Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Kansas City

Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has been celebrated since the late 1800s. Celebrate with others in the community at many events taking place around the Kansas City metro.

Juneteenth at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center (June 10)

Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival at 18th and Vine (June 17)

Saturday, June 17, noon – 9 p.m.

Kansas City’s OFFICIAL celebration of African American pride and culture returns to 18th and Vine. In addition to music performances on the main stage and blues area, special entertainment includes the KC Aerialist, Stone Lion Giant Puppets, face painters, balloon artists, story tellers, an outdoor skate rink and more. Learn more.

Juneteenth Overland Park (June 17)

Saturday, June 17, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

See the parade, watch performances, visit stores and vendor booths, and participate in fun family-friendly activities. Juneteenth Overland Park is also very excited to have local personalities as a part of the festivities! The stage will be located near the Museum at Prairie Fire. Vendor booths will be along Accesss Road. In case of rain, activities will be moved inside the museum.

Juneteenth in Prairie Village (June 17)

Saturday, June 17, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The annual, free event offers the opportunity to enjoy a late afternoon and early evening of food, drink and fun featuring music from the band Funk Syndicate. A variety of activities for the whole family will be available, including face painting, balloon artists, arts and crafts, games and inflatables. Several Black-owned vendors will be on-hand at the event.

This event is sponsored by:  STAND-Up for Black Lives+ PV, PV Diversity Committee, JCNAACP and Village Church. Free parking is available at the Shawnee Mission East lot off of Mission Road, the PV Pool lot off Delmar, Mission Bible Church and Community of Christ Church.

Juneteenth Observance in Johnson County (June 19)

Johnson County Government will hold its second annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons (17101 W. 87th St, Lenexa).

Plans for the program include keynote speaker Jessica McCallop-McClellan, emcee Nathan Louis Jackson, live music from the Louis Neal Big Band, comments from Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly, and more. At the event, the public can engage with staff representing various county programs and services, purchase food and beverages from the Lenexa Public Market and park for free.

Juneteenth Celebration at Olathe Public Library (June 19)

June 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the day the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Find a full schedule here.

Sarah McGinnity
Sarah grew up in Manhattan, Kansas (Go Cats!), she moved to Minnesota where she met her husband, Shea. Realizing how much she hated snow in May, she convinced him to move to Kansas City in 2010. Together they have lived in Midtown, Waldo, the Plaza, and now Overland Park. Sarah is mom to 10-year-old, Henry, 7-year-old Clark and 5-year-old Lucy. She has her master’s in urban administration and is passionate about making Kansas City a more equitable and supportive community. In between the crazy, she likes to drink coffee, run, hike, travel as much as possible, and experience all things Kansas City!