Celebrate Juneteenth in Arizona with the help of family-friendly festivals, dining specials and events that showcase Black-owned businesses, local artists and more.
June 16: Juneteenth Evening Festival
Phoenix
Honor Black culture with the help of storytelling, art galleries, live performances and community-driven experiences. Juneteenth Evening Festival is the first event from partners The Archwood Exchange Buy Black Marketplace and Desert Botanical Garden. The family-friendly evening will take place in Phoenix on Friday, June 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., and the event is included with general admission to Desert Botanical Garden.
Cost: General admission starts at $16.95.
Tickets: ticketing.dbg.org/events.
June 17: Juneteenth Community Celebration
Scottsdale
Save the date for the City of Scottsdale’s Juneteenth Community Celebration on Saturday, June 17, at Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts. The event will be an exciting educational and entertainment experience with fun for all ages. From 2 to 7 p.m., guests can expect public art exhibitions, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, cultural exhibits, health and wellness resources, food trucks to indulge in and more. Live performances will include inspiring speeches, spoken word, African drummers and singers.
Cost: Free.
For more information: oldtownscottsdaleaz.com.
June 17: 2023 Juneteenth Celebration
Tempe
The community is invited to join the 10th annual Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the African-American Advisory Committee. This event will be an excellent opportunity to learn about and honor freedom from slavery in the United States. The family-friendly celebration will occur at the Tempe History Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a variety of fun activities including hands-on crafts, live performances, local shopping vendors, storytime, emergency responder vehicles, food to devour and more.
Cost: Free.
For more information: tempe.gov.
June 17: Juneteenth Celebration
Tempe
Join Downtown Tempe for a night of culture, history and fun as the city celebrates Juneteenth at CenterPoint Plaza. The fun will run from 7 to 10 p.m. and features live music, dancing, roller skating rinks, food trucks, beer and wine. Additionally, guests will have the chance to browse through a marketplace showcasing Black-owned businesses and artists and connect with various organizations dedicated to supporting the Black community.
Cost: Free.
For more information: downtowntempe.com.
June 17: Valley of the Sun Juneteenth Celebration
Phoenix
Head to Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 17, 5 to 10 p.m., for the Valley of the Sun Juneteenth Celebration. The 20th-annual event will feature free fun for all ages. Guests will enjoy live entertainment from local musicians and performers, free health screenings, educational workshops, children’s activities, arts and crafts, games and authentic soul food.
Cost: Free.
For more information: eventbrite.com.
June 18: SugarJam The Southern Kitchen
Scottsdale
One of the only Black woman-owned restaurants in North Scottsdale, SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, is serving new menu items to celebrate Juneteenth in Arizona. The new menu launch will take place on June 18, featuring dishes like the Yams & Jams Sundaze with sweet potato waffles and baked jerked whole chicken wings; fried catfish; and a whole fried chicken wing plate served over rice with collard greens and smoked turkey. These new plates will be available every Sunday in addition to SugarJam The Southern Kitchen’s other scratch-made goods.
For more information: sjsouthernkitchen.com.
June 18: Juneteenth Celebration
Tempe
A free Juneteenth celebration in Tempe will take place Sunday, June 18, at Arizona Heritage Center at noon. The event is designed to help guests recognize the impact of Black communities in Arizona with activities including a variety of performances, exhibits to browse, kid-friendly games and crafts and food to indulge in. Various community members will be available to connect and network with as well. The celebration is free, with an optional $10 add-on for donations to support future programming.
Cost: Free.
For more information: prod5.agileticketing.net.