WISCONSIN — Juneteenth, the federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the U.S., is Thursday, June 19, 2025.
On June 19, 1865, troops in Galveston Bay, Texas, told the last enslaved Black people they were free, through the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863; the 13th Amendment was passed on Jan. 31, 1865 and ratified Dec. 6, 1865.
As the historic day approaches, Wisconsinites are gearing up to celebrate. Here are Juneteenth events happening around the state:
Milwaukee area
Juneteenth Jubilee Parade and Celebration
When: June 19 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Parade route begins on 14th St. and Atkinson Ave. and ends on Dr. MLK Jr. Dr. and Locust St.; festival grounds take place along M.L.K. Dr.
The 54st annual Juneteenth parade in Milwaukee is themed “Juneteenth – A Celebration of Love, Life, and Freedom." Participants include members of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and more. The festival will include 300 vendors lining King Drive selling local food and products. This year, Summerfest will also host a celebration at 6 p.m. at the Henry Maier Festival Park.
When: June 19
Where: America’s Black Holocaust Museum | 401 W. North Ave.
America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee is celebrating Juneteenth as part of "Slice of History," which is a national event series. It's designed to engage Gen Z in meaningful civic participation, through free pizza, a visit to the local museum and various arts and crafts.
When: June 19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: The Peace Park & Garden | 464 W Locust St
This is a full-day experience complete with Juneteenth parade coverage, lunch and a creative connect and the festival grounds photowalk. The event is open to all photographers and visual storytellers to document Black culture, free and joy during the annual celebration.
Juneteenth Gospel Festival MKE
When: June 21 | Noon
Where: Granville Connection | 8633 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee
Gospel Fest will feature live local groups and choirs, spoken word, food vendors, health screenings and more. It offers attendees a chance at cultural discovery.
When: June 14 | Noon-8 p.m.
Where: Dr. John Bryant Community Center | 601 Caron Butler Dr., Racine, Wis.
This Racine event is the culmination of a weeks-long string of events, including a flag raising ceremony, a Sneaker Ball 3.0 event on June 6 and more.
Madison area
When: June 21 | 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Penn Park | 2101 Fisher St.
The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and kicks off at Erdman Clinic - Access Community Center, Villager Shopping Center, 2202 S Park St. It will continue to Penn Park. Following the parade, there will be activities and events celebrating Black history.
YP Juneteenth Social: Family Reunion
When: June 20 | 7-11 p.m.
Where: Black Business Hub | 2352 S. Park Street, Madison
This rooftop event on top of the Black Business Hub aims to reconnect old friends and bring together new ones over food and celebration. There will also be music curated by Sneaky Gator and some games and raffles. Tickets cost between $15-$25 and include drinks and food.
2025 Sun Prairie Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 19 | 4-7 p.m.
Where: Wetmore Park | 555 North St, Sun Prairie, Wis.
The event will have educational activities and speakers discussing the history of the holiday, performances, cultural vendors, family activities and a free community meal.
Green Bay/Fox Cities
6th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
When: June 14 | 11 a.m.
Where: Joannes Park | 215 S. Baird St., Green Bay, Wis.
The 2025 theme for this event is "From Freedom to Flourishing: The Next Chapter." It’s meant to highlight that the holiday is not just about history, but about what comes next. The event will feature live entertainment, music, food and drinks, fun games and more. A parade will also take place around 11:30 a.m. and begin on Chicago Street at We All Rise: African American Resource Center.
Juneteenth Gospel Soul Food Brunch
When: June 7 | 1-4 p.m.
Where: Fox Cities Exhibition Center | 355 W Lawrence St., Appleton, Wis.
This Juneteenth celebration will feature ministering from Dexter Walker & Zion Movement, performances from DJ Haze and Sistar Society, community vendors and culinary feast with live chef food stations.
Ebony Vision's 17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 14 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Buttermilk Creek Park | 700 S. Park Avenue, Fond du Lac
This year, the event will have a food booth with rib tips, red beans and rice, vegan options, collard greens and more. There will also be a full entertainment lineup, children's activities, raffles and more.
La Crosse
La Crosse Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 21 | 12-7 p.m.
Where: Riverside Park | 100 State St.
The fourth annual event will feature food, entertainment, community booths and more. Admission is free.
Wausau
When: June 21 | 5-9 p.m.
Where: Center for the Visual Arts | 427 North 4th St.
This free event aims to honor the importance of the historical holiday. It features food, drinks, music and speakers.
Stevens Point
When: June 21 | Noon-8 p.m.
Where: Piffner Park | 1100 Crosby Ave.
The free, family-friendly event is open to everyone in the Stevens Point community. It will feature Black-owned vendors, live entertainment and more.
Beloit
When: June 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Jones Pavilion, Riverside Park | 1160 Riverside Dr.
For the first time ever in Beloit, Chicago DJ Slick J Adams will hit the stage for a musical performance.
Kenosha
When: June 14 | 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Park | 6900 18th Ave.
Enjoy a day of family friendly activities, complete with food, music, Miss Juneteenth honorees, Black Wall Street Kenosha, a basketball tournament and more. The rain date for this event will be on Saturday, June 21, at the same time and location.
Sheboygan
When: June 21 | Noon-5 p.m.
Where: Kiwanis Park | 726 Kiwanis Park Road
Hosted by Black-American Community Outreach, this event comes back with a community resource fair, a black excellence recognition program, a sweet potato pie baking contest, a royal court and more.
Rice Lake
Rice Lake Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 19 | 6-8 p.m.
Where: Roux Park | 1129 W Marshall St.
Celebrate Juneteenth with an evening of music, food, community information tables and more. The event is free to attend.
*This list will continue to be updated leading up to the holiday, but is not an exclusive event list.
