Although Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday nationwide, local traditions often shape how and when it is celebrated. In Champaign-Urbana, Juneteenth festivities began over Father’s Day weekend in 2025, but there is still time to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. 

The name “Juneteenth” merges “June” and “nineteenth,” commemorating the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans were finally free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Early Juneteenth celebrations, which began in 1866, often centered around church gatherings and community picnics, and over time spread throughout the South and eventually the nation as Black families migrated and carried their traditions with them. For generations, Juneteenth has served as both a jubilant celebration of freedom and a solemn reminder of the long struggle for equality and justice in America.

This year, Champaign-Urbana honors Juneteenth with a vibrant lineup of events that blend historical remembrance with joyful celebration. 

Soulful Streets: Food, Flavor, and Black-Owned Businesses

On Tuesday, June 17, the Illinois Street City of Urbana Lot will transform into a hub of culinary delights for “Soulful Streets: A Juneteenth Food Truck Festival.” From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a variety of Black-owned local food vendors, including the popular Brother George’s BBQ, will serve up late breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

Learning, Creating, and Celebrating: June 18 Highlights

Wednesday, June 18, is packed with educational and celebratory events. The day begins at the Urbana Health and Wellness Center with “Understanding Juneteenth: History, Liberation, and Legacy,” a free program from 1 to 5 p.m. featuring workshops, interactive activities, and a panel discussion titled “This Legacy: Effective Communicators Required.” Presentations will explore the origins of Juneteenth in 1865 and local Black history, with special workshops designed for families.

At 4 p.m., children can head to the Douglass Branch Library in Champaign for a hands-on Juneteenth flag-making activity. Kids will learn about the flag’s history, designed by Ben Haith in 1997, featuring a white five-point star and a blue-and-red background symbolizing freedom and new beginnings, and create their own flags, inspired by the book A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor.

The celebrations continue into the evening at Prairie Park in Urbana, where the Urbana Free Library and Urbana Park District will host a community gathering from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy live music by New Souls, free food, community art projects, resource tables, and games, all in the spirit of celebrating Black freedom and achievement.

Music lovers can cap off the day at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, where acclaimed rapper Talib Kweli will headline a free Juneteenth concert from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM, the event promises high-energy performances and prize giveaways in the Krannert Center lobby.

Parade and Concerts: June 19, the Holiday

On Thursday, June 19, the Well Experience will lead its annual Juneteenth Parade, starting at 1 p.m. at Philo Road and Colorado Avenue in Urbana. The parade, featuring youth, community groups, and decorated vehicles, winds through Urbana and concludes at the Salt and Light parking lot.

The week’s festivities wrap up at Douglass Park in Champaign with a free concert by Afro D & Global Soundwaves from 5 to 7 p.m. The band’s blend of hip-hop, jazz, and funkoffers a fitting finale to Champaign-Urbana’s Juneteenth celebrations.

Throughout the week, residents are also encouraged to explore the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail and support Black-owned businesses, deepening their understanding of the holiday’s significance and the ongoing journey toward equality and justice