Juneteenth Celebration and events in Columbus

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

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.

2025 Juneteenth

Juneteenth Celebration at Huber Park in Reynoldsburg

Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 4 pm – 8 pm.

The celebration will include spoken word performances, drumming and dancing, music, children’s activities, and food trucks. See details.

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Gahanna Juneteenth Celebration at Creekside Festival

Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Gahanna will debut its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration as part of the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival at the Blues Stage near Gahanna Sanctuary. The event will feature live music, dance, and spoken word, with performances by local talent including Harmony, Thiossane Institute, and poet Cynthia Amoah. The first 200 guests receive free admission to the festival.

Attendees can also explore the Gahanna Black-Owned Business Passport, offering deals at local shops and a gift for completed passports.

Details: creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Celebrate-Juneteenth

2025 Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival bring top musicians

New Albany Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Hinson Amphitheater

Enjoy dance/drumming, spoken word, music, kids’ activities, food trucks, vendors, and more! This celebration is an initiative of the New Albany IDEA Implementation Panel.

Details about performances, vendors, and more.

King Arts Complex Juneteenth Commemoration

Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 10am – 3pm. Enjoy activities to commemorate a special date in history for African Americans with Community Yard Sale, Food, Live Music, Local Vendors, and a Juneteenth Poetry Slam.

Details at: King Arts Complex 

835 Mount Vernon Avenue Columbus, OH 43203

Juneteenth – Jubilee Day Festival at Ohio History Connection

Thursday, June 19, 2025 from noon – 4 pm

This vibrant celebration brings together a rich tapestry of culture, history and community spirit. Guests will enjoy a variety of educational and uplifting performances, including thought-provoking reenactments that bring history to life. There will also be food demonstrations, live music, dance and film screenings. 

This event is free, with pre-registration encouraged.  See more details about Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival. 

Juneteenth 2022 at Ohio Village

Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival

The annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival is back at Genoa Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22, 2025

Admission is free until 3 pm. After 3 pm, $20 adult, $5 children (or $15/$3 in advance). See schedule and concerts on the website. Tickets and details here.

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

Juneteenth On the Ave

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from noon – 6 pm
Celebrate Juneteenth with us on the Ave – food, music, and community vibes all day long! Details here. 

MPACC BoxPark, 925 Mt Vernon Ave Columbus, OH 43203

Juneteenth BASH Book Festival at the Columbus Metropolitan Library

June 22, 2025: Celebrate Black authors and their contributions to literature at the Columbus Metropolitan Library: Martin Luther King Branch.

This free event will shine a spotlight on Black heritage and the diversity of Black literature through readings, book signings, and discussions with talented writers. Details and registration.

Cincinnati’s 38th Juneteenth Festival

June 14-15, 2025: The Festival will be in Eden Park on Saturday, June 15, with Father’s Day concert June Fest on Sunday. As always there will lots of activity in the Kids’ area.

Exhibit of unique art & poetry commissioned by Juneteenth Cincinnati and Kennedy heights Art Center for the “Voices of Freedom” project. Join or watch the First Annual Juneteenth Chess Tournament.

See full schedule and musical performances on the website.

The Father’s Day concert on Sunday features a variety of inspirational spiritual music and praise dancing in Seasongood Pavilion.

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