Juneteenth,\u00a0observed\u00a0each year on June 19, commemorates the day news of the abolition of slavery finally reached Texas. More than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, marking a pivotal moment in American history.<\/p>\n
The movement to\u00a0establish\u00a0Juneteenth as a national holiday was championed by Opal Lee, a longtime resident of Fort Worth. Thanks in large part to her advocacy, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, earning Lee the title \u201cGrandmother of Juneteenth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are 12\u00a0Juneteenth events happening in Dallas-Fort Worth, which includes\u00a0exhibitions, concerts,\u00a0walks\u00a0and celebrations.<\/p>\n
DALLAS MLK FREEDOM WALK<\/p>\n
A community walk in celebration of freedom,\u00a0resilience\u00a0and the continued pursuit of justice for all.\u00a0Attendees will begin walking from the\u00a0MLK Jr.\u00a0Community Center\u00a0and will go for 2.5 miles and\u00a0end\u00a0at Fair\u00a0Park.<\/p>\n
June 13 at 8:30 a.m.\u00a0at\u00a0South Dallas MLK\u00a0Jr. Community\u00a0Center\u00a0to\u00a0Fair Park, Dallas.\u00a0Registration is $39.74 for adults and free for youth 18 and under.\u00a0dallasmlkcenter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n ‘MANDELA: THE OFFICIAL EXHIBITION’\u00a0<\/p>\n Get an up-close look at the life of Nelson Mandela, South Africa\u2019s first Black president. The exhibition features Mandela\u2019s\u00a0personal possessions,\u00a0artifacts\u00a0and\u00a0an\u00a0immersive\u00a0gallery.<\/p>\n June 13 to Nov. 1 at the African American Museum,\u00a03536 Grand Ave., Dallas. Free. aamdallas.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n JUNETEENTH + SUMMERFEST DALLAS 2026<\/p>\n This\u00a0event will be a full day of community,\u00a0culture\u00a0and celebration and will feature the MLK Freedom Walk, a community clean-up, mural installations, a healthful-living zone, a kids zone with water slides, and live music performances.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 12-13 from 8:30 a.m.\u00a0to 3 p.m.\u00a0at the\u00a0South Dallas\u00a0MLK Center to Fair Park, Dallas.\u00a0Free.\u00a0thewallsproject.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n DENTON JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION<\/p>\n A four-day celebration commemorating Juneteenth. Over the four days, there will be\u00a0food, music,\u00a0culture\u00a0and community.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 16 through 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.\u00a0at Fred Moore\u00a0Park, 501 South Bradshaw St., Denton.\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a><\/p>\n MANSFIELD\u2019S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION<\/p>\n The city of Mansfield will be hosting its\u00a0Juneteenth event at Geyer Commons. It will feature live music by the Revelers Hall Band, dancing, food trucks,\u00a0yard games, photo\u00a0ops\u00a0and vendors.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 19\u00a0from\u00a05\u00a0to 9 p.m. at\u00a0Geyer Commons,\u00a0605 E Broad St.,\u00a0Mansfield.\u00a0Free.\u00a0mansfieldtexas.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n LITTLE ELM JUNETEENTH CONCERT<\/p>\n An evening featuring live music from The David Whiteman Band, food, vendors, community\u00a0remarks\u00a0and a special video message from the \u201cGrandmother of Juneteenth,\u201d Opal Lee.<\/p>\n June 19 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at\u00a0125 Main St., Little Elm. Free.\u00a0lakefrontlittleelm.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n OPAL\u2019S WALK FOR FREEDOM<\/p>\n Participants will walk 2.5 miles in honor of the 2.5 years between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and its enforcement in Texas. The walk will happen in 10 cities across the U.S., including Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 19 at 9 a.m. at Will Rogers Square, 3401 West Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth.\u00a0opalswalk2dc.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 5th\u00a0ANNUAL ARLINGTON JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION<\/p>\n The fifth annual Arlington Juneteenth celebration will\u00a0showcase\u00a0live music by Levitt Youth Spotlight, Branoofunck\u00a0and\u00a04Ya\u00a0Soul Band.\u00a0Plus,\u00a0a vendor market and food trucks.\u00a0Guests\u00a0can bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on.<\/p>\n June 20 at 5 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St., Arlington. Free.\u00a0levittpavilionarlington.org.<\/a><\/p>\n 2026 DENISON JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL\u00a0<\/p>\n Munson Park will be the site of the Denison Juneteenth celebration. It will be a day full of local vendors, bounce houses, food, live music, scholarship giveaways,\u00a0prizes\u00a0and more fun.<\/p>\n June 20 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Munson Park, 310 Ball Park Loop, Denison. Free.\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n MANIFEST YOUR PURPOSE JUNETEENTH MARKET<\/p>\n Shop and support\u00a0more than 100 Black-owned businesses at The Shops at Redbird. There will also be\u00a0curated cocktails and delicious bites.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 20 from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Shops at Redbird, 3662 West Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas. Free.\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n GARLAND\u2019S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION\u00a0<\/p>\n In downtown Garland, attendees will get to enjoy live entertainment from Don Diego Band, Unfaded Brass Band and DJ Raspy. There will also be a special dedication of the new mosaic mural honoring The Flats-Garland’s original freestanding African American community.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Downtown Garland Square, 520 W State St., Garland. Free. visitgarlandtx.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n JUNETEENTH FLAVOR FEST<\/p>\n Celebrate Juneteenth by attending the Juneteenth flavor fest, which will be a vibrant celebration of culture,\u00a0community\u00a0and freedom. There will be a wide variety of food vendors,\u00a0games\u00a0and raffles.\u00a0<\/p>\n June 20 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Mar\u00a0Thoma\u00a0Event Center, 11500 Luna Road, Dallas. Free.\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Subscribe<\/p>\n