City of Pensacola Announces Journey to Juneteenth Event Lineup

The City of Pensacola is excited to announce the event lineup for the 2023 Journey to Juneteenth Celebration, featuring a variety of events recognizing Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Journey to Juneteenth is a month-long celebration spanning from May 20, Florida’s Emancipation Day, through June 19, the federal Juneteenth holiday. The journey of events will include lawn parties, galas, educational opportunities, a Gallery Night celebration and more.

This year, the City of Pensacola was able to provide several Juneteenth event sponsorships, which were made possible through $20,000 in ARPA funding allocated by Mayor D.C. Reeves.

In addition to the city-sponsored events, many local businesses and organizations are hosting Juneteenth events to commemorate the holiday.

Please note: This list may not be all-inclusive, as events continue to be added. Stay tuned to visitpensacola.com/juneteenth for updates.

Journey to Juneteenth Event Schedule

May

May 20 - Gulf Coast Culture Fest*
May 23 – WFPL Downtown Library: Community Jazz Show
May 24 – WFPL Downtown Library: Family "Freedom" Storytime

June

June 3 - Toast to the Bay Wine & Spirit Festival
June 4 – Beats’n’Eats Festival*
June 6 – ‘My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams’ Art Show at Artel Gallery
June 9 – Sanford Greene: Marvel Comic Artist Talk*
June 10 – ‘Southern Belle’ Tea and Talk: Film Screening & Talk with Margo Stringfield
June 11 - Fort Pickens History Tour: "Journey to Juneteenth"
June 11 – When Queens Link Up: Focused on Freedom
June 15 - Drive to Freedom: Osceola Juneteenth Youth Golf Clinic (Summer Camp)
June 16 – WFPL Downtown Library: "Juneteenth" Adult Crafting
June 16 – Gallery Night ‘Celebrate Juneteenth’*
June 16 – When Queens Link Up: Gallery Night Block Takeover
June 16 - Gangstagrass at Vinyl Music Hall
June 16 – Pensacola Happy Hour: Soul Food Edition*
June 17 – 309 Punk Project: Visiting Artist Roscoe Hall
June 17 – Fiesta Pensacola Minority Heritage Committee Emancipation Garden Party
June 17 – Second Annual Family Reunion for the Culture*
June 17 – Third Annual Juneteenth Gala
June 18 – The Tune of Juneteenth Brunch*
June 19 - Breadbox Theatre Presents: “Good Sense: A Rabbit Tale” All-Ages Puppet Show
June 19 – Juneteenth Unity Fest
June 19 – R&B and Blues Juneteenth Lawn Party*
June 23 – Movement for Change ‘Freedom is not Free’ Banquet
June 23 – Movies in the Park Series: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

*City-sponsored event

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

Learn more about Juneteenth at juneteenth.com.

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.