Celebrating Juneteenth in Springfield Illinois | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield

  • May 5, 2025
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Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Heritage


Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is observed annually on June 19th. The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas, where on June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, announcing the end of slavery in Texas, and nearly two & a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth became a federal across the country and state holiday in Illinois in 2021.

Springfield, like some many other communities across the country, celebrates Juneteenth.  2025 will mark 31 years since the first Juneteenth celebration in Springfield.  And to commemorate, organizers have set up a week-long celebration. Check out these events throughout Springfield from June 12th to June 19th.



6/12 Mr. & Miss. Juneteenth Pageant: Held at the auditorium of the Springfield Southeast High School, the pageant encourages youth to express their values and diverse backgrounds.

6/13 Juneteenth Lunch & Learn:  Bring a sack lunch and listen to the Juneteenth Lunch & Learn panel at the Illinois State Museum from Noon-2pm.  Moderated by Dr. Brian Mitchell. 

6/13 NOIR 5 Exhibit Reception:  The Illinois State Museum hosts a reception for the NOIR 5 exhibit.  The reception will feature a poetry reading, award ceremony, & exhibit walkthrough. 

6/13-6/26 Emancipation Proclamation on Display:  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library will have a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation on display that was signed by Abraham Lincoln.  The document will be free to view in the Library weekdays June 13-26 with a special viewing on Saturday June 14th. 

6/14 Annual Juneteenth Celebration Unity Parade: Join us for this annual tradition.  The parade begins at Martin Luther King Jr Drive & South Grand Ave and finishes at Comer Cox Park.

6/14 Juneteenth Car & Bike Show: Get your car, motorcycle, truck, or jeep ready for the Juneteenth Celebration.  The show will take place at Comer Cox Park.

6/15 Juneteenth Outdoor Revival: This vibrant and uplifting church service held at Comer Cox Park will be followed by community performances, music and more.

6/16 Stop the Violence Community Panel: This event will be held at One in a Million Inc (700 S Livingston St).

6/17 Free-ish: Juneteenth and the Long Legacy of 1619—A Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones: Join the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for a thought-provoking conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The 1619 Project.

6/18 Juneteenth Youth Day: The Outlet hosts a celebration honoring culture, freedom, & community.  The celebration features outdoor games, youth resources, a poetry contest and more. 

6/19 Juneteenth Youth Breakfast: Salvation Army Springfield will host the breakfast dedicated to uplifting young voices and celebrating the richness of Black culture.

6/19 Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Documentary Viewing:  Join Lincoln Land Community College for their third annual Freedom Walk around the campus.  There will also be a viewing of "Juneteenth 1865-1901" in the commonus rotunda.

6/19 Free Admission to the ALPLM:  In honor of Juneteenth, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum will be offering free admission.

6/19 The Nature of Freedom: A Literary Commemoration of Juneteenth (Free Evening Performance): Enjoy this readers theater piece at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum that sites people like Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Robert Smalls and more. (There will also be daytime performances June 12-19 that are included with paid admission to the ALPLM)

6/19 Juneteenth Levitt Amp Concert: Bring your lawnchairs to the Y-Block (next to the Illinois Governor's Mansion) for a free concert of New Orleans-style funk music by The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

Please join us for these events as we celebrate the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice that Juneteenth represents.