Juneteenth Celebration Planned At African American Museum

PHILADELPHIA — Saturday is Juneteenth and across the nation people will celebrate the liberation of the last enslaved people 156 years ago. And the African American Museum in Philadelphia will host a Juneteenth Celebration to commemorate the holiday with a full-day, free outdoor event.

In partnership with Wawa Welcome America and Visit Philadelphia, the all-day event will kick off Philadelphia’s annual July 4th festivities and will mark the launch of a special series of events and activities that will honor Juneteenth and explore its connection to July 4th, entitled Freedom-Liberty:1776 – 1865.

The museum's Juneteenth Celebration will feature educational activities for youth and families, tasty bites and handmade wares sold by local vendors, and a live stage featuring performances by Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Nina “Lyrispect” Ball, Aijee, Drum Like a Lady, Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, and V. Shayne Frederick.

In addition to the Juneteenth Celebration, AAMP will also offer free, timed admission to the museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., courtesy Wawa. Advance registration for museum admission will be required and is available online here.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, dating back to June 19, 1865. On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a new national holiday, the first time this has happened in nearly 40 years.