Detroit Juneteenth Celebrations in 2023
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
The year 2023 marks the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday that honors the end of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, Union troops marched into Galveston, Texas and took control of the state to free all who were enslaved. Juneteenth is the longest-running Black/African American holiday, and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate it in Detroit in 2023.
5th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit (JJD) Freedom Weekend
Join Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit for an impactful weekend dedicated to educating, celebrating, and activating the city of Detroit as they commemorate Juneteenth Freedom Day. All events happen between Friday, June 16 and Sunday, June 18 this year. This agenda details each event by the day. Visit juneteenthjubileedet.com for more.
Friday, June 16: Beats and BBQ Juneteenth Kickoff
Time: 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Address: 1400 Porter St. in Detroit.
Details: Head over to Batch Brewing Company for a celebratory block party kickoff for Juneteenth Freedom Weekend, featuring an “Artist Walk & Chat” hosted by Eradajere Oleita. The event will also include live performances, an art installation, BBQ and more. This is a free event. Click here to register.
Saturday, June 17: Freedom Day 5K for Health, Wealth, and Literacy
Time: 8 a.m. until noon
Address: 8425 W. McNichols Road in Detroit.
Details: The Freedom Day 5K for health, wealth, and literacy is a walk/run that will take place Saturday Morning at Marygrove Conservancy. This fundraiser will help organizations that break barriers to accessing financial, educational, and physical freedom in Detroit.
Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at this link. All proceeds will go to a nonprofit or charitable organization that supports health, wealth, or literacy.
Saturday, June 17: Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll
Time: Noon until 6 p.m.
Address: Check-in is at 19747 Livernois Ave. in Detroit.
Details: Take part in this Black business stroll on the Livernois Historic Avenue of Fashion, and includes giveaways, live entertainment, discounts an HBCU tailgate and more. Parking is free until 6:30 p.m. at Lots B and D on Livernois and Pembroke. This is a free event. Click here to register.
Sunday, June 18: Freedom Fest
Time: Noon until 6 p.m.
Address: Eastern Market (2934 Russell Street in Detroit) sheds 5 and 6.
Details: Juneteenth Freedom Weekend culminates with Freedom Fest, where a kid’s zone, a grown zone, food trucks, Black business vendors and live performances will all be featured. Click here to register for this free event.
Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration at The Wright Museum
Date and time: Monday, June 19 from noon until 6 p.m.
Address: 315 E. Warren Ave. in Detroit.
Details: Looking for a safe space to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth? Join the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in enjoying several engaging and educational activities. From live singing and storytelling to pony rides and hustle dance classes, The Wright has something for all ages. Come have fun, learn something impactful, and engage with the community. Visit The Wright’s Facebook page for more info.
3rd Annual Madison Heights Juneteenth Food Truck Rally
Date and time: Saturday, June 17, from noon until 6 p.m.
Address: Civic Center Park at 360 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights.
Details: Eat, drink and celebrate freedom at the 2023 Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration, revolving around an awesome food truck court of African-American-owned food trucks. Feast on everything from Po’ Boys and Caribbean to elephant ears and egg rolls.
Food trucks scheduled to a part of the lineup include:
- Big Bo’s Grill
- Grillz on Wheelz
- Mr. Creole
- Eight Claws Crab Boil LLC
- Yeah It’s Vegan
- B L Ellis Catering
- Clara’s Place Soul Food
- MOTOR CITY SWEET TREATS
- Royal Treats & Eats
- So Icy Italian Ice
There will also be live music, dozens of local vendors, educational exhibits, a petting zoo and pony rides, a 25-foot climbing tower, bounce houses and more. Admission is free and so is parking. Visit the event’s official website for more info.
The DDAPRI’s Juneteenth and Father’s Day “Back 2 The 90’s” BBQ and Fundraiser
Date and time: Saturday, June 17, from noon until 6 p.m.
Address: 2161 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
Details: Celebrate Juneteenth with delicious BBQ dinners, Juneteenth holiday educational presentations and information, a trivia contest, activity tables for kids, vendors and raffle baskets, and voter education/registration info with the Detroit/Downriver A. Philip Randolph Institute (DDAPRI). This event is in the heart of the city at Laborers Local 1191.
There will also be special treats honoring the dads in attendance while supplies last. The DDAPRI is taking lunch orders to be delivered to the work sites of four or more in quantity in the Metro Detroit area! Please email [email protected] View the event flyer at this link.
Detroit Black-owned businesses, restaurants to support
There are hundreds of Black-owned businesses that Michigan residents and those near Metro Detroit can support all year-round. Visit Detroit compiled a list of more than 75 Black-owned restaurants, retail stores, museums, fitness centers, spas and other businesses Detroiters should consider visiting soon.
Click here to view Visit Detroit’s complete list.
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