Juneteenth 2025: Where to celebrate with food, music, exhibits and more

Indianapolis Star

13-06-2025

Several organizations around Indianapolis have plans to carry forward the spirit, history and legacy of Juneteenth across the next week.
The holiday observed June 19 dates back to 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned they had been freed two years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Since then, many Black communities have celebrated the day, and in 2021, it became a federal holiday.
To honor the day, here are several events that include art-making, videos, food, music and dance.
Noon-7 p.m. June 21. Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St. indyjuneteenth.org
The Indy Juneteenth parade was canceled this year, but organizers have invited the performers scheduled for the parade to play the fairgrounds celebration. The event will include a wellness circle, sip and paint as well as food and small business vendors.
Indy Juneteenth will also include the following events:
June 20-22. Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave. madamwalkerlegacycenter.com
Three days of celebrations include the following highlights:
4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. June 13. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. Free. $20 early access pass. bhpsite.org/events/juneteenth
After he took office, President Benjamin Harrison hired Black chef and caterer Dolly Johnson, who ended up cooking for four U.S. presidents. The event will include re-enactments from Freetown Village as well as a slate of menu items that show contributions of Black cooks on American cuisine.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 14. Indianapolis Public Library's Center for Black Literature and Culture, 40 E. St. Clair St. tinyurl.com/44d99s5x
The center will host an author fair, activities and music by Nu Destiny Christian Church Choir. Tickets to the moderated conversation with librarian Mychal Threets are sold out.
6 p.m.-8 p.m. June 19. Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave. RSVP for free tickets. indianalandmarks.org
Indiana Landmarks' event will celebrate the impact of Black-built spaces like Lyles Station, Weaver Settlement, Gary Roosevelt High School, Allen Chapel AME and the Madam Walker Theatre. Poet and scholar Lasana Kazembe will give the keynote speech, and a panel will discuss spiritual, mental, emotional and financial resilience.
5 p.m.-8 p.m. June 19. Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. Free. connerprairie.org/juneteenth
Black-owned businesses, food vendors, a kids' zone, bounce houses, face painting and opportunities to learn about Black Americans' contributions will round out the event. Organizers include Fishers High School's Future Black Leaders Club, community members and the Fishers Arts Council.
Conner Prairie also will have free admission during the day June 19.
4 p.m.-8 p.m. June 19. 10 Carter Green in Carmel. Free. instagram.com/carmeljuneteenth
The event will highlight Black-owned businesses and showcase artists and musicians.
June 19. Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, 543 Indiana Ave. Free admission. RSVP at vonnegutlibrary.org/events. Free admission at the museum.
5 p.m. June 20. Crispus Attucks Museum, 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. Free with RSVP at vonnegutlibrary.org/events
Author and journalist Paul Hendrickson; Eunice Trotter, Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame member; Robert Chester, curator of the Crispus Attucks Museum; and Julia Whitehead, Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library founder, will discuss journalism's part in chronicling and impacting the Black experience in the U.S. After the discussion, people can see the grand opening of "Roots & Routes: African Americans and the World," which explores Black resistance and imagination across the globe.
4 p.m.-8 p.m. June 21. Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8950 Otis Ave. Free. artsforlawrence.org
Artists showing handmade work, food vendors, activities and live music will be at this event hosted by Arts for Lawrence.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21. Eiteljorg Museum, 500 West Washington St. Free. eiteljorg.org/juneteenth
Over the course of the day, the Eiteljorg will host jazz music, storytelling, a percussion group and a reading by Shonda Buchanan from her book about singer, songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone.
4 p.m.-8 p.m. June 22. Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St. Free. facebook.com/crownhill.org
Bring chairs to enjoy musical performances by Alaina Renae, Peyton Womock & Friends, and more as well as food trucks and vendors selling goods.
'Painting the community:' John Hardrick's art chronicled 20th-century Black cultural life
Admission to these institutions is free on the following days in honor of Juneteenth:
Newfields: June 19. Spoken word and reflections, wellness activities and art-making. Advance tickets required. discovernewfields.org/events-exhibitions/Juneteenth
Indiana Historical Society: June 21. Crafts, videos and more will celebrate African Americans' contributions. indianahistory.org
Indiana State Museum: and Historic Sites: June 21. Exhibits, like John Wesley Hardrick's "Through the Eyes of an Artist"; the documentary "Major Taylor: Champion of the Race"; dancers; drummers; musicians; and more. indianamuseum.org
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