Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating what came to be known as the end of slavery, on June 19, 1865. On that day, 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 celebrated with free and ticketed events throughout the region. Here are some highlights of this year’s scheduled events.
2026 WESTERN PA HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
This annual Juneteenth celebration spreads throughout the city, with a Downtown focus in Point State Park and Market Square that includes free live entertainment and family-friendly programming throughout the day and into the evening, June 18–21, 2026. The celebration includes opportunities to connect with Black-owned businesses through a Small Business Economic Impact Zone, a vendor plaza open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Events launch on Juneteenth eve, with the 21+ All Black (Clothing) Boat Party: 2-Boats & 2-DJs. Boarding starts at 9 p.m., leaving at 10, and featuring Empress with DJ Rok & Mike Dean and Duchess with DJ Nick Nice & Brother Marlon aka DJ Marvalous, at the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Cash bar and refreshments onboard.
MAIN STAGE MUSIC
- Friday, June 19: Lloyd, Leela James
- Saturday, June: Musiq Soulchild, Ill-Harmonic Orchestra
- Sunday, June 21: Fabolous, Marsha Ambrosius
MARKET SQUARE
- Friday, June 19: Opening Ceremony at 1 p.m.; Dr. James T Johnson Tribute at 1:15 p.m., Phyllis Hyman Tribute at 2:30 p.m.; The Franchise Band, 6 p.m.; and Final Draft at 8 p.m.
- Saturday June 20: DJ Set, noon; Big Jus & Steel City Horns at 2 p.m.; The Flow Band at 3:30 p.m.; Akron’s Old School Band at 6 p.m.; Keith Washington at 8 p.m.
- Sunday June 21: Brother Marlon Gospel Showcase at 1 p.m.; House of Soul Band at 3 p.m.; 496 West Band at 6 p.m.; Evelyn Champagne King at 8 p.m.
GRAND JUBILEE JUNETEENTH PARADE
Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m.: The parade winds through Downtown Pittsburgh, on a route covering Centre Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Liberty Avenue, and featuring steppers, dancers, horses, marching units, and community groups. Part of the WPA Juneteenth and Black Music Celebration, it is billed as the largest Juneteenth festival in North America. Organizers: B Marshall Productions / WPA Juneteenth. Details: https://www.juneteenthevents.us/event/pittsburgh-wpa-juneteenth-grand-jubilee-parade-2026
SOURCES
- VisitPittsburgh: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/events-festivals/annual-events/juneteenth/
- WPA 2025 Juneteenth Celebrations: https://www.facebook.com/WPAJuneteenth/
- B Marshall Productions: https://www.stoptheviolencepgh.com/
WQED’s BLACK HORIZONS: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND MEDIA HISTORY
Friday, June 10, 6-7:30 p.m. | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland) | CLP is closed on the Juneteenth federal holiday
As a lead-up to Juneteenth, this event features a screening of selected musical performances originally broadcast on WQED’s Black Horizons, the nation’s longest-running television program created specifically to serve Black audiences. Minette Seate, Executive Producer at WQED and a longtime contributor to the series, will discuss the program and the significance of the featured performances. Molly Tighe, Archives Manager at WQED, will discuss the preservation of legacy media and show how audiences can explore the collection through the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. For adults. Details: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/wqeds-black-horizons-a-celebration-of-music-and-media-history/
CARNEGIE CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH
Saturday, June 20, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free event at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie
Guests are invited to commemorate Juneteenth with “food, art, education, and fun” for all ages, happening outdoors as weather permits. Registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Details: https://carnegiecarnegie.org/event/carnegie-celebrates-juneteenth-3/.
JUNETEENTH WEEKEND IN PITTSBURGH
- Saturday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.: Emmy-award winning artist FRZY and River City Brass come together in a one-night-only performance United in Sound, sponsored by Duolingo, “a powerful blend of live music with high-energy hip-hop and fresh arrangements by Christian Kriegeskotte.” FRZY is joined by RCB and DJ Solo Dolo, with hits such as “FRZY Boulevard,” “Not That Guy,” and “Headed for the Crown.” Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. Tickets are “pay what moves you,” $15-$30. Details: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/frzy-river-city-brass-present-united-in-sound-sponsored-by-duolingo/
- Saturday, June 20,10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The August Wilson African American Culture Center crosses the Roberto Clemente Bridge to Riverlife’s Shore Thing, and a presentation of jazzjAM on Shore Thing: Howie Alexander This event is part of the Shore Thing Performing Arts Series, presented by The Charity Randall Foundation. Details: https://awaacc.org/event/jazzjam-on-shore-thing-howie-alexander/https://awaacc.org/event/jazzjam-on-shore-thing-howie-alexander/.
🗓️ Having a 2026 Juneteenth event that you don’t see here? Email name of event, date, time, place and online link to mustpittsburgh@gmail.com, and we will update our listing.
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