Juneteenth is on Monday, June 19, commemorating the day in 1865 when institutional slavery was abolished in the US, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
This week marks two years since Juneteenth was announced as a federal holiday — the first national holiday to be signed into law since MLK Day in 1983.
None of this would have been possible without Fort Worth’s own Opal Lee — AKA the Grandmother of Juneteenth — who worked tirelessly to bring national recognition to the historic day.
On June 19, 2025, the National Juneteenth Museum — another one of Opal’s missions — will open in the Historic Southside and serve as an epicenter for the preservation of Juneteenth history.
But until then, we’ve pulled eight ways you can commemorate Juneteenth in Fort Worth.
President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021 with Opal Lee standing by his side. | Photo courtesy of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Saturday, June 17
Juneteenth Parade of Freedom | Sycamore Park
The parade starts at 12 p.m., followed by a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, art exhibits, gaming competitions, and a kid’s zone.
3rd Annual Juneteenth Commem-ART-ration | Como Community Center
Express yourself through painting, spoken word, or Afrobeat dancing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bill Pickett Rodeo | Cowtown Coliseum
The invitational rodeo showcases Black Western heritage and the significance of Black cowboys + cowgirls. Show times are at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth | Fort Worth Public Library - Northside
Join community members at 3 p.m. to learn about the Grandmother of Juneteenth and create our own Juneteenth flags.
Juneteenth: Then & Now | Fort Worth Public Library - Ella Mae Shamblee
Stop by the library at 1 p.m. to hear a presentation by Donald Payton — renowned genealogist, historian, and civil rights activist — as he tells stories about the early history of Juneteenth.
Celebrate Freedom Day with Opal Lee. | Photo by @darryl2golden
Sunday, June 18
Juneteenth Jubilee | Texas Wesleyan University
The free event starting at 2 p.m. will feature African dancers, a bounce house, a fashion show, and local vendors, and a live art auction.
Monday, June 19
Opal Lee’s Walk for Freedom | Evans Plaza
Walk with Opal Lee for her annual 2.5-mile walk, recognizing the 2.5 years it took for freedom to reach all enslaved people in the US.
Juneteenth at the Garden | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Honor the holiday with a stroll in the garden and enjoy free admission from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
