Suburbs honor Juneteenth with celebrations, festivals
Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Here are a few of the events planned to celebrate the day in the suburbs.
Saturday, June 14
Juneteenth celebration: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Santori Library, 101 S. River St., Aurora. DIY Bracelet & Suncatcher program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. “Freedom Songs: The Music of Black History” with Bright Star Touring Theatre from 1 to 2 p.m. Strawberries BBQ Food Truck will be outside the library from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Community Voices” exhibit showcasing stories from Aurora’s African American community will be on display in the John C. Dunham Atrium through June. aurorapubliclibrary.org/events.
Naperville Juneteenth Celebration: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Rotary Hill, Naperville. Hosted by Naperville Neighbors United, the event highlights diversity with music and performances by African American individuals and groups. Food trucks on site. Bring a chair or a blanket, as well as your dancing shoes. Free. Register: NNUjuneteenth2025.eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Community Unity Celebration: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie. Live performances by Corey Bless and Tony Garrett, line dancing with Roz, support local Black-owned business vendors, explore community resources, and purchase food from local vendors such as Babito’s Bites, Soul Good Coffee and Koala’s Kitchen. Free admission. skokieunited.org.
24th annual Juneteenth Celebration: 2:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 51 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora. Hosted by African American Men of Unity, the event includes live music, poetry, storytelling, Black history tributes, double Dutch, food and craft vendors, games, prizes, 3-on-3 basketball and more. Free. facebook.com/AuroraAAHAB.
Monday, June 16
Juneteenth Celebration: 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 16, in the Cary Area Public Library meeting room, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Hosted by McHenry County NOW, the event includes music, food samplings and community. Free. Register: eventbrite.com.
Wednesday, June 18
Bolingbrook Juneteenth Music Festival: 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, behind Town Center, 375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook. Music by Fernando Jones Trio from 6-7 p.m. and The Hurricane Project from 7:30-9 p.m. Silent disco, kids’ tents with arts and crafts, spades tournament with prizes, food trucks and local food. Community marketplace featuring Black-owned and local businesses, free health and wellness services, giveaways and more. Free. bolingbrook.gov.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth Summer Jam: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Carpenter Park, 351 Carpenter Blvd., Carpentersville. A day of unity, reflection and joy with music, games, food and guest speakers, with support from District 300 and the Fox Valley Conference Black Youth Coalition. Free. facebook.com/300annualjuneteenth.
Aurora’s Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony: 1-2 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at One Aurora Plaza, 8 E. Galena, Aurora. aurora-il.org/2413/Flag-Raisings.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom Walk in Grayslake: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Grayslake Area Public Library District, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. View a Civil Rights documentary on the Mobile Museum of Tolerance bus, see the library’s collection of Juneteenth materials, dance to music, journey on the Freedom Walk through Central Park, hear and read facts, dine on snacks, and end at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum to add your hand print to a community art project, view a pop-up Juneteenth exhibit and learn from keynote speaker Sam Cunningham. Free. grayslakevillagecenter.com.
Glen Ellyn Juneteenth Celebration: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Peoples Community Church, 670 S. Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn. Hosted by the church and the Glen Ellyn Interfaith Prayer Foundation. Celebrate the culture of African Americans and Juneteenth through food, music and ceremony. pcc-onlinechurch.org/.
Gospel Celebration “Lift Ev’ry Voice”: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Gail Borden Public Library outdoor stage, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Elgin Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and local gospel church choirs come together in song and spirit to celebrate Juneteenth. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners. Food trucks on site. Free. Register: gailborden.info.
Seeking Freedom: The True Story of Sara Lucy Bagby and the Fugitive Slave Act: Virtually at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19. In honor of Juneteenth, join the Lake Bluff Library on Zoom for a special program celebrating Black American history. Robin Pease of Women in History will portray Sara Lucy Bagby and share the powerful story of her flight from slavery to freedom. Event URL will be sent via the registration email. Free. lakeblufflibrary.org.
Juneteenth celebration: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Wing Park bandshell, 1010 Wing St., Elgin. Part of Elgin’s festivities honoring freedom, culture and community. Joe Pratt and the Source One Band offer an evening of soul, blues. Concession vending begins at 6:30 p.m. Free. elginil.gov/juneteenth.
Friday, June 20
Celebrating Juneteenth! "Soul": Dusk Friday, June 20, at Wing Park bandshell, 1010 Wing St., Elgin. Part of Elgin’s festivities honoring freedom, culture and community. The Family Night at Wing Park will show the 2020 Pixar film “Soul.” Family activities being at 6 p.m., including popcorn, lawn games, concessions by a local nonprofit vendor, free kids activities and the School of Rock’s instrument zoo. Free. elginil.gov/juneteenth.
Saturday, June 21
Evanston’s Sixth Annual Juneteenth Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, stepping off at Lee and Dodge, behind the Robert Crown Branch Library, 1801 Main St., Evanston. Parade concludes at Ingraham Park, 2100 Ridge Ave., in back of the Evanston Civic Center. A celebration of freedom, culture and community to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth. Performances from the South Shore Drill team, Jesse White Tumblers and more. Free. kemonehendricks.com/juneteenth-celebrations.
Hanover Park Juneteenth Celebration: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Hanover Park Sports Complex, 1200 Sycamore, Hanover Park. Hosted by the Hanover Park Sister Cities Committee. Music by the Funk Brothers and Maestro DJ Mix; guest speaker Michael Childress; 40+ Double Dutch Inc.; food and ice cream truck by Good News in the Neighborhood Church; games and more. Free. Facebook or hpil.org.
Juneteenth Lake County Parade & Festival: 1 p.m. Saturday, June 21, near 14 S. Genesee St., Waukegan. Parade features the Elite Striders Drill Team & Drum Corps, South Shore Drill Team, local school marching bands, low riders, motorcycles, Mr. and Ms. Juneteenth and more. Free. waukeganil.gov.
Juneteenth in the Burbs!: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Harper College, Kenneth & Catherine Ender Pavilion, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Features a live jazz band, youth talent showcase, indoor Freedom Exhibit, free books written by Black authors, free food, human foosball, poetry, and opportunities to engage with Black-owned professionals and businesses. Free. icu-community.org/community.
McHenry County Juneteenth Celebration: 3-5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Center for the Arts, 690 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock. Third annual celebration of freedom and unity with a special program by Stev Walker and the Artistas Da Capoeira Woodstock troupe, the vocals of Darlene Benton, and learn about McHenry County’s connection to the Underground Railroad with Gloria Van Hof and Pam Althoff. Enjoy catered soul food by Chef Joanne Thomas, local exhibitors and activities for all ages. Free. Register via mchenrycountyjuneteenth.com.
Sunday, June 22
Juneteenth: Road to Freedom Commemoration: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York St., Elmhurst. Southern comfort food from Aunt Tina’s Kitchen, music by the Evon Sams jazz combo and a community service project. Hear from guest speaker Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City. Silent auction for homemade Underground Railroad themed-quilts and quilt art. All proceeds will go to My Block My Hood My City. umcelmhurst.org.
Famous Black Composers Concert: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Lords Park Zoo, 325 Hiawatha Drive, Elgin. Juneteenth Week concert by the Octavio Serrano Quartet. Also on exhibit is a poster display of noteworthy Black Elginites from June 19-25. elginil.gov.