Check out the ‘Juneteenth Wellness & Arts Festival,’ a lively community celebration of cultural arts, wellness, and education, at Cherry Street Pier. See the ‘Highlighting History & Health’ event entry below. Photo courtesy of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc.
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
— Desmond Tutu, South African Bishop & Theologian (1931-2021)
The lineup of entertainment is all about puttin’ the June in Juneteenth! Check out the variety of free or low-cost activities celebrating the national holiday, as well as the ongoing America250 initiative recognizing the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Block parties, museum excursions, wellness retreats, and films – all in the name of history, community and culture – are front and center.
Talk Focuses on the American Birth of a State & Nation
Thursday, June 18, 2026. Scholar Christopher Pearl, author of Conceived in Crisis: The Revolutionary Creation of an American State, will take a deep dive into the state of Pennsylvania’s radical birth just days before Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in the public discussion of Conceived in Crisis: Pennsylvania in 1776. Pearl is Professor and Chair of History at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. It will be perfect timing for the ongoing America250 celebration. The Pennsylvania Provincial Conference was held June 18–25, 1776, at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia. Delegates from the then 10 Pennsylvania counties and the City of Philadelphia agreed to declare Pennsylvania’s independence from the British. The move created the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; mobilized the Pennsylvania militia for the American Revolutionary War, and organized elections to pick delegates to a state constitutional convention, which framed the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776.
The conference impacted American public opinion, leading to the passing of the Declaration of Independence a few days later. The 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution was innovative and included a Declaration of Rights before the Bill of Rights was born, and a provision that voters did not need to own property. Check out original rare manuscripts from the Provincial Conference in a pop-up display. Also, view the exhibit Paths To Independence, 1765-1787, which includes notable founding documents like the only known printer’s proof of the Declaration of Independence.
Free. 6:30 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St. Email: programs@hsp.org, 215-732-6200 or https://hsp.org/calendar/conceived-crisis-pennsylvania-1776
Museum & Welcome America Honor 50-year Milestone
Friday June 19, 2026. The annual 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival will kick off with Juneteenth Block Party & Free Museum Day at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. With the theme Juneteenth Jubilee. It will be an all-out celebration of freedom and culture to mark the museum’s 50th anniversary. Enjoy live musical performances by headliners DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh & Leah Jenea, with Patty Jackson & DJ Doc B. Catch the vibe on four stages of performances by the Marian Anderson Scholar Artists and Choral Ensemble, West Powelton Steppers, Leese B, Verse Mega, Amari Rebel & The Movement, Code Grey, and Living Arts Dance Team.
Check out the Jazz Tunnel featuring live performances by a 15-piece jazz band, a relaxing jazz lounge, and the food trucks. Go to PECO Kids Zone of inflatable games, a rock wall with euro bungee, a video game truck, and outdoor games. Take photos at the Wawa Welcome America balloon photo op; get wellness giveaways, free water and prizes. Connect with local organizations and community resources. Get treats, courtesy of Wawa’s free smoothie giveaway and Herr’s chips, water ice from Rita’s, and nutritional takeaways from Sharing Excess. Chill with a cooling towel courtesy of Bank of America, and immerse yourself in Black history and culture with the Visit Baltimore Trailer, featuring photo moments and vinyl albums dedicated to the history of Frederick Douglass, The Afro American Ledger, Billie Holiday, and Thurgood Marshall.
Arrive early, and get into the museum free, courtesy of Wawa, and hear 15-minute “Gallery Talks” highlighting exhibits like Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” and “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 – 1876.” (Admission to the museum is on a first-come, first-served basis and based on capacity.) The event will be hosted by the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Wawa Welcome America and VISIT PHILADELPHIA®.
Free; no registration required; 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 7th and Arch streets. Email: info@aampmuseum.org, 215-574-0380 or https://www.aampmuseum.org/ or https://july4thphilly.com/event/juneteenth/
Learn About Black Legacy at Museum of the American Revolution
Weekend of June 19-21, 2026. Celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, at the Museum of the American Revolution. At the Museum – 11 talks and tours about the struggle for freedom in African-American history. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the abolition of slavery reached the deepest parts of the former Confederacy in Texas. Check out The Declaration’s Journey in the museum’s Patriots Gallery, presented by Griffin Catalyst, which explores the story and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today. Featured in the exhibition are abolitionists Lemuel Haynes, Elizabeth Freeman, and Frederick Douglass. Learn about the influence of Douglass in a 10-Minute Talk: Frederick Douglass’ Family Legacy on June 19, 4:30 p.m. EST., 5 p.m. EST, and 5:30 p.m. EST, in the museum’s Patriots Gallery.
His great-great-grandson, Kevin Douglass Greene, and a representative of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives will discuss what it means to carry on Douglass’ work and legacy in the 21st century.
$25 per ticket in advance; $27 at the door; $21 for seniors, students, teachers & military; $ 14 for kids under age 18; times vary for these Juneteenth activities. Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd St. 215-253-6731 or https://www.amrevmuseum.org/events/juneteenth-2026-at-the-museum
Featured speaker Nikole Hannah-Jones writes about racial justice. Photo courtesy of nikolehannahjones.com
Pulitzer Prize Recipient Leads Honest Talk About Race
Friday, June 19, 2026. Join Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and creator of The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, for an engaging Juneteenth Evening Conversation on Independence Mall. With the backdrop of America’s storied birthplace, explore the legacy of freedom, democracy, and the evolving fight for racial justice. Hannah-Jones, a New York Times reporter, is notable for her coverage of civil rights. In 2019, she launched a project to change how slavery in the United States was viewed; she wrote a series of articles titled The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine. Philly’s Juneteenth event will be produced along with Philadelphia250, the local initiative celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The event will be hosted by Philadelphia250 and the Independence Visitor Center.
Free, no registration required; 7 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. Independence National Historical Park, 599 Market St., Independence Mall. https://july4thphilly.com/event/juneteenth-evening-conversation/
Film Gives Early African Americans A Seat On The Bench
Friday, June 19, 2026. In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, check out a special screening of Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story, a new documentary with a compelling view about the nation’s founding. Produced by the Honorary British Consul for Greater Philadelphia, Oliver St. Clair Franklin. Becoming American explores the lives of early African-American free communities and everyday, underrepresented people. It is a candid exploration of the untold stories left out of traditional history books. Deep dive into the birth of the United States through the lens of its first capital, Philadelphia. The film will also tell the early, unfiltered story of enslaved Africans and how diverse communities shaped an upstart new nation. This Philadelphia origin story is relevant today, in light of Juneteenth and America’s 250th birthday.
Free but pre-register; screening: 11 a.m. EST; Noon: Q&A featuring film members afterwards. Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut St. https://www.becomingamericanmovie.com/events or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/becoming-american-philadelphias-story-juneteenth-screening-tickets-1990504207668?aff=oddtdtcreator
Photo courtesy of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc.
Highlighting History & Health
Saturday, June 20, 2026. Make our way to the Juneteenth Wellness & Arts Festival, a lively community celebration of cultural arts, wellness, and education. Enjoy live performances and interactive art installations. Take part in health screenings, yoga fitness sessions, and line-dancing. Sip on non-alcoholic crafted mocktails inspired by classic spirits. The event will focus on holistic wellness, featuring live performances by Lady Stout and Barbara Sheree. Browse in a marketplace of local vendors and artisans hawking food, fashion, beauty, and home goods. Hosted and produced by Shekhinah B., the event will highlight history, health and entrepreneurism.
Free admission; 1 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Columbus Blvd. Email: Info@TheWCE.org, 708-792-3462 or www.TheWCE.org/Events
Wellness Fundraiser to Support She Shines Conference
Saturday, June 20, 2026. Refresh, reset, reconnect, and renew your mind and body through self-care and sisterhood at the Birthday Wellness Fundraising Experience, benefiting the November 7th She Shines Conference, a women’s empowerment and advocacy movement. Come together in camaraderie and community for a relaxing day of women’s wellness. Enjoy a tea reception, sound bath meditation, guided nature walk & farm tour, massages, yoga, “mini-Wellness” sessions, and farm-to-table lunch. Browse a vending marketplace and be amazed at the magic of Randy Shine and the comedy of Derek Lee.
$25 to $250, or non-attendees can make a donation; 10 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. Still Rise Farms, 1494 Birch Ln., Perkasie, Pa. Email: sheshinessisterhood1@gmail.com, 267-328-4592 or bit.ly/sheshinesbirthday or https://square.link/u/6CgMW4uz or https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/birthday-wellness-fundraiser
The Black Dance Collab was inspired by icons like Judith Jamison (1943–2024), an acclaimed Philly dancer-choreographer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Event To Drum Up Dance Moves
Saturday, June 20, 2026. The drummer’s rhythm is a spiritual language that steers the dancer’s movements. The Black Dance Collab will celebrate this traditional belief and pay tribute to Philadelphia’s legendary drummers at the Sacred Conversation Between the Drummer and the Dance. Learn about the African diaspora, rhythms, and drum traditions. The program will be moderated by Benita Brown, Ed.D., with presenters Robert Kenyatta, Philly Dance and Drum Ensemble, led by Carmen Butler-Burton, & Thomas Morton. Organized by Karen Warrington and Jovida Hill, the event will be part of a series of “Black Dance Confabs”, creating engaging conversations about diversity in Black dance, while providing visibility for aspiring dance artists. It will not only be a conversation, it will be participatory too; dust off your dance photos, dance shoes, tutus and African wraps to show off your dance moves.
2 p.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST at Parkway Central Library /Skyline Room (4th fl.) 1901 Vine St. 833-825-5357 or https://muralarts.org/artworks/black-dance-legacy-mural/
Award recipients of ‘Voices of Hope: An Event in Celebration of Black Excellence.
Voices Of Hope Honored
Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Voices of Hope: An Event in Celebration of Black Excellence will recognize Philadelphia-area trailblazers who demonstrate compassion and positive change. The event will highlight individuals who are “Building Tomorrow Today.” Award recipients will be: Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson; Tiffany Tavarez, Vice President of Jefferson’s Community Impact & Strategic Partnerships; Dr. Ashley Jordan, President & CEO of African American Museum in Philadelphia; Kenneth Lawrence, Highmark Blue Shield Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Southeastern Pennsylvania; Kelly Richards, President and Director of Free Library of Philadelphia; Monique Moore Pryor, Esq., President and Executive Director of The Free Library Foundation, and community advocate Charlie Mack.
6abc journalist Sharrie Williams will host the ceremony, and Joseph Meade, Comcast Spectacor’s Senior Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs, will deliver the keynote speech. Featured performers will be the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts; Eric Wortham; Aliyah Khalyn; Julian King; Seraiah Nicole, and Hiruy Tirfe Quintet.
Free with required registration (seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis). Gates open at 5:45 p.m. EST; pre-ceremony: 6 p.m. EST; main ceremony: 7 p.m. EST. Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. highmarkmann@engage.ticketmaster.com
