of Tukwila holds its fifth annual commemoration of Juneteenth with musical and spoken word performances, line dancing and free food and other giveaways at the Sullivan Center at Tukwila Village.
Juneteenth at the Beach, Edmonds
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Show up for story time, music, free food, performances, a screening of “Hidden Figures” and more at Edmonds’ annual Festival of Freedom celebration held at the Edmonds Waterfront Center.
Juneteenth Celebration at Stewart Heights Park, Tacoma
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bring the fam to Stewart Heights Park in Tacoma to enjoy musical performances, speakers and fun kids activities, while supporting the goal of economic growth within the BIPOC community. It’s the largest Juneteenth celebration in Washington state!
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration, Mercer Island
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, noon–3 p.m.
Join Mercer Island High School’s Black Student Union at its Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration held at Mercerdale Park. There will be live music, food trucks and activities for the kids.
Summer of Soul: Juneteenth, Seattle
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, noon–8 p.m.
Gather at Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle for a day of music, food, family activities and education honoring the resilience of the Black community.
Shoreline’s Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 4–8 p.m.
Support local Black businesses and enjoy live performances, music and delicious food at Shoreline City Hall Plaza, where all are invited to join the City’s third Juneteenth celebration for the community.
Bainbridge Island Juneteenth Community Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 4–8 p.m.
Happening at Bainbridge Performing Arts and Town Square, join the community Juneteenth celebration with food, music, performers and speakers.
Maple Valley Juneteenth Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 4–8 p.m.
The Real Lady A will perform at Maple Valley’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration, so head to Lake Wilderness Park to be part of this first-time event that also features food, music, dancing and games.
Juneteenth Commemoration, Tacoma
Date and time: Thursday, June 19, 4–7 p.m.
Reflect on the significance of the Juneteenth holiday during an evening of performances by Black artists, musicians and dancers, including award-winning storyteller Eva Abram at the Washington State History Museum.
Juneteenth Celebration in Kent
Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Come hear jazz guitarist Michael Powers and enjoy cultural dance, poetry, children’s story time, crafts and free soul food at this annual Kent event held at Morrill Meadows Park aimed at building community among African Americans in South King County.
Juneteenth Kickoff Fan Fest 2025, Issaquah
Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 4–8 p.m.
It’s a Juneteenth kickoff event where history, heritage and soccer unite, resulting in a lively mash-up event with soccer skill challenges and Juneteenth storytelling, food and performances. Bring the crew to Issaquah’s Grand Ridge Plaza for all the fun.
Olympia Juneteenth Celebration Festival
Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 1–5 p.m.
Bring the family to downtown Olympia’s Rebecca Howard Park for a Juneteenth Celebration Festival. Support Black-owned businesses while you enjoy live music, performances and activities for the whole family.
It Takes a Village Juneteenth Community Fest, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 1–6 p.m.
It Takes a Village Juneteenth Festival celebrates the Black community, seeks to share resources and services, and aims to promote the health and power of those with the least access to it. Bring the whole fam to Othello Park and enjoy all-ages activities, food and live performances.
Songs of Black Folk: ‘Music of Resistance and Hope’
Date and time: Sunday, June 22, 7–8:30 p.m.
Now a Juneteenth tradition, take a cultural journey through music at a concert spanning genres from spirituals to gospel, jazz, R&B, and hip hop. Purchase tickets online for this show at McCaw Hall, but hurry, they are selling quickly. Starting at $45.
Juneteenth Celebration at Les Gove Park
Date and time: Sunday, June 22, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Support Black-owned businesses and enjoy live music and fun activities for the kids at Auburn’s Les Gove Park.
More resources for Puget Sound families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2021 and most recently updated on June 12, 2025, by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. New Juneteenth events were added, and past events were updated for 2025.
