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!

Gallery Night — Juneteenth
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
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.
Five Sisters’ Chef John Huggins is once again offering a selection of Juneteenth features adaptations to honor African American contributions to America’s culinary tradition and celebrating Juneteenth, the day all Americans were made free. Five Sisters Blues Café will offer the following at both lunch and dinner service on Monday, May 22 through Monday, June 19, 2023, excluding Sundays.
Featured Cocktail: Nearest Whiskey Sour - Uncle Nearest Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and hibiscus
Featured Dishes:
Appetizer: Watermelon and stone fruit capreseFresh watermelon, peaches, cherries, mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic
Entrée: Baby Back RibsSlow smoked baby back ribs with our house made BBQ sauce, collard greens, mac and cheese and cornbread
Dessert: Strawberry spoon cakeWarm strawberry spoon cake, strawberry ice cream and fresh berries
For more information and to view our full menus, please visit our website: www.fivesistersbluescafe.com

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
December 6
Mancave Wednesday at Casks and Flights
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 121 S Palafox St Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 495-3897
December 6
O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern Dollar Drink Night
Uptown Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 3728 Creighton Rd Pensacola, Florida 32504 (850) 474-0522
December 6
Karaoke at The Handlebar
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 319 N Tarragona St Pensacola, Florida 32501
December 6
Karaoke at The Handlebar
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 319 N Tarragona St Pensacola, Florida 32501
December 1
Spirits of Seville Quarter Ghost Tour and Luncheon
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 130 E Government St Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 941-4321
December 1
56th Annual Snowball Derby
North Pensacola
North Pensacola 7451 Pine Forest Road Pensacola, Florida 32526 (850) 944-8400
December 7
Color Me Mine Thankful Thursdays
Uptown Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 4771 Bayou Blvd, Suite 15 Pensacola, Florida 32503
December 1
Frisky Mermaid Daytime & Sunset Dolphin Bay Cruise
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach
701 Pensacola Beach Blvd
Behind Shaggy's on Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
(850) 910-0635
December 7
KARAOKE THURSDAYS AT PLAY
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 16 S. Palafox Place Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 466-2095
December 1
A Frisky Tour — Two Hour Scenic Bay Dolphin Tour
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd
Sabine Marina
Behind Shaggy's Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
(850) 910-0635
December 1
Onto the Canvas Paint and Sip Class
Downtown Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 5100 N 9th Avenue Suite E537 Pensacola, Florida 32504 (850) 696-2916
December 1
A Frisky Sunset Scenic Bay Dolphin Tour
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd
Sabine Marina
Behind the Frisky Dolphin
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
(850) 910-0635
December 1
A Frisky Stop — Three Hour Scenic Bay Tour with Beach Stop
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd
Sabine Marina
Behind Shaggy's Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
(850) 910-0635
December 7
College Night — Thursdays @ Seville Quarter
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 130 East Government Street Pensacola, Florida 32501 (850) 434-6211
December 7
8:30AM Morning Warrior Flow — Ashtanga Reimagined
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola
213 S Baylen St
Suite A
Pensacola, Florida 32502
(850) 343-5060
December 1
Blue Morning Gallery Members Holiday Show
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 21 S. Palafox Pl Pensacola, Florida 32501 (850) 429-9100
December 1
LUNCH SPECIALS 11AM-2PM (MON-FRI) East Hill Pizza
Uptown Pensacola
East Pensacola 2030 N 12th Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32503 (850) 857-9977
December 1
Pop In & Paint
Uptown Pensacola
4771 Bayou Blvd, Suite 11 Pensacola, Florida 32514 (850) 450-1450
December 1
Pop In & Paint — DIY Art and Candles
Uptown Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 4771 Bayou Blvd, Suite 11 Pensacola, Florida 32503
December 7
Thai Thursday
Downtown Pensacola
21 West Romana Street Pensacola, Florida 32501 (505) 360-4256
December 7
THURSDAY LUNCH SPECIAL: Island Marinara
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 601 E Gregory St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 786-3675
December 7
THURSDAY LUNCH SPECIAL: Black Sesame Seared Tuna
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 601 E Gregory St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 786-3675
December 1
Lunch buffet at Lillian’s Pizza
Perdido Key
Perdido Key 14514 Perdido Key Drive Perdido Key, Florida 32507
December 1
O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern Happy Hour
Uptown Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 3728 Creighton Rd Pensacola, Florida 32504 (850) 474-0522
December 1
Happy Hour! M‑F, 1–5PM!
Perdido Key
Perdido Key
13700 Perdido Key Dr.
#207A
Pensacola, Florida 32507
December 1
Coin Flip Happy Hour
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach 5B Via De Luna Drive Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561 (850) 677-8899
December 1
Happy Hour At Sake Café
East Pensacola
Uptown Pensacola 4880 N 9th Ave Pensacola, Florida 32503 (850) 494-9999
December 1
Happy Hour at Perennial
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola The Garden & Palafox and Main 501 S Palafox St, Pensacola, Florida 32502 na
December 7
Fin & Fork Steak Night
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 601 E Gregory St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 786-3675
December 1
Happy Hour at Fin & Fork
Downtown Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola 601 E Gregory St. Pensacola, Florida 32502 (850) 786-3675