Juneteenth in Indianapolis promises to bring a variety of community celebrations, including food, music, fireworks and cultural displays.
Whether you’re looking for a block party, festival or parade, these Indianapolis organizations are all set to celebrate emancipation. The Recorder compiled a list of some of the Juneteenth events in and around Indianapolis celebrating the holiday’s history and cultural impact.
This story will be updated at Indianapolisrecorder.com.
Juneteenth Jamboree
June 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.
The annual Juneteenth Jamboree is back, featuring family-friendly activities, live performances, local artists and vendors, and community resources. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required.
childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/event/160
Juneteenth Foodways Festival
June 12, 4:30-8 p.m.
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St.
The 5th annual Juneteenth Foodways Festival invites the community to taste, celebrate and explore Black food and dessert staples, honoring the impact former White House Chef Dolly Johnson had on American cuisine and Black-owned businesses.
bhpsite.org/events/juneteenth-foodways
CBLC Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration
June 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
The Center for Black Literature and Culture presents its 9th annual Book Fest and Juneteenth Celebration honoring history, arts, literature and storytelling. The event is free to attend, but guests must RSVP for the keynote presentation featuring Tomi Adeyemi, author of “Children of Blood and Bone,” at 2 p.m.
indypl.org/programs-events/cblc-book-fest
6th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee
June 13, 4-8 p.m.
Arts for Lawrence, Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave.
Arts for Lawrence invites Hoosiers to celebrate freedom, heritage and community through live music, local vendors, artists, food trucks, crafts and activities for the whole family. The event is free to attend.
artsforlawrence.org/events-1/6th-annual-juneteenth-jubilee
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Connection
June 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Eiteljorg Museum, featuring a variety of activities, local artisans, and performances, including the Be On It Band and Alaina Renae, a community drum circle by SITEAW, jump rope and modern dance by Neo Griot Collab, Roller Skate Indy, Patrice Stokes and more. The event is free to attend, with performances ending at 3 p.m.
Juneteenth Block Party
June 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ujamaa Community Bookstore, 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Flanner House welcomes the community to celebrate Juneteenth alongside its community bookstore’s 5th anniversary, featuring a free street festival with food, literature, poetry, music, art and more.
instagram.com/ujamaacommunitybookstore/p/DYMpkKQDo-B/
Juneteenth Celebration
June 19, 5-9 p.m.
Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave.
In honor of Juneteenth, Indiana Landmarks is hosting a free screening of “Mosiah,” an independent historical short film about Marcus Garvey’s 1923 mail fraud trial, followed by a panel discussion with Steven Golding, Jeff Stoebel, Ronald J. Stephens and Ebony Chappel. The post-presentation celebration at 7:30 p.m. is $25 and includes food, drinks, dancing and music from Alaina Renae.
indianalandmarks.org/event/juneteenth-celebration
Indy Juneteenth Parade and Festival
June 20, 4 p.m.
Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1202 E. 38th St.
The Indy Juneteenth Parade is back, kicking off at 42nd St. and complete with DJs, bands and a float contest. The festival, which is free to attend, is set to include more than 200 vendors, food trucks, live music, a kids’ zone, a health and wellness village and a fireworks display.
Block Party, Legacy Fest 2026
June 20, 1-7 p.m.
Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
Featuring a day filled with live music, food trucks, local vendors, games and activities for the whole family, the 2026 Legacy Fest Block Party invites the community to celebrate Juneteenth and Black Music Month on Indiana Avenue.
madamwalkerlegacycenter.com/events/block-party-legacy-fest-2026/
Emancipated: A Juneteenth Celebration
June 20, noon to 5 p.m.
Mt. Carmel Church, 9610 E. 42nd St.
The 4th annual Emancipated Juneteenth event is bringing together families, local businesses and community leaders on the Far Eastside to celebrate culture, history and unity through food trucks, vendors, live gospel music and cultural experiences.
Please note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
