Texas was the first state to officially recognize, the now federal holiday, Juneteenth. As a result, traditional celebrations often reflect a Texas influence. While the people of Texas tend to celebrate with barbecues and rodeos, here in Minnesota, Juneteenth celebrations are heavy on food trucks and music festivals with a focus on African American history, culture and civil rights. Family-friendly festivals abound in Minnesota this year. We’ve gathered up some of our favorites below.
Note: Now that Juneteenth is an officially recognized federal and state holiday, many places may be closed on Thursday, June 19th. We recommend calling ahead to avoid disappointment on all special holidays.
A Short History of Juneteenth:
In 2021, President Biden declared June 19th a National Holiday, making Juneteenth an official holiday. Also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, the holiday has been a grassroots celebration for over 150 years, since June 19, 1865 when General Gordon Granger read the General Order Number 3 and enslaved people were declared free in Galveston, Texas. This event happened two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the end of slavery in the United States on January 1, 1863.
General Order Number 3:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”
Minneapolis Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom Day (FREE)
Date: 06/13/2026 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Bethune Park, 1304 N 10th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55411Bethune Park in Minneapolis observes Juneteenth with family-friendly activities, food vendors, music and entertainment. Admission is free.
Loring Pre-Juneteenth Celebration (FREE)
Date: 06/18/2026 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Loring Park, 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55403Activities include spoken word poetry performances and collaborative mural art.
Saint Paul Juneteenth Celebrations
Northeast Metro Juneteenth Celebrations
Northwest Metro Juneteenth Celebrations
Southeast Metro Juneteenth Celebrations
Southwest Metro Juneteenth Celebrations
Celebrate Juneteenth at Home:
At home family fun: Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. While slavery was never legal in the State of Minnesota, it was a reality in the territory until the landmark Dred Scott decision. Learn more at the MNHS website.
Craft: Make or color a Juneteenth Flag. Homeschool Superfreak offers a free printable flag.
Read aloud: Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford. There are several books about the Dred Scott case for grade school and up kids. I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Slave Narrative Based on the Life and Legal Precedent of Dred Scott can even be added to Kindle. For younger kids, Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. Other topics to read about could include:
- President Abraham Lincoln
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or the
- Civil War between the Confederate States and the Union Army.
Meal Idea: Traditionally families barbecue in the backyard and serve strawberry pop on Juneteenth.
Dinner Conversation Starter: Do you see injustice around you now? What can we do as a family to make a change?
Learn More: at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. Thank you to Washington County Library for this suggestion.
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It’s not on the actual day, but Mounds View is holding a Juneteenth celebration on June 22nd at the Mounds View Community Center from 1-3 pm. There will be ice cream, music and bounce houses and at 1:30 pm the Mayor will present a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth as an important day of celebration and reflection.
Thank you, Hope. I’ve added this event to the list.