Organizers of Indy Juneteenth confirmed the annual parade will not take place this year.
In an announcement delivered on April 28, Indy Juneteenth cited “unforeseen circumstances” for halting the parade and acknowledged community disappointment.
“We share your frustration, as this celebration holds deep meaning for Indianapolis and Indiana,” the group stated on its official Facebook page.
All other Juneteenth events will continue as planned, including the festival at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Miss Indy Juneteenth Pageant, the Punches For Purpose Boxing Showcase and a collaboration with the Indiana Fever.
A fireworks display will be the culmination of the Indy Juneteenth celebration.
Organizers emphasized their focus on growth, calling the 2025 lineup “stronger than ever” and urging supporters to “honor the spirit of Juneteenth together.”
The parade’s hiatus allows time to “reimagine logistics and community engagement,” according to the announcement.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom. Indianapolis hosted its annual celebration in 2018, drawing thousands to cultural performances, vendors and educational activities.
The 2026 Indy Juneteenth Parade will feature “new partnerships and expanded participation,” though specifics remain uncertain.
“We’re committed to making the wait worthwhile,” organizers said.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
