Multiple events are slated throughout Gainesville to celebrate the Fifth Annual Journey to Juneteenth: Florida Emancipation to National Celebration.
The city of Gainesville will hold a flag-raising ceremony and proclamation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at the City Hall Plaza (200 E. University Ave.) to officially recognize Florida’s actual emancipation date – May 20, 1865. The date marks the day when enslaved Africans first learned of their freedom in Tallahassee, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Tuesday’s ceremony is open to the public and is just one of several city of Gainesville’s monthlong program of events through June 19, the date when communities nationwide commemorate the announcement of freedom reaching Texas in 1865.
The city of Gainesville posted a list of the monthlong events below:
- Florida Emancipation Celebration Welcome to the City of Gainesville 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center (837 SE 7 Ave.), free.
- “Silver Linings” Community Day at the Harn Welcome to the City of Gainesville noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 31, Harn Museum of Art, 3259 Hull Rd, free.
- GNV Film Festival Welcome to the City of Gainesville 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at The Hippodrome Cinema, 25 SE 2nd Pl., free.
- Honoring the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future Welcome to the City of Gainesville. The celebration includes food trucks, arts and crafts, an educational historical tour, youth activities, vendors, information about Santa Fe College programs and live entertainment. A Gospel Extravaganza, noon-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Santa Fe College Blount Center, 530 W. University Ave., free.
- Juneteenth Breakfast and Black Music Month Celebration Welcome to the City of Gainesville, 7:30-9 a.m., Thursday, June 19, at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE 7th Ave, Tickets $35
- “An Evening With Avery*Sunshine” Juneteenth Concert Welcome to the City of Gainesville 6-9 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Bo Diddley Plaza (111 E. University Ave.), free.
- Storytime at Depot Park Welcome to the City of Gainesville 10:30-11 a.m., Friday, June 20, at Depot Park play area, 874 SE 4th St, free. Freedom Fest 2025 Welcome to the City of Gainesville 3-9 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University.
- Tha Cookout: A Juneteenth & Fatherhood Celebration Welcome to the City of Gainesville Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, June 22, at Lincoln Park, 900 SE 15th St, free with registration.
Additional details about Journey to Juneteenth events can be found online.