The Freedom Center is proud to bring back the Juneteenth Jubilee in 2026, bringing people together around music, food and community.
True to the spirit of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations, all are welcome to join the fun with live music, food trucks and a Community Market where you can shop small and support local businesses.
Guests will also enjoy free museum admission thanks to the Fifth Third Foundation. Experience drop-in programming centered around the theme "What does Afro-futurism mean to you?" and give back through the Juneteenth Blood Drive with Hoxworth Blood Center.
When
Friday, June 19, 2026
Where
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Admission
Free and open to the public.
Parking
View recommendations.
If you need accommodations or have any questions about our accessibility resources, please contact us at accessible@nurfc.org.
2nd Wind Band
DJ Vader Mixx
Kick off the party with Opal's Walk for Freedom, then enjoy family-friendly fun featuring:
Indigo Hippo
Black Lit Books
The Gaskins Foundation
Cincinnati Observatory
and free screenings of Afrofantastic: The Transformative World of Afrofuturism and Space is the Place.
Full Schedule
Start your Juneteenth with movement by joining Opal’s Walk for Freedom a 2.5-mile tribute to Dr. Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" and her advocacy to help make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
- 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Walk check-in and registration, family activities (face painting by NubianLuxx, games) open for walk participants, music with DJ Arie and rally with Downtown Skate
- 9:45 a.m. | Welcome and kickoff
- 10:00 a.m. | Walk begins
- 11:00 a.m. | Community Market opens
- 12:00 p.m. | Walk route closes
Freedom Way comes alive with on-stage performances, a Community Market, food trucks and outdoor activities for all ages.
- 12:00-1:30 | DJ Vader
- 1:30-3:30 | 2nd Wind
- 3:30-5:00 | DJ Vader
- Free raffle drawings at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00
Step inside the Freedom Center for powerful, hands-on experiences that invite reflection and imagination.
- 12:00 | Doors open
- Docent stations throughout the museum for interpretation and discussion
- 12:00-4:45 | Knowledge stations
- 12:00-4:45 | Community activations with Gaskins Foundation, Black Lit, Indigo Hippo
- 12:30 | Ijo Ugo performance
- 12:30 | Space is the Place screening in Harriet Tubman Theater
- 2:00 | Ijo Ugo performance
- 2:00 | Afrofantastic screening in Harriet Tubman Theater
- 2:45 | Space is the Place screening in Harriet Tubman Theater
- 4:15 | Afrofantastic screening in Harriet Tubman Theater
African Fabrics and Things
Bella Fiamma
Chandra's Mary Kay
Cincinnati Cancer Advisors
Cincinnati Observatory
Inspirational Bling Tees
KayBeez Kraftz
Kreative Solutions
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Style and Grace Consignment
Stylish LeNese Boutique
Succulent Eyez Eyewear
The VAB Jewelry Boutique
Unity Unlimited
Wisdom Flows
To Be Announced
Community Champion
Unity Gold
Friends of Juneteenth
