CLEVELAND (June 7, 2023) – As summer begins and the Juneteenth holiday approaches, opportunities abound for locals to learn about the city’s Black culture, important contributors and Cleveland’s role in bringing slaves to freedom. Clevelanders can commemorate the 1865 emancipation of enslaved Africans in the United States at an array of festivals, cultural events and historic sites.
Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest (June 16-17): Now in its third year, the MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest expands to two days in 2023. The free celebration kicks off Friday with fireworks over Downtown Cleveland at sundown. On Saturday, a family-friendly celebration on Mall C will feature performances from Karamu House, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute and Hubbs Groove. The event also includes interactive art demonstrations, roller-skating, and a Vendor Village and Soul Food Row spotlighting Black businesses. Full details are available online.
Juneteenth at Dunham Tavern (June 10): MidTown Cleveland will host a free Juneteenth Celebration at the historic Dunham Tavern Museum. The community-driven event will promote unity through music, dancing, spoken word poetry and other performances. There will also be arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities.
Juneteenth Gospel Performance & Panel (June 15): Hosted on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Union Home Mortgage Plaza, this event will feature a performance from The Christian Brothers along with a panel discussion about gospel music’s influence on rock and roll. The event is free but requires tickets to be reserved in advance.
Juneteenth African Dance & Drum Fest (June 17-18): Presented by Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, this weekend-long event celebrates Juneteenth through art, music, dance, history and culture. Guest instructors will teach a variety of traditional African dance styles in classes held June 17 and 18 at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance & Expression. Saturday night’s inaugural “Juneteenth Night of Unity” will offer an evening of reflection, remembrance and celebration. More information and registration are available online.
Mx. Juneteenth: A Black & Queer Liberation Celebration (June 17): Mx. Juneteenth celebrates freedom and community with an event at BLK PunX Press Studio. The celebration will feature live music, drag performances, local vendors and educational workshops all while providing a liberatory space and environment of respect for all attendees. Admission is donation-based and can be secured online.
Cozad-Bates House (open Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.): The only surviving pre-Civil War structure in University Circle, the Cozad-Bates House is home to an interpretive center focusing on the neighborhood’s history during the abolitionist movement. Residents can tour the center on Saturdays or walk the grounds at the house any time. The outdoor space offers art and educational signage highlighting the local people and places of the Underground Railroad.
###
ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. In 2021, visitation to Cuyahoga County rebounded to 16.1 million visits, a 17% increase after the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent in 2020. Destination Cleveland continues its work to rebuild the travel and tourism industry, with the goal of exceeding pre-pandemic success as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.