Juneteenth celebrations taking place Friday, including the Soul of the Southside festival in south Minneapolis.
This celebration almost started as an accident for Emmanuel and Fancy Duncan.
"When we first opened our space, the Legacy Building, we did it on the weekend of June 2020," says Emmanuel. "So it was kind of like our grand opening celebration, but after the first one, community started to ask, 'hey, are you guys doing this again?' So we just kind of like grew into the stewards of Juneteenth for South Minneapolis."
It's a day to celebrate, to reflect, to honor, and to educate.
"Being able to now hold this kind of special tradition, it's kind of mind blowing because Juneteenth," says Emmanuel. "You know, a lot of us don't know the history on what the day actually means."
Juneteenth (a blend of "June" and "nineteenth") is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
"I actually spoke with someone who wasn't from the country, and they asked, what is Juneteenth? What is it about? And I had to kind of give him the history of the day that the former slaves were free, and he really was like, wow, I didn't fully grasp what that meant," Emmanuel explains.
Soul of the Southside is a free, annual Juneteenth celebration that brings together artists, families, neighbors, and small businesses to celebrate Black creativity, culture, and community.
It runs from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in South Minneapolis along Minnehaha Ave. and Lake Street. See the full event lineup here.
Minneapolis Celebrations:
Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival: A massive, free immersive street festival featuring a Black-owned vending market, live music, food trucks, DJ performances, and art.
When/Where: Noon to 8:00 p.m. at the corner of East Lake St. and Minnehaha Ave.
Movement Werk with Junauda Petrus: Minneapolis Poet Laureate Junauda Petrus leads a celebration of poetry, visioning, and community care at the Capri Theater.
When/Where: June 20, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Capri Theater.
St. Paul & East Metro Celebrations:
Juneteenth Minnesota — A Family Celebration: Hosted by the Anika Foundation, this outdoor gathering at the State Capitol features live performances, a kids' pavilion, health and wellness resources, and food vendors.
When/Where: Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Juneteenth Tours at Historic Fort Snelling: The Minnesota Historical Society offers guided tours exploring Black history, liberation, and the Black individuals who shaped the fort's past (such as Dred and Harriet Scott).
When/Where: Included with site admission; tours run throughout the day.
Rondo Center of Diverse Expressions (RCODE) Observance: Commemorates the historic Rondo neighborhood with food vendors, speakers, and live music.
When/Where: Rondo Center of Diverse Expression, 315 N. Fisk St.
Surrounding Suburbs & Regional Events:
Brooklyn Park & Brooklyn Center Celebration: A multi-day affair featuring a community golf tournament at Centerbrook Golf Course, followed by a large celebration at North Hennepin Community College with live performances and cultural programming.
Maple Grove Celebration: Town Green Park hosts an afternoon of Black-owned vendors, food trucks, kids' activities, and live on-stage entertainment.
