AZ Juneteenth Events
Tucson Juneteenth Celebration 2022, photo credit Larry Starks
By Lauren Wong
Get out and celebrate this year’s Juneteenth with your community. All of these events are thrown in honor of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation when all enslaved people in the U.S. were declared free. Get involved, meet some new people in your community, honor African-American culture, and pay homage to this crucial moment in history.
When: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. June 11
Where: Murphy Park, Glendale
Cost: Free
photo credit Marcia Garland
Start your Juneteenth celebration early with this event thrown by the Black Business Owners Coalition of Glendale. The Coalition is four months old and this is the first of many events to come. Bring out some lawn chairs and blankets to downtown Glendale and get ready for a jam packed day! Enjoy performances and celebrity appearances on the Ampitheater’s stage, and relish in some delicious Jamaican, Middle Eastern, and Soul Food. You’ll also have an opportunity to buy some unique Afrocentric Art pieces to display in your home.
There’s plenty for everyone to enjoy; crafts for the children, an Awards Ceremony, Photo Shoots, Ethnic Vendors, and Stage Performances. At the event there will be the opportunity to donate blood via the Mobile Blood Unit. Donating allows you to enter a drawing to win a new 2022 car, (stay tuned for details on what the winning car owner will get). Local media will be there covering the event live.
When: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. June 18
Where: Kennedy Park, Tucson
Cost: Free
Being their first in-person festival since Covid, the Tucson Juneteenth Festival is expecting a big turnout this year with anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 attendees! The day will be filled with music, live entertainment, food, and of course, fun. If you’re interested in being a vendor, fill out their application online. They’re looking for both food and retail vendors.
Additionally, from 3 – 6 p.m. on June 19 they’ll be hosting a free Juneteenth Gospel Jubilee and Father’s Day luncheon at the Dunbar Pavilion.
photo credit Larry Starks
When: 5 - 10 p.m. June 18
Where: Eastlake Park, Phoenix
Cost: Free
Get ready for an eventful evening! Enjoy live entertainment as local musical performers mixed with community groups and schools take the stage. Brought to you by the Arizona Informant Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, the event also features free health screenings, educational workshops, a youth essay contest, children activities, ethnic arts and crafts, vendors, and games. You’ll also find the “finest authentic soul food.”
When: 2 - 7 p.m. June 19
Where: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale
Cost: Free
photo credit Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Register online to attend Change the Lead’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The event is free, but the first 200 people to register will get a free meal ticket. In partnership with the City of Scottsdale, they represent the culture by bringing in food, music, live entertainment, history, and vendors. Over 1,200 attendees, local to the Scottsdale Community, come out each year in support of this national holiday.
When: 5 - 10 p.m. June 19
Where: Mark Coronado Park, Surprise
Cost: $65 - $75
Partnering with The LA Experience, the City of Surprise is hosting their second annual Juneteenth Winefest. Bring a pop-up tent, lawn chairs, tables, and/or umbrellas as you support the community in promoting “unity, diversity, inclusion, support, and celebration.” The event will host a variety of small business owners, including minority business owners, and food trucks to represent our country’s diverse cultures.
Winefest brings together local and nationwide wineries (any who want to take part in this amazing event). You’ll be able to sit back in your own little picnic space while you partake in activities and enjoy the featured entertainment.
photo credit, Aleatheia Photography
When: 8:00 - 11 a.m. June 25
Where: Garden of Tomorrow, 1823 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix, 85040
Cost: Free
photo credit Gary Streeter
Join the Mission Continues’ Phoenix Service Platoon as they celebrate Juneteenth with the Tiger Mountain Foundation and local residents at the Garden of Tomorrow. The platoon members, primarily military veterans but non-veterans as well, volunteer at a variety of locations with partners such as the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Dept, Humane Society and Broadway Heritage Neighborhood Assn across the South Mountain Village area.
Their event features gardening, socializing, and dialoguing. They say wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Bring along some water, work gloves, and some sunscreen!
