Juneteenth Events in Pierce and King County

June is a full month of celebration and communities across Pierce and King County have been preparing to commemorate Juneteenth, a day that signifies the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Liberation Day, marks the date of June 19, 1865; when the Union Army led by General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free. This news came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of African American culture, heritage, and progress, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equity and justice.

For early kickoffs of Juneteenth, stop by the Lakewood City Hall on June 15th for a celebration of African American culture and history with local community leaders from 3-5PM. Learn about the significance of Juneteenth and to capture this moment as a time to unify as a community.

On Juneteenth, A Road to Economic Freedom in Tacoma will host their annual celebration at Stewart Heights Park. This family-friendly event will take place from 10AM - 6PM and will be packed with activities for all ages! Enjoy live performances by platinum selling group 702, 100+ vendors and businesses, the 2024 Miss Juneteenth Pageant and much more. Our Abode Lakewood office will also be in attendance and set up with their booth to engage with the community and take part in this joyous occasion, come by and say hello! Join in and fill the park with the sounds of celebration and to create a sight of community togetherness.

Seattle’s own Northwest African American Museum will kick off their complementary events on Saturday, June 15th with a community Juneteenth Skate Party for an afternoon of fun with music, food trucks, and entertainment for all ages to enjoy. The celebration will continue with a special Father’s Day event with a family friendly in-person interactive story time provided with free copies of books to give away. Enjoy Father’s Day at NAAM with the sounds of Seattle jazz band, Goody Bagg and more family friendly activities at the museum. The following Wednesday will conclude the festivities with a Juneteenth celebration that includes a free museum admission to learn about black history. Exhibitions that will be on display include Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See andInterrupting Privilege; along with arts and crafts. Find additional info on these events and to learn more about NAAM visit their website.

Whether you’re in Lakewood, Tacoma, or Seattle, there are many Juneteenth events taking place across the South Sound. We encourage you to take a moment to seek out Juneteenth events that may be happening in your neck of the woods!