Where to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities
From cultural exhibits and health fairs to crafts and carnivals, the celebration is all about creating community.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
June 11, 2024 at 1:30PM
There are more than a dozen Juneteenth events throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs, but they all have the same theme: community. Bringing an air of togetherness to celebrate the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery, events will offer historic displays, storytelling, Black-owned business vendors, food and live entertainment.
June 15
Frogtown Farms: A garden party Juneteenth celebration with a wood-fire cooking workshop, storytelling and dance party. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 946 W. Minnehaha Av., St. Paul. eventbrite.com.
North Minneapolis: A family festival with kids’ station, Black business marketplace, community health fair, poetry, giveaways and food trucks. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. sanctuarycov.churchcenter.com.
UROC: A block party with the theme “We Are the Noise: The Echoes of Our Ancestors.” 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 2001 Plymouth Av. N., Mpls. uroc.umn.edu.
Brooklyn Center: Entertainment including Maya Marchelle, Dominion Dance Company, the Maxx Band and more. Also, food vendors, art activities and balloon art. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Centennial Park, 6301 Shingle Creek Drive. brooklyncentermn.gov.
Bethune Park: Panel discussion, food trucks, bingo, trackless train ride and bounce houses. Noon- 6 p.m. Free. 1304 10th Av. N., Mpls. minneapolisparks.org.
Brooklyn Park: Bring a lawn chair to watch entertainment featuring Step With Soul, Carnage the Executioner and more. Also, Black art, cultural exhibits, health screenings. 1-7 p.m. Free. North Hennepin Community College, 7411 85th Av. N. brooklynpark.org.
Burnsville: Get physical with line dancing, live music, crafts and tasty grub from Rollin Nolen’s BBQ food truck. 1-3:30 p.m. Free. North River Hills Park, 11501 19th Av. burnsvillemn.gov.
June 16
W. Broadway: Live music, slave history exhibition, food and kids’ mini-carnival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. W. Broadway from Lyndale to Emerson Avs. N., Mpls. juneteenthminnesota.com.
St. Louis Park: The end of Parktacular celebrates Juneteenth with Black-owned business vendors, food trucks and entertainment. 1-4 p.m. Free. The Roc, 3700 Monterey Drive. parktacular.org.
June 19
Edina: Isaiah Allen will read from his children’s book, “A Smile.” Also, music, art activities, book giveaways and a presentation. 6-8 p.m. Free. Maetzold Amphitheater, 7499 France Av. S. edinamn.gov.
Historic Fort Snelling: Tours focusing on African American history at the fort. Tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. $12-$15. 200 Tower Av., St. Paul. mnhs.org.
Hook & Ladder: Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival with drum circles, food trucks, interactive installations, live podcasts, storytelling, history zone and more. Noon-8 p.m. Free. 3010 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls. thehookmpls.com.
Ordway: Blackout Improv, a Minnesota-based, all-Black troupe, performs a Juneteenth program. 7 p.m. $5-$50. 345 Washington St., St. Paul. ordway.org.
June 20-22
St. Paul: The Minnesota Humanities Center’s Juneteenth Breakfast will feature Bakari Sellers, CNN political analyst and author of “The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now.” 8 a.m. $100. St. Paul Event Center, 400 N. Wabasha St. mnhum.org.
Northrop auditorium: The Minnesota Humanities Center and Northrop present Rose McGee’s two-act play “Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story.” 11 a.m. Free, advance registration required. 84 SE. Church St., Mpls. northrop.umn.edu.
Woodbury: Woodbury for Justice and Equality hosts a day of reflection with speakers, performances, free food and kids’ activities. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Ojibway Park, 2695 Ojibway Drive. woodbury4je.com.
State Capitol: A family celebration with kids’ pavilion, health, wellness and wealth-building resources and performances. Noon-4 p.m. Free. 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul. facebook.com.
Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.