Get ready to celebrate Juneteenth, now in its second year as an official federal holiday! Downtown will be host to the longest and largest event with several communities also hosting
A few events already took place earlier this month, but don’t miss out on these upcoming ones.
Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration
Allegheny County’s largest Juneteenth celebration takes place Friday, June 17th through Sunday, June 19th at Point State Park and Market Square. It runs from 11am – 9pm each day. This free, family-friendly event features African American Culture Education, speakers, live music and local vendors. Don’t miss the parade through Downtown on Saturday, June 18th at 10am followed by a voting rights forum at 1pm. There will be a “Juneteenth Minority Vendor Plaza” where dozens of minority-owned small businesses, artisans, and other vendors will be along Liberty and Penn Ave each day. Daily concerts from 11am-9pm with the funk-soul band War headlining at 8pm on Sunday, June 19th.
Juneteenth Events at the August Wilson Center
The remaining events of the “Juneteenth-Afrikan Lecture Series” happen on Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th with Prof. Ashra Kwesi and Dr. Anthony Browder, respectively. For more lecture details call the August Wilson Center at 412-339-1011. Also on Wednesday, June 15th at 8pm is “Poetry Unplugged: A Juneteenth Celebration” which is an NYC-style night of music, poetry, and activism.
Juneteenth Maker’s Market in Bakery Square
This pop-up market in the Bakery Square Conservatory aims to uplift the art and voices of the Black community in Pittsburgh and beyond. Check it out on Sunday, June 19th from 10am – 4pm. No list of vendors was available at the time we published, so check their event page for the latest event information.
Swissvale Celebrates Juneteenth
Since 2019 Swissvale has recognized and celebrated Juneteenth as an official holiday and this year’s annual day of celebration takes place on Saturday, June 18th from 12pm – 8m at Les Getz Memorial Park. Activities will include music, vendors, a local artist exhibition and the results of the middle and high school students’ writing contest on “the concept of freedom and the celebration of Juneteenth to their life and goals for the future”.
Juneteenth Art & Music Festival
Sewickley Community Center’s Juneteenth Festival takes place on Saturday, June 18th 12pm – 6 p.m.. The full day of fun for the entire family includes kids activities, local vendors and artists, a variety of food options, opportunities to purchase unique merchandise, and great music to end the celebration.
Juneteenth Sharpsburg
On Saturday, June 25th 4pm – 8pm at Kennedy Park Sharpsburg will celebrate Juneteenth in a family-friendly event for all ages. Music, crafts, entertainment, and vendors. All paid entertainment will be provided by Black-owned businesses and all vendors are black-owned businesses.
Then keep the celebration rolling by also getting to the 2022 Pittsburgh Black Music Festival July 14th – 17th at Point State Park and Market Square. The four-day festival features live jazz, gospel, hip-hop, RnB, funk, blues and soul performances.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.