Journey to Juneteenth
Discovering Our Roots
How can I celebrate in Pensacola?
The City of Pensacola is highlighting a variety of events scheduled to celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
"I am excited to see the Pensacola community come together to celebrate Juneteenth and everything this day represents for the Black community and our entire country," District 5 Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton said. "I grew up celebrating Juneteenth right here in Pensacola, and I want to see it keep growing more and more each year. Juneteenth is not just for the Black community to celebrate – it is a national holiday focused on Black people and Black history, but everyone is invited to celebrate and enjoy the many great events we have planned right here in Pensacola."
In addition to several city-sponsored events, many local businesses and organizations are hosting Juneteenth events to commemorate the holiday.
The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted Fort Pickens, managed by Gulf Islands National Seashore, as one of over 650 sites, programs, and facilities within the Network. It joins 12 new listings from the 40th round of Network to Freedom applications, representing sites and programs in eight states across the United States. New listings were accepted in the final days of September, which represented International Underground Railroad Month in 11 states.
Fort Pickens, located on Pensacola Bay in northwest Florida, became a destination for freedom seekers starting in 1861. Eight enslaved people sought their freedom at the fort one month before the start of the Civil War. The commanding Union officer, however, sent them back to slavery. As a Union base throughout the war, untold numbers of freedom seekers chose to make their way to Fort Pickens later in 1861 and in 1862. In 1864, elements of the 25th U.S. Colored Troops marched into the fort. From Fort Pickens, these Black soldiers fought to defend the Union and destroy slavery.
Save the date for our 2nd Annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture Festival! It will be a fun filled day with special performances, food trucks, vendors, traditional card games, large kids zone, arts, crafts, African clothing, face painting, and much more! Don’t miss out!
On Friday, June 16th, from 5-9pm, Gallery Night Pensacola’s theme will be “Juneteenth!” As part of the city's “Journey to Juneteenth” celebration statewide, Gallery Night’s June event will highlight the federal holiday with special performances, art, and food.
This month's Gallery Night is presented by Publix and sponsored by the City of Pensacola.
Gallery Night is an all-ages, community, arts, and cultural event on the third Friday of each month from 5-9 pm. Our unique monthly themes set the tone for each event's art, performers, musical performance stages, and activities that are sure to please.
Gallery Night’s extensive art zones will be hosting over 60 local artisans along Palafox Street at this month's event. Don’t miss our newest addition - Gallery Night’s Market Zone, located at Government Street across from Plaza Ferdinand. Event patrons have more shopping opportunities when visiting our artists’ open-air tents along the streetside. Maybe you will find that unique treasure you have been searching for.
Find returning event features: Legal Graffiti, sponsored by Zarzaur Law at Romana and Palafox, and venture a bit more south to the Youth Music Project Stage, sponsored by Stevenson Klotz, at the corner of Palafox and Government.
For more information on our event, visit us at gallerynightpensacola.org

How is Juneteenth traditionally celebrated?
The very first Juneteenth took place in 1866, a year after the slaves were finally freed. It was known as Jubilee Day, and as its name suggests, there was plenty of jubilation to be found. A typical Juneteenth celebration consisted of barbecues and music, and plenty of prayer and worship among freed Blacks who gathered to mark the occasion.
As Black people traveled throughout America, they took the tradition of the celebration with them. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country with cookouts, neighborhood get-togethers, fairs, parades, and more.
Support Local Black Owned Businesses
Juneteenth Events in Pensacola
June 1
Spirits Of Juneteenth Ghost Tour and Meal!
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola (850) 941-4321
June 3
Toast To The Bay Wine & Spirit Festival
East Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 116 E Gonzalez St Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 495-3897
June 4
Beats and Eats! “Journey to Juneteenth”
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 311 E Government Pensacola, Florida 32503 (850) 972-8993
June 9
Sanford Greene: Marvel Comic Artist Talk
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 222 W Main St Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 435-1672
June 11
When Queens Link Up: Focused on Freedom
Downtown Pensacola
375 N Pace Blvd. Pensacola, Florida 32501 (850) 485-5243
June 16
Juneteenth Theme Adult Crafting — WFPL Downtown Library
Downtown Pensacola
239 N. Spring St. Pensacola, Florida (850) 436-5060
June 16
Gallery Night Pensacola — Juneteenth
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 13 Palafox Place Pensacola, Florida 32502 .
June 17
A Family Reunion For The Culture, A Journey To Juneteenth Event
Downtown Pensacola
120 Church St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 607-2929
June 17
309 Visiting Artist Roscoe Hall
Downtown Pensacola
309 North 6th Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32501 (352) 634-2256
June 17
Journey to Juneteenth 3rd Annual Juneteenth Gala
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 8820 Marsh Elder Dr Pensacola, Florida 32526 (850) 516-9085
June 18
A Tune to Juneteenth Brunch
East Pensacola
3498 Dr.Martin Luther King Dr Pensacola, Florida 32503 (850) 446-8436
June 18
Juneteenth Celebration
East Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 1000 College Blvd. Bldg. 5 Pensacola, Florida 32504 (850) 484-4414
June 19
2nd Annual “Journey to Juneteenth” RnB and Blues Lawn Party
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 311 East Government Street Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 607-3499
June 19
“Good Sense: A Rabbit Tale” PUPPET SHOW!
Downtown Pensacola
309 N 6th Ave Pensacola, Florida 32501 (404) 317-3514
June 23
Movement for Change “Freedom is not Free” banquet Celebrating Juneteenth
Downtown Pensacola
375 North Pace Blvd Pensacola, Florida 32505 18502063776
June 23
Movies in the Park
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 301 W Main St Pensacola, Florida 32502