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Black history is Philly history.
The longest-running holiday celebrating Black emancipation from slavery, Juneteenth (officially Friday, June 19, 2026) marks the moment that enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they had been freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, officially ending the American slave trade.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated — both in Philadelphia and nationwide — with historical reenactments, educational programming, parades, festivals and more.
In the City of Brotherly Love, the holiday officially kicks off the City of Philadelphia’s official Fourth of July celebration — a 16-day-long festival known as Wawa Welcome America — with a day-long block party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Major festivals in West Philadelphia, Germantown and Chester County — as well as attractions and venues like the National Constitution Center, the Please Touch Museum and more — offer robust programming to commemorate the anniversary and celebrate Black culture and community.
Read on for ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Greater Philadelphia in 2026.
Bartram’s Garden hosts an afternoon dedicated to culture, community and all-ages fun. Head to Southwest Philly to join in the revelry at the oldest botanical garden in America, with performances co-hosted by VinylTap 215, workshops, shopping, storytelling, lawn games and more.
Bonus: The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia offers free bicycle rentals for the afternoon at the waterfront park. Got your own ride? Bring your bicycle by the on-site bicycle container for simple repairs.
Good for: An afternoon immersed in nature Know before you go: The Jubilee is free and open to the public.
Where: Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Head to Chester County’s charming Phoenixville — named by Travel + Leisure as 2026’s Best Small Town to Live in the U.S. — for a special commemoration celebrating Black history, freedom and community.
The fun starts along the 200 block of Bridge Street on Sunday, June 14, 2026 with historical reenactments, music, art, dance, magic (!), storytelling and more. Check the official website for even more Juneteenth celebrations on June 19 and 20, 2026.
Good for: A day trip to the countryside Know before you go: The celebration is free, but you can reserve your spot here.
Where: 200 Bridge St, 200 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA
Celebrate Juneteenth with the little ones this year. Fairmount Park’s iconic children’s museum has a day of special programming planned, including Juneteenth-themed art workshops, storytimes, activities and performances.
Hear Aunti Oni tell stories celebrating Juneteenth, decorate red velvet cupcakes with Chef Ken, enjoy hands-on activities like stitching, dance along with Taylor Mitchell of youth theater organization Dream Big, Dream Black and end the day with a jubilant parade with the West Powelton Steppers and Band.
Good for: An action-packed, family-friendly day Know before you go: Regular admission to the museum includes all Juneteenth activities.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
The historic Eastern State Penitentiary marks Juneteenth with special performances, activities and educational panels for guests of all ages — all included with discounted regular admission.
The day features a special storytime reading of children’s books focusing on stories about Juneteenth and resistance with Thembi Palmer, choral performances by The Black Breath Collective, and a special panel discussion featuring scholars exploring the holiday’s history.
Know before you go: The event spans the day, but scheduled activities start at 11 a.m. Good for: Juneteenth stories, talks and music
Where: Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Freedom did not come easily for African Americans, and Old City’s National Constitution Center honors the fight with free admission and a full day of programming for guests of all ages.
Costumed interpreters bring history to life, embodying the stories of abolitionists — like Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and Bishop Richard Allen — during a special kids’ town hall. Plus, the museum’s education team offers special exhibit walk-throughs highlighting the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment and American freedom movements.
Good for: Learning the history of freedom in America Don’t miss: Make-and-take Juneteenth crafts
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Nonprofit organization Millennial Juneteenth is back with its seventh annual Juneteenth Festival. The festival celebrates the mission of Millennial Juneteenth, a civic and volunteer organization geared towards millennials.
Taking place at the Kingsessing Rec Center this year and themed “Black Outside” again this year, the all-ages bash features shopping with Black-owned businesses, live music, dancing, poetry performances and more.
Good for: A day celebrating community Know before you go: The festival is free and open to the public.
Where: Kingsessing Recreation Center, 4901 Kingsessing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
In partnership with Wawa Welcome America and Visit Philadelphia (hey, that’s us!), the Juneteenth Jubilee kicks off this year’s epic, city-wide 16-day celebration of freedom, marking two milestones — the nation’s 250th anniversary and the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s 50th birthday.
Headlining performers include DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh and more. Shop at the onsite vendor village highlighting Black-owned businesses and food trucks, and enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family.
Know before you go: Bonus! Enjoy free access to the museum all day. Don’t miss: Live jazz in the new-for-2026 Jazz Tunnel and the dedicated Kids Zone.
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Families, vendors and more head to Rose Tree Park in Media for Delco’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
This all-ages event is free to attend, with pay-as-you-go food and drink. Previous Juneteenth events have included a celebratory program for the whole family, a student art showcase, performances, a historical reading and more.
Good for: An afternoon of family-friendly fun Know before you go: The best place to park is the rear lot.
Where: Rose Tree Park, 1671 N. Providence Road, Media, PA
Friday, June 19, 2026 (times vary by event)
Wrap up your Juneteenth revelry by heading to the Historic District to listen to a conversation with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, with Independence Hall in the backdrop.
Part of Wawa Welcome America, the event is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Stick around after the talk for an outdoor screening of the film Harriet, part of the Philadelphia Visitor Center’s Movies on the Mall series.
Good for: An evening of reflection Know before you go: Popcorn is free for the movie, but BYO blanket or chair.
Where: Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA
Known as the mother church of the nation’s first Black denomination, Mother Bethel Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church sits on the oldest parcel of land in Philadelphia continuously owned by African Americans. Bishop Richard Allen founded the church in 1794.
Today, Mother Bethel remains open as an archives, a museum and an active church in Society Hill, and it honors the holiday with a Juneteenth Celebration at its historic location, with details still emerging.
Don’t miss: The onsite Richard Allen Museum Know before you go: Check the official site for updates.
Where: Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Pride AND Juneteenth? The auspicious occasion calls for a fabulous evening of epic proportions at the collaboration between Naughty Jawn and Sub Zero.
Head to Star|Bolt this year for an adults-only variety showcase starring Gigi The BAP, Kayo Kenshin, Valencii, Maxine La’Kween and Godis Niya Love that crosses multiple genres — burlesque, drag, comedy and music — and communities. Tickets are required, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Good for: A rainbow-infused Juneteenth party Vibe: Come as you are
Where: Star|Bolt, 1936 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Museum of the American Revolution honors America’s complicated legacy of equality with hands-on activities, special gallery guides and more. Kids of all ages can explore recreated historical environments with interactive activities.
Don’t miss screenings of the first-person theatrical performance telling the story of Elizabeth Freeman, the enslaved colonial woman who sued for — and won — her freedom. Plus, the Black Voices of the Revolution Highlights Tour offers a closer look at artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection connected to Black men and women in history (at an additional cost).
Good for: Revolutionary history Know before you go: Sign up for the Black Voices tour when purchasing tickets.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chester County’s Voices Underground curates a stellar schedule of Juneteenth events.
This year’s lineup kicks off with the Philadelphia Dance Company’s performance at the beautifully bucolic Longwood Gardens (Friday, June 19, 2026).
The weekend-long schedule also promises a family-friendly event at Kennett Library (Saturday, June 20, 2026) and outdoor family fun at Oxford Memorial Park (Sunday, June 21, 2026), including yard games, face painting, balloon twisting, food, music and more
Good for: Celebrating freedom with friends and family Don’t miss: A special Juneteenth-themed illuminated fountain show at Longwood Gardens
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (2)
Kennett Library, 320 E. State Street, Kennett Square, PA
Oxford Memorial Park, S. 3rd Street, Oxford, PA
Historic Germantown celebrates Freedom Day during its annual Juneteenth Festival. Once an important stop on the Underground Railroad, the Johnson House Historic Site celebrates 20 years of hosting the annual free event marking the anniversary of Black emancipation from enslavement.
Expect tons of vendors to shop, food trucks, live music from DJs and local musicians, historic re-enactments, children’s activities, and an afternoon of family-friendly festivities and fun to go around.
Good for: Community camaraderie Don’t miss: Relaxing in the shade of the Johnson House’s garden space
Where: 6300 Block of Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Raise a (non-alcoholic) glass to toast health and wellness at the free, family-friendly Juneteenth Wellness and Arts Festival, going zero proof for 2026 at the Delaware River Waterfront’s Cherry Street Pier, and curated by musical artist Shekhinah B.
The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc. co-hosts the event with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, with the fourth annual festival honoring self-care and holistic health. Expect health screenings and workout sessions in addition to the full day of music and art.
Don’t miss: Snagging a commemorative mocktail glass (for an extra fee) Know before you go: I-95 cap construction is ongoing. Check the site’s travel guidelines to help you get there.
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Held the Sunday after Juneteenth, the tenth annual Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival commemorates the anniversary with the nation’s largest Juneteenth event.
First, a joyous parade (typically drawing about 25,000 onlookers) proceeds through West Fairmount Park, kicking off across from Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts and featuring thousands of participants and dozens of floats.
The celebration continues at Malcolm X Park with the Juneteenth Marketplace, the Juneteenth Youth Pavilion and the family-friendly Juneteenth Music Festival.
Good for: Being part of an epic Juneteenth festival Vibe: The parade and festival are free, with pay-as-you-go food and drink.
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Wrap your Juneteenth weekend at Spruce Street Harbor Park’s oasis on the waterfront as the 6th Annual Interna$hional Bounce Juneteenth Festival takes over the park for a celebration of Black culture and music.
Listen to live music and DJ-spun tunes while checking out the vendors, making some art or just kicking back and enjoying the communal vibe.
Good for: Waterfront views and family-friendly fun Know before you go: The festival is free to attend, but RSVP for info and VIP options.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Award-winning North Broad restaurant Honeysuckle celebrates Juneteenth with an afternoon community cookout at Plowshare Farm in Bucks County.
On the menu: whole hog barbecue, plus sides, desserts and drinks. Expect a slew of family-friendly activities, like communal planting and farm tours, scavenger hunts for the littles, and dominoes and spades for the adults.
Tickets are required, with an option to take a bus from Honeysuckle to the farm.
Know before you go: Children 10 and under can attend for free. Vibe: Farm-to-table
Where: Plowshare Farms, 111 Stover Park Road, Philadelphia, PA
Dates vary by tour
The experience doesn’t stop there. Explore Black history and culture on a variety of Philly tours, including:
Where: The Black Journey: African-American Walking Tour begins at Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Black Be Beautiful Mural Tour begins at North 11th Street & Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Uptown Soul Food Tour begins The Nile Cafe, 6008 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
What started in 1975 with a $100 grant has transformed into the largest African American street festival in North America. The annual ODUNDE Festival returns in 2026 for its 51st year.
The week-long celebration ends on Festival Day — Sunday, June 14th, 2026 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) — filling 16 South Philly blocks with thousands of attendees enjoying dozens of marketplace vendors, authentic African, Caribbean and soul food, two stages of live performances, and a procession to the Schuylkill River with offerings of fruit and flowers.
Don’t miss: Bel Biv DeVoe’s headlining performance on festival day Know before you go: Check out the extensive week-long schedule of activities.
Where: Centered at South Street and S. 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Did you know Philly legend Dyana Williams helped found Black Music Month over 45 years ago? It’s only right that Philly celebrates Black musical traditions and its own deep, musical roots each June:
Where: City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church (East), 2800 W. Cheltenham Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club, 600 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Road, Philadelphia, PA
Liberty Point, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate global culinary diversity during Philadelphia African Restaurant Week, with restaurants offering special, discounted menus of African, African American and Caribbean favorites in eateries across the city. Nearly two dozen restaurants participate in the event, including: Food Geez, New Era Cuisine, Eatwell Philly, Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant, Amina Philadelphia and many more.
The culminating Philadelphia African Restaurant Week Festival happens on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. at LOVE Park, with music, dancing, shopping and lots of food.
Good for: Finding a new favorite restaurant Know before you go: Check the official site for updates on participating restaurants.
Where: Participating restaurants including Food Geez, 6326 Sackett Street, Philadelphia, PA
While you are out celebrating Juneteenth across Greater Philadelphia and the Countryside this June, chances are you’ll want to grab a bite, do some shopping or find some new places to explore.
Bookmark our guides to Black-Owned Shops & Boutiques and Black-Owned Restaurants to help you discover ways to support small businesses and find some new-to-you places.
Open Thursdays through Sundays
Founded in 1976, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) opened during the U.S. Bicentennial as the first institution built by a major city to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage and culture of African Americans.
The museum’s permanent exhibit — Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876 — takes a fresh and bold look at the stories of people of African descent in America and their unheralded impact in the founding of the nation.
Good for: A more complete exploration of American history Know before you go: AAMP rotates exhibits regularly, so check the website to see what’s on.
Museum founder Vashti DuBois began The Colored Girls Museum in her then-home in Germantown as a memoir museum to honor “the ordinary colored girl of African descent.”
The goal: to gather artifacts representing a lived experience of Black girls and women. The space’s displays don’t always contain historic artifacts, but they are always true to history.
Don’t miss: Artist vanessa german’s pop-up The Living Room is Blacked Out performance at the museum, debuting with two performances June 20-21, 2026. Vibe: Coming home
Where: The Colored Girls Museum, 4613 Newhall Street, Philadelphia, PA
Typically open Tuesdays through Fridays, April through November
Quaker burial ground Historic Fair Hill serves as the final resting place of many prominent abolitionists and activists, including Lucretia Mott, Robert Purvis and several Black leaders of the Underground Railroad.
After Quaker founder George Fox received the land from William Penn, he established a meetinghouse and a racially integrated burial ground in 1703. Today, visitors can explore the tree-filled grounds (open free of charge) or take part in one of the site’s educational programs such as Saturday Gardening & Family Fun Days.
Know before you go: Grave markers here all look the same, mirroring the Quaker belief in equality and simplicity. Don’t miss: Keep an eye out on the calendar for regular tours of nearby murals, including Tribute to Harriet Tubman.
Where: Historic Fair Hill, 2901 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Open by appointment
A crucial part of the Germantown Historic District, this site attained a National Historic Landmark designation for its role in the Underground Railroad.
Tours offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the injustices of slavery and the 19th-century resident Johnson family, who participated in the Underground Railroad and risked their lives offering refuge to freedom seekers. Among the freedom fighters who stayed here: William Still and, according to family lore, Harriet Tubman.
Good for: Exploring a historic site Know before you go: Complete the tour request form a week ahead of your visit.
Where: Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
This historic Germantown museum, open for tours by appointment only, displays thousands of slavery artifacts — shackles, coffles, branding irons and more — which tell the dark and tragic story of the American slave trade.
The Germantown institution also features ship manifests, auction signs, bills of sale, and a variety of Jim Crow objects that segregated and stereotyped African Americans. The museum also takes artifacts on the road for traveling exhibitions.
Good for: Solemn reflection about the tragedies of slavery Know before you go: Complete an online form to request an appointment to visit.
Where: Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, 5501 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Open year-round
Near Independence Hall stand the remnants of the home where nine Africans — enslaved by presidents George Washington and John Adams — lived, worked and (in one case) escaped.
The free open-air Independence National Historical Park site, on the same block as the Liberty Bell Center, invites visitors to learn about the events that transpired through illustrated panels, video reenactments and archaeological fragments.
Good for: Exploring hidden history Know before you go: The interpretive panels at the President’s House were removed by the National Park Service on January 22, 2026. Approximately half of the interpretive panels were restored on February 20, 2026.
Where: The President’s House, 6th & Market streets, Philadelphia, PA
Open Tuesdays through Thursdays
The home of the abolitionist Judge Richard Peters, a staunch opponent of the Fugitive Slave Act and a precedent-setting judicial decision-maker, has been preserved and transformed into the Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont Mansion.
Visitors can take a tour to explore the site’s abolitionist history and follow in the footsteps of both Founding Fathers, like George Washington, and Black Americans fleeing slavery in the South, like Cornelia Wells, a free African American woman who lived there and aided others seeking freedom.
Good for: Exploring a historic site with hidden history Know before you go: The museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays. Tickets are required.
Where: Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Along with being home to America’s first major museum devoted to Black history and many stops along the Underground Railroad, Philadelphia has countless murals, memorials, and sites acknowledging the Black experience in America and celebrating Black excellence.
Click here for a guide to more Philadelphia museums, historical landmarks, churches, art galleries, and public spaces exploring Black history and culture.
Where: Various locations including Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, 419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Contributing Writer
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet!
Make the most of it by booking the Visit Philly Overnight Package, which comes with free hotel parking and complimentary tickets to some of the most popular attractions in each of Greater Philadelphia’s five counties including Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County and Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County.
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