Valley-wide Juneteenth events celebrate freedom, family and community

By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

On the cusp of the country’s 250th anniversary, Juneteenth celebrations are occurring this month throughout the Valley to recognize a part of American history when enslaved people received their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was finalized on Jan. 1, 1863.

When formerly enslaved Black and African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865, many of them went throughout the country to find their relatives and loved ones who they were separated from.

Also known as “Freedom Day,” or “Emancipation Day,” and “Independence Day,” Juneteenth -- a portmanteau, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth” -- commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. Annual celebrations of newfound freedom, for those formerly enslaved, date back to 1866 as Juneteenth is considered the oldest Black American holiday in many U.S. regions and Black communities countrywide.

According to published reports, June 19th was marked by cultural traditions of having family reunions, eating, praying, educating and sharing stories passed down through generations during cookouts, family gatherings and festivities filled with entertainment and more.

Declared a federal holiday by former President Joe Biden, an abundance of Juneteenth events featuring family-friendly festivities, celebrating freedom, culture and community happen valleywide to commemorate the occasion and its historical significance.

Among regional entertainment, the Southwest Steppaz will perform at various Juneteenth functions with appearances at 11 a.m. June 14 at ASU Heritage Hall; 6-8 p.m. June 17 at Alliance Bank; 6 p.m. June 19 at Archwood Exchange Family Reunion at 702 N. 21st Ave; 9 p.m. June 19 City of Tempe Block Party; 6-11 p.m. June 20 Rep Your Brand Juneteenth Celebration Arizona Center.

Note: Scheduled events in the Valley may change without notice, so check before attending.

Saturday, June 13

• Juneteenth at Phoenix Art Museum: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. June 13 at Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. The Phoenix Art Museum is celebrating Juneteenth, collaborating with the Black Rodeo USA Foundation, to present Black Rodeo’s anticipated evening events plus host museum-wide programming including a full-day itinerary. Discounted admission all day. Ticket includes access to the museum including special-engagement exhibitions and an afternoon of interactive kiddie activities. Tickets: $10 for adults and students; $5 for youths, 6–17; Free for PhxArt members. See: https://phxart.org
• Valley of the Sun Juneteenth Celebration: 5-9 p.m. June 13 at Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson Street, which historically housed Juneteenth celebrations and cultural/educational programming featuring live music, DJs, local vendors, arts and crafts, storytelling and more in Phoenix. Hosted by Black Rodeo USA, this is a free family-friendly event with free parking at the church parking lot at the 15th and Jefferson streets and nearby. Since the late Vernell Coleman revived the Juneteenth celebration in Phoenix in 1968 at Eastlake Park, this long-standing tradition draws the biggest crowd with live entertainment, educational workshops/presentations, youth scholarship awards, fine arts displays, free health screenings, children’s activities and more. Details: eventeny.com/events/valley-of-the-sun-celebration
• Culture Music in the Park: 7-9:30 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Live music by Vaughn Willis & Ear Candy and community activities, appearance by Ms. Juneteenth 2026–27 will be among Juneteenth and Freedom Week celebrations hosted by the city of Chandler’s Connection and Impact Division. Connect with community organizations and city departments, and participate in interactive art and storytelling. Free photo booth. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a night of music, culture and connection. Free admission and covered parking available off Boston and Buffalo streets. See: chandleraz.gov/events/culture-music-park
• Carver’s Third annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 13 at George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 415 E. Grant Street, Phoenix. Celebrate freedom, history and the “enduring contributions” of the Black community and heritage while enjoying a day of family and fellowship. Inquiries: info@thecarveraz.org. Call: 602-675-4755.
• Scottsdale Juneteenth Freedom Festival: 6-11 p.m. June 13 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Hosted by Jazzy the Healer, the free event features live performances by DAT VIBE, art walk, shopping and more. See: azjuneteenthevents.com/scottsdale.
• Celebrate Soul: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., June 13 & 14, at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix. Celebrate Soul at Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. Listen to soul music, from classic Motown to today’s Neo-soul. Dance, sing and “join a youth-led soul train” to learn about music being the “language of the soul.” Program included with $20 general museum admission ticket. Details: mim.org/events/celebrate-soul/2026-06-14/
• Maricopa Annual Juneteenth Festival: 2-6 p.m. June 13 at Central Arizona College Maricopa Campus, Building A, 17945 N. Regent Drive in Maricopa. Free entry and parking. There will be food, family-friendly entertainment, a DJ, raffle prizes and more among the indoor/outdoor event.

June 14

• Arizona Historical Society: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 14 at Embassy Suites Tempe, 4400 S. Rural Road in Tempe. Fifth annual Juneteenth celebration has themes of resilience in education, migration and family featuring Black broadcasting history, performances, a panel discussion and lunch. Food is on a first-come, first-srved basis during the lunch hour.

June 18

• East Valley Juneteenth Eve Celebration: 6-9 p.m. June 18 at The Post, 26 Macdonald in Mesa. Zen Nights is hosting the annual event indoors for the community gathering featuring stories, music and food. There will be outdoor access to the Neon Garden. See: downtownmesa.com
• Mercados & Melodies: 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 18, at Avondale Civic Center Amphitheater and City Hall Building, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. The Juneteenth celebration features local vendors, live performances, dancing, food, face painting and more. Scheduled events are: DJ Trauma performs at 6:30 and 8 p.m., 7 p.m. National Anthems; 7:15 p.m. Sound of Steel.

June 19

• Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Block Party: 7-11 p.m. June 19 at CenterPoint Plaza. Free family-friendly celebration featuring music, food, and cultural activities. Roller skating with Zoni Girls will be at a pop-up roller rink; storytellers on the Porch hosted by The Shoes Off Podcast will have live conversations, guest speakers and community panels; lie art studio with artists creating during the night; market featuring Black owned businesses, creators and organizations; dance battles by Furious Styles; a photo booth and more.
• The 3rd Annual Family Reunion: Juneteenth Celebration: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 19 at Walter Where? House, 702 N 21st Ave., Phoenix. Community-focused event hosted by BlackNet AZ, offering 12 hours of freedom, free food, live music from Black artists, wing and dessert competitions, spades lessons and tournament, Black history and entrepreneurs, children’s yoga, games, and family activities all day; community resources, health/wellness conversations and more. Details: thejuneteenthfamilyreunion.com
• City of Goodyear 5th Annual Juneteenth Family Day: 6-10 p.m. at Goodyear High School, 17300 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear. The theme, “Homecoming,” celebrates Historically Black Colleges’ and Universities’ traditions/culture/pride/community spirit of through entertainment, education, art, and family fun. HBCU-inspired activities will featuring photo opportunities, including a mock homecoming parade float, a large HBCU logo installation showing nationwide colleges, and an interactive HBCU map for alumni and future students to share their connections and aspirations. Create personalized keepsakes at a custom tote bag station and explore Art on the Yard, featuring five Juneteenth murals commissioned by the city of Goodyear. Local artists, Prancing Panthers youth majorette dance team, and a marching band including HBCU alumni from across the country will perform a traditional HBCU homecoming, along with the Divine Nine members. Children can also create personal Father’s Day cards onsite. The first 500 fathers in attendance get a commemorative event pin. See: goodyearaz.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/special-events.
• Building Freedom. Honoring History. Inspiring the Future: 4-7 p.m. June 19 at Casa Grande Community Recreation Center, 1905 N. Pearl Roaod, Casa Grande. Black Maricopa Chamber of Commerce will host a the family-friendly event, featuring card tables, family games, children’s books, art stations, a DJ, line dancing, food trucks and more.

June 20

• 6th Annual RYBE Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: 6-11 p.m. June 20, at Arizona Center, 455 N 3rd Street in downtown Phoenix. The family-friendly large festival will have music and cultural programming to celebrate freedom, unity, and community with food, arts, and live performances featuring singers, steppers, a community wall and more. There will be Black authors, community engagement and resources. Free. See: eventbrite.com and search Rep Your Brand Enterprise events.
• 13th Annual Juneteenth Celebration: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20 at Tempe History Museum, 809 E Southern Ave., Tempe. The African American Advisory Committee will host free family-friendly hands-on activities, performances, community resources, story time to educate the community and celebrate freedom from enslavement in the U.S. activities. Police and fire vehicles will be on display with food trucks and more. Details: tempe.gov/juneteenth
• AZ Rhythm & Jazz Fest: 12-5 p.m. June 20 at Performing Arts Center, 1375 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix. Live music and vendors. Fee. See: theplatformmediagroup.com
• The Culture Juneteenth Family Celebration: 3-11 p.m. June 20 at Hermoso Park, 2030 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix. Celebrate culture, freedom, community, music and family fun. Vendors, food trucks, a bartender, car show, face painting, train rides, balloon characters, bounce houses, gel blaster course and more will be on site. Email Ashley at city2cityfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call 480-780-9925 for more information or questions. Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/1990056819518?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Queen Creek Juneteenth Jubilee: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. June 20 at Desert Mountain Park, 22201 S. Hawes Road, Queen Creek. Juneteenth in the East Valley features comedy, song, dance, and a live Juneteenth play. Free. Juneteenth T-shirt will be for sale. See: queencreekjuneteenth.com

Delarita Ford
Lead Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Meet Delarita
Delarita Ford originally joined Independent Newspapers Incorporated, now Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA in 1997, as a general assignment reporter for the Delaware State News daily paper after starting her journalism career in Maryland in 1994, where she honed her skills by writing obituaries, covering community news from births to deaths, education to legislation and more. As a reporter, she has had the opportunity to cover sitting and former U.S. presidential visits in Baltimore, Delaware, and Arizona.

Community: One of the few seasoned journalists who still enjoys covering community events, she can be found with a reporter’s pad taking notes, her phone taking pictures while capturing life’s moments to memorialize them in print for the local newspapers and for the active-adult community where she lives. She maintains a presence with the Black media and the National Association of Black Journalists to encourage peers, socialize, and mentor younger writers.

Education: Life learner who learns from life. Aside from the collegiate education received, she got the best training from on-the-job experience with former editors who went through copy with a red pen and demanded the best writing for hard news and feature stories. 

Random Fact: While a Delaware State News reporter, she could call then Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, usually late at night if a quote or input was needed for varying topics, including legislation and education.

Hobbies: Adopt rescue dogs and give them a nice home. Continuously read and critique news stories from various platforms.