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Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival
The City of Brotherly Love celebrates freedom, community and culture during the massive Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival in West Philadelphia.
The annual festival, launched locally in 2016, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States — specifically, June 19, 1865, when the last group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news that they were free.
What began with a ceremony and procession near The President’s House — the site of the Philadelphia home where President George Washington once held enslaved Africans — has grown into one of the largest daylong celebrations in the country, drawing crowds of over 25,000 and more than 250 vendors.
The festivities include parade floats, a music festival, an art marketplace and a carnival-inspired children’s village with plenty of family activities.
The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival takes place on June 18, 2023.
The 2023 Juneteenth Parade & Festival is a daylong celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The celebration features a major parade down 52nd Street, as well as a music festival, a vendor marketplace and a children’s village.
Parade
The 2023 Juneteenth Parade runs from noon to 2 p.m., starting at the intersection of North 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, flowing down 52nd Street, and ending at the western tip of Malcolm X Park on 52nd and Larchwood Streets.
Parade marchers include members of nonprofit organizations, musicians, dancers, youth groups and more. Expect plenty of live music, elaborate floats (including one dedicated to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop) and other can’t-miss performances along the two-mile route.
— Photo courtesy Juneteenth Parade & Festival
After the parade, stick around the area of Malcolm X Park for more festivities.
Music Festival
The Juneteenth Music Festival kicks off at the performance stage at South 52nd Street and Larchwood Avenue and goes from 3 to 7 p.m.
The 2023 lineup includes legendary rapper Fatman Scoop, singer and radio personality Lil Mo, and DJ Cupid (yes, the DJ Cupid).
Marketplace
Throughout the day (from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) over 250 Black- and Brown-owned businesses, vendors, nonprofits, and Philly entrepreneurs fill Malcolm X Park with locally produced treats, artwork, clothing, accessories and more.
The Juneteenth Marketplace also features free food giveaways, free yoga classes, an Art in the Park painting party and a variety of other free activities.
Children’s Village
There’s plenty for the kiddos, too. From 2 to 7 p.m., immediately following the parade, a section of Malcolm X Park transforms into a dedicated Juneteeth Children’s Village. Families can look forward to a carnival, kids’ games, arts and crafts activities, face painting, photo booths and more.
As one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the country — and with thousands of expected attendees — public transportation is your best friend. During the festivities, street parking throughout the neighborhood will be limited and stretches of 52nd Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Luckily, transit routes like SEPTA’s 21 bus and the Market-Frankford Line’s 52nd Street Station subway stop leave you just steps away from the parade and Malcolm X Park.
Active types can also take advantage of the Indego bike rental stations nearby (including one right at Malcolm X Park).
For more information on the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival, click the button below.
The party doesn’t stop there. The Greater Philadelphia area offers many ways to celebrate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Celebration outside the Johnson House Historic Site in Germantown — Photo courtesy Johnson House Historic Site
Along with West Philadelphia’s huge parade and festival, you can find celebrations in areas like the historic Germantown neighborhood and Chester County, as well as events at attractions and venues like The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens, the Betsy Ross House and more.
Click the button below for more Juneteenth events and celebrations across the city and region.
Guide to Juneteenth in Greater Philly
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?
Festivals, music performances, art showcases, historical reenactments and much more...