Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

Free Community Day

Penn Museum

Saturday, Jun. 15, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm ET

Free and Open to the Public

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Juneteenth—commemorating the end of slavery in the United States—is a day to celebrate freedom, heritage, and community.

Bring the whole family for a festival filled with joyful performance, live DJ sets, captivating storytelling, and hands-on activities for all ages. Support Black-owned businesses at a community marketplace or grab a bite from locally owned food trucks.

Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Choose your entry time to explore the event and galleries at your own pace. Walk up registration will be available.

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Juneteenth Honors Program

2:00–4:00 pm

In collaboration with our community partner, Forum Philly, we proudly present our 2nd annual Juneteenth Honors Program, spotlighting the achievements of Philadelphia K-12 students and educators who have participated in Juneteenth-related programming and projects in their schools.

Keynote Address by Dr. Khalid Mumin, Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Mistress of Ceremony: Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of News & Community Affairs at Philadelphia iHeartMedia

A Day of Celebration

A mosaic of a bulldozer tearing down a neighborhood.

Music & Dance

Event host Starfire, DJ Aura, West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad, and line dancing with Kenny J

Workshops and Hands-On Activities

Drumming with Karen Smith, quilt-making with Carla Wiley, and Adinkra art-making

Pop-Up Exhibitions

#ForTheCulture Community conversation and Diaspora DNA Pop-up exhibition, curated by Monica O. Mongomery, and learn about West Philadelphia Community Archaeology project Heritage West

Storytelling

Auntie Jo Jo and Black Boys Makin’ Noise storytelling group

Community Fair

Support Black-owned business and explore a community fair spotlighting local organizations focused on health and wellness

Eat & Drink

Food trucks like Pot of Essence and Blueish Bakes with sweet and savory fare for purchase and the Museum Café is open from 10 am–3 pm

Schedule of Events*

10:45 am	Welcoming Remarks, Artistic Expressions	Stoner Courtyard
11:15 am	West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad	Stoner Courtyard
11:45 am	Storytelling: Black Boys Makin’ Noise	Rainey Auditorium
12:15 pm	Storytelling with Auntie Jo Jo	Stoner Courtyard
12:15 pm	Juneteenth: Exploring Freedom’s Stories Film Screening and Talkback with Ismael Jiminez	Rainey Auditorium
12:45 pm	Quilt Workshop with Carla Wiley (space is limited)	Classroom M3
1:00 pm	Karen Smith Drummers Workshop	Stoner Courtyard
1:00 pm	#ForTheCulture Community Conversation with Monica O. Montgomery, Part 1	Classroom L2
2:00 pm	Forum Philly Juneteenth Honors Program	Harrison Auditorium
2:00 pm	Storytelling with Auntie Jo Jo	Stoner Courtyard
2:30 pm	R&B Line Dancing with Kenny J	Stoner Courtyard
3:00 pm	#ForTheCulture Community Conversation with Monica O. Montgomery, Part 2	Classroom L2
3:30 pm	Juneteenth: Exploring Freedom’s Stories Film Screening	Rainey Auditorium
Hourly	Book Giveaway: Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance by Mia Ba	Stoner Courtyard
12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm	Daily Dig	Various Galleries
ALL DAY	Diaspora DNA Pop-Up Exhibition	Classroom L2
	Sensory-Friendly Space	Classroom L3
	Marketplace with food trucks and retail vendors	Stoner Courtyard
	Community Resource Fair	Stoner Courtyard
	Heritage West: A West Philadelphia Community Archaeology Project	Stoner Courtyard

*Subject to change.