2022 Juneteenth Celebrations and events in Columbus

Celebrate the end of the enslavement of African-American people in the United States with Juneteenth on June 19.

Juneteenth, or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed in Galveston, Texas after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1st, 1863.

Juneteenth is now a paid holiday for Franklin County employees, replacing Columbus Day, so there’s even more reason to celebrate! Read below for Juneteenth events focused on celebration and activism.

Juneteenth 2022

Juneteenth Black Wall Street Pop-Up at Polaris Fashion Place

Sat, June 11, 2022 from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Peruse our marketplace filled with wonderful items such as books, jewelry, African clothing, herbal remedies, handbags, skin care products, art work, household goods and more! Details here.

25th Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival

The annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival is back at Genoa Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, 2022.

Freedom Saturday, June 18, 2022
Noon to 11:00pm
City Wide Drum Call For Peace!
College, Career Fair & Employment Recruitment
Wellness Pavilion
Cultural Paradise Marketplace
Soul Food Pavilion
Children’s Underground Rail Road Journey (storytelling & Puppet Show)
Juneteenth Ohio Talent Show
R&B Concert (TBA)
Classic Car Show

Father’s Day Sunday, June 19, 2022
noon to 11:00pm
Father’s Day Tribute
College, Career Fair & Employment Recruitment
Wellness pavilion
Children’s (Under Ground Rail Road Journey & Puppet Show)
Paradise Marketplace
Soul Food Pavilion
Gospel Concert Series
Classic Car Show
Old School Concert (TBA)

Admission is free until 3pm, and $5-$10 after. VIP passes are $25. Proceeds Benefit Factual Literacy Initiatives

Genoa Park, 303 W Broad St, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Maroon Arts Group: Juneteenth on the AVE

June 18, 2022 at 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mt. Vernon Avenue, between 17th and St. Clair Avenue

The event will feature entertainment, vendors and “Taste of Juneteenth,” a Black owned food truck festival!

Juneteenth on the AVE is a collaborative commemoration hosted by the Columbus Urban League; Maroon Arts Group; Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC); Ohio History Connection / Poindexter Village Museum; King Arts Complex; and Black, Out and Proud (BOP).

The event showcases performing and visual artists while promoting support to black owned businesses. The district-wide commemoration features archival community photographs, art exhibits, food trucks, games, health screenings, higher education information sessions as well as dance, music, spoken word and theatre performances.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. See full details and announcements on the Maroon Arts Group Facebook page.

Juneteenth/Summer Celebration at The Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 1 pm -7:30 pm

An entire day of nature, art, community, family, music & more!

1:00 -1:30 p.m. Wild Indigo Nature Explorations is a new program committed to delivering culturally relevant programs and stewardship activities that engage members and local communities of color with the Grange Insurance Audubon Center and other local nature areas. Learn about the brief history of the program and our vision for the program moving forward.

1:30 p.m – 3 p.m. Natural Connections, Art Exhibition Opening Reception
Featuring the work of Zachary Dean Jones, Mah Leah Cochran and Creative Women of Color artists. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the artists and join artist Zachary Jones outside to create Earth Works from natural found objects.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Enjoy Center Activities Inside & Outside
Spend the day with family, friends and DAD! Grab a pair of binoculars and take a hike, play the migration game, check out an adventure backpack, choose a craft to make and take home, shop the art exhibition, meet our artist-in-residence or just hang out!

5:30 p.m. – 7:30p.m. Free Concert on the Lawn by the Deal Breakers!

Pre-registration is required to reserve your spot on the lawn. Food trucks on site or bring your own picnic. Details and Registration.

Kelton House Juneteenth Celebration

June 19, 2022 from 12-4 PM. The afternoon will include events celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans on June 19, 1865.

Families can create their own family flag and relax in the gardens. Admission to the Kelton House will be free but donations are always welcome. Details here.

Schedule for Juneteenth Celebration at the Kelton House
12pm: Museum opens for free tours and family activity
12:30: Refreshments provided by 5 Star Planning
1:pm: Presentation by Sarah Richardt, “Who is Rosetta Armistead: The Underground Railroad and Town St.”
1:30: Columbus State Vocal Ensemble Performance
2:pm: Featured Speaker: Julialynne Walker

Juneteenth Celebration at Huber Park in Reynoldsburg

Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10 am – 3 pm. See details.

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

A Family Affair Juneteenth Event

Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 12 pm – 3 pm

A day filled with vendors, bouncy houses, food, games and prizes.

Juneteenth Community Festival by Phenix Banquet Center

Sat, June 18, 2022 from 4:00 – 9:00 pm

The Juneteenth Community Festival (JCF) will be a day of family fun in a space for all persons in our communities. This is an event that aims to give the neighborhoods a space to connect, celebrate and learn. Event will be outdoors on the Outdoor Venue at Phenix Venue Complex.

Event will hold rain or shine. Music. Live Performances. Food Trucks, beer and wine. Community. Fun for the entire family. Free Parking. Supporting small businesses and vendors. Admission is $5; free for kids 5 and under. Tickets and details.

Phenix Banquet Center, 2101 Noe Bixby Road, Columbus, OH 43232

Micah Monday Rally: A JUNETEENTH Celebration

June 20, 2022. Special Micah Monday at Bethel International UMC. We will have our usual rally along Bethel Road from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and we will celebrate Juneteenth by eating together and taking time to talk together about ways to work toward eliminating racism in our community. Details here.

1220 Bethel Road Columbus, OH 43220

Cincinnati’s 35th Juneteenth Festival

June 18-19 2022: The Festival will be in Eden Park on Saturday, June 18, with Father’s Day concert on Sunday. As always there will lots of activity in the Kids’ area, including free pony & horse rides with Heavenward Farm. Exhibit of unique art & poetry commissioned by Juneteenth Cincinnati and Kennedy heights Art Center for the “Voices of Freedom” project, and a “Scavenger Hunt” at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Headliner for Saturday is The Hues Corporation–best known for “Rock the Boat.” Featured performances thru the afternoon will include The Elevation Band, Jazz Renaissance, Ms. Jazz, Cincy Brazil Samba, Unique Soul, Rhythm of Soul, Praise E. Keng, and more.

The Father’s Day concert on Sunday will feature the GRammy Award winning Charles Fold Singers, RaMeko Lattimore, James McRae Singers, Archie Byers & Remnant, and more.