Trombone Shorty rests his instrument on a car with a colorful mural in the background

Trombone Shorty (Photo: Justen Williams)

Celebrate Juneteenth in Chicago with music, food, festivals, and more in events around the city.

The 1865 Fest

A rich lineup of Juneteenth happenings features music, food, and workshops, as well as events to honor Black service members and veterans and a celebration of Father's Day.

Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival

6/15 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School South Parking Lot; $10

South Chicago's largest Juneteenth celebration returns with live music, entertainment, vendors, a parade and even a royal court.

Juneteenth Village Fest

6/15 at Douglass Park; free

Douglass Park — which in 2020 was renamed after abolitionists Frederick and Anna Murray Douglass following a community-led campaign — is host to music (including Chicago's iconic rapper Common), food, carnival attractions, and more.

Playlist: 19 African American Composers to Celebrate on Juneteenth (and Every Day of the Year)

Stephen Raskauskas | June 19, 2018

Though African Americans have faced oppression throughout American history and the arts, Black composers’ contributions to music have been nothing short of history-changing.

Juneteenth at DuSable

6/19 at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center; free

Chicago's celebrated institution for Black history and education shares a full day of Juneteenth events with numerous focuses. There's a family-friendly, agriculture-themed lineup boasting a petting zoo, farmers market, planting station, and horseback riding. There are music performances across genres: from country to house to R&B. The celebration also features a yoga session and a roller rink!

D-Composed and The Nap Ministry Presents: Freedom Lullabies

6/19 at the Gary Comer Youth Center; free

This free, family-friendly event features one of Chicago's most dedicated and groundbreaking ensembles, D-Composed. At the time of writing, the concert is fully booked, but those interested can still join the waitlist.

Juneteenth Celebration at Navy Pier

6/19 at the Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park; free

Free music and food beckon in this celebration that featured dance, DJs, and bucket drummers.

Grant Park Music Festival: Songs of Freedom

6/19 at Pritzker Pavilion and WFMT; free

Soprano Karen Slack — recently appointed Lyric Opera of Chicago's Lyric Unlimited artist-in-residence — takes center stage in this Juneteenth-oriented concert anchored by works by Margaret Bonds and Jessie Montgomery. See it in person at Pritzker Pavilion, or tune in to a live broadcast on right here on WFMT.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Big Boi

6/19 at Ravinia Festival; from $48

Coinciding with Juneteenth is this concert from star multigenre artist Trombone Shorty. An ambassador for the rich musical heritage of his hometown New Orleans, Trombone Shorty is joined onstage by hip hop legend Big Boi.

Juneteenth Celebration (featuring Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues)

6/19 at the Old Town School of Folk Music; free

Celebrate Juneteenth with Billy Branch — one of the last bluesmen to receive mentorship and guidance from some of the original blues giants like James Cotton and Bo Diddley. He will be joined by members of his large blues ensemble called Sons of Blues.

Hyde Park Jazz Festival Artist Corps Juneteenth Celebration

6/19 at South Merrill Community Garden and 6/22 on the lawn of The.BlkRoom; free

Across two days, take in music by Alysha Monique and The Family Divine, the Bethany Pickens Coalition, The Juju Exchange, and DJ Duane Powell. The performances come through the Hyde Park Jazz Festival's Artist Corps program, which supports Chicago musicians and arts programming.