Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation – 2 1/2 years after President Lincoln signed the Proclamation, and two months after the Union victory in the Civil War.
Juneteenth is observed with free and ticketed events throughout the region. Here are some highlights of this year’s events and celebrations.
WESTERN PA JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL
Billed as “the biggest Juneteenth celebration in the nation,” the annual Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Festival will be held at Mellon Park, June 19-22, 2025. Free events include the Youth Fest, starting at 11 a.m. each day, and the official opening ceremony at 2-3 p.m., with speakers including Democratic Mayoral candidate Corey O’Connor, followed by an all-star music lineup.
June 19-22: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Youth Fest, including Penguins dek hockey, basketball and softball tournaments, the Youth FUN ZONE, and Pittsburgh Steelers participation.
June 19: p.m.: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra previews its upcoming Kings of Soul concert series (Main Stage area). 8 p.m.: ’90s-era all-female soul band 702. 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.: Morris Day & The Time.
Also on June 19: The 2025 Juneteenth All-White Boat Party – Dress in your best white outfit and dance the night away on the Dutchess and Empress of the Gateway Clipper Fleet, with national DJs. Tickets and details here.
Friday, June 20 – 6 p.m: Kut Klose. 7 p.m.: Jon B. 8 p.m.: Dru Hill, with a special solo performance by Sysco.
Saturday, June 21 – 6 p.m.: The Blackbyrds. 7 p.m.: Hi-Five. 8 p.m.: Donell Jones.
Sunday, June 22 – 6 p.m.: Sunshine Anderson. 7 p.m.: Trina. 8 p.m.: Jadakiss.
Learn more about the Jubilee Parade, Downtown, on June 21, and other Juneteenth-related events at wpajuneteenth.com.
CITY OF PITTSBURGH JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
In 2025, the City of Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey and CitiParks are collaborating on a series of community-centered free events, “honoring the enduring spirit and cultural contributions of African Americans.”
The free events culminate on WAMO DAY, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, noon to 5 p.m., at the Highland Park Fountain Lawn. On June 19, 1993, WAMO 107.3 hosted Pittsburgh’s first organized Juneteenth celebration. As part of the festivities, Mayor Gainey will present keys to the City to several notable African American leaders, in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
Also part of the celebration, the Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park program is featuring movies that showcase the work of Black artists: the animated Disney/Pixar movie Soul and August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences, will be shown outdoors at dusk on the following dates and venues:
- Monday, June 16, Banksville: Soul
- Wednesday, June 18, Schenley Park at Flagstaff Hill: Fences
- Wednesday, June 18, Schenley Plaza: Fences
- Friday, June 20, Arsenal Park: Soul
- Saturday, June 21, Grandview Park: Soul
- Saturday, June 21, Riverview Park, at the base of the Observatory: Fences
Other City of Pittsburgh events on Juneteenth include the CommUnity Concert at Allegheny Commons East (at Cedar and Lockhart Street) on Saturday, June 14, 2025, 1-5 p.m. Performing artists Kanti Kasa and Live from the City will be onstage for the celebration, featuring kids’ activities and a cookout, with partner Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. The first 100 meals are free, and there will be additional food vendors, a 3-point shootout contest and additional games.
Learn more by visiting www.pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Special-Events/Juneteenth
MORE JUNETEENTH EVENTS
- The adaptation of Wilson’s other Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Piano Lesson, will be shown on June 19, 2025, at The Lindsay Theater in Sewickley, through a partnership with the Sewickley Community Center’s Juneteenth Committee. Tickets for the 7:15 p.m. screening are $11. Find tickets and details here.
- On June 16, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center will partner with Plum Borough Library to explore the life and legacy of Pittsburgh native August Wilson and the significance of Juneteenth. The program includes sessions for grades 3–8, learning ways the playwright’s life and work intersect with the themes of freedom and cultural identity celebrated during Juneteenth. After the presentation, there will be a hands-on art activity, courtesy of the August Wilson Center. Learn more here.
- In Carnegie, PA, the holiday will be celebrated with free food; games and face-painting; a dance performance by Dance INK; artwork by members of Carlynton’s Black Student Union; and special talks from Pitt professor Alaina Roberts and Carnegie’s Second Baptist Church. Learn more here.
- Visit VisitPittsburgh here for more on what the city has in store for Juneteenth.
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