June 19th is a day for celebration. Although it only become a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black communities in Seattle for years. It’s a day for the community to get together and enjoy good food, music, and Black culture. Many of these events are free or low-cost, so make sure to get out there this weekend—and, of course, support Seattle’s Black-owned businesses, makers, and restaurants year-round.
Here are some of the Juneteenth events in Seattle that you can attend this year:
1. The 23rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Rainier Beach Community Center
You’ll be able to support local Black-owned businesses at this Juneteenth celebration in Rainier Beach. Admission is free, and there will be entertainment, food, raffles, and family fun. Get more info here.
📅When: Saturday, June 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
📍Where: Rainier Beach Community Center
💲Cost: Free
2. NAAM Annual Skate Party: Juneteenth Celebration
Swing by Judkins Park for an inclusive day of roller skating, live music, and more at the Northwest African American Museum. Don’t own skates? No problem: there will be free skate rentals so all can join in the fun.
📅When: Saturday, June 15 from 12PM -5PM
📍Where: Judkins Park
💲Cost: Free
3. Listen to the Elevate event at The Paramount Theatre
ELEVATE is a special event put on by the Seattle Theatre Group, and it’s “a showcase of Black and Brown youth voices uplifting one another through the art of spoken word.” Get tickets and details on the Seattle Theatre Group website here.
📅When: Thursday, June 13, 2024. Doors at 6:30 PM. Show at 7:30 PM.
📍Where: The Paramount Theatre
💲Cost: Free
4. REVIVAL Juneteenth Market Pop-Up
Support local businesses at this pop-up market that is celebrating Juneteenth with food vendors, makers, and music. It is produced by Capitol Hill EcoDistrict: a “community driven effort that promotes a socially equitable, environmentally resilient and culturally vibrant neighborhood.”
📅When: Sunday, June 16 from noon to 5:00 p.m.
📍Where: Midtown Square Plaza in Capitol Hill
💲Cost: Free
5. Summer of Soul Series 2024: Juneteenth Freedom Fest
Africatown Community Land Trust is continuing their Summer of Soul series with a Juneteenth event in Jimi Hendrix Park. There will be live music and entertainment, shopping, and family fun.
📅When: Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 from 6-8PM
📍Where: Jimi Hendrix Park
💲Cost: Free
6. 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration 2024
The non-profit organization, It Takes A Village, is putting on their 8th annual Juneteenth Celebration at Othello Park in South Seattle. They’ll have soul food, arts and crafts, entertainment, a vendor marketplace, and a food bank.
📅When: Saturday, June 22nd from 1:30 -6:30 pm
📍Where:Othello Park
💲Cost: Free
7. Free entry at Washington State Parks
In honor of Juneteenth, Washington State Parks will waive the entrance fee on Wednesday, June 19. Not sure which state park to visit? See our guide to the best Washington state parks. Plus, get all the details here about all the free entry days at the parks.
📅When: Wednesday, June 19th, 2024
📍Where:All WA state parks
💲Cost: Free
Edited by Sarah Nash.