There are many public events and celebrations going on in Salt Lake and surrounding communities to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah this year. Juneteenth commemorates the date that the abolition of slavery was finally announced in Texas more than 2 years after the official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. A holiday officially recognized by the United States and the State of Utah, it is a celebration of the black community, and of resilience and joy. Many of the local events are organized by the Ogden-based Project Success Coalition, and activities range from the solemn - recognition of Black military service members, participation in the Lynching Memorial Soil Collection Project - to the celebratory - Children's Festival, Barber Battle & Crowns Braid Battle, Skate Night, Juneteenth with REAL Salt Lake. With events happening in Ogden, Layton, Sandy, Millcreek, and Salt Lake stretching from June 10th through the 27th, you should check out some of the great happenings going on nearby.

Annual State of Black Utah Town Hall

June 10th - 5:30 pm-8:00 pm

Weber State University, Davis Campus - 2750 University Park Blvd., Layton, UT 84041
Presented by the Utah Black Roundtable, this kick-off to Utah Juneteenth will honor Black people in the military. There will be several speakers, the premiere of the Utah Black Veterans Exhibit, a video presentation, song, and refreshments. Details here.

 

Lynching Memorial Soil Collection Project

June 11th - 10:00 am-1:00 pm

South Steps of Utah State Capitol Building - 350 State St., Salt Lake, UT 84103
The Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama will host this soil collection ceremony at the sites of two racial lynchings. Local African American leaders and Utah political officials will gather at sites of the murders of Mr. Thomas Coleman (1866) and Mr. William ("Sam Joe") Harvey (1883). A memorial ceremony will be held, and soil will be collected in jars to send to The National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Details here.

 

Juneteenth Children's Day Festival

June 11th - 2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Columbus Center - 2531 South 400 East, Salt Lake, UT 84115
This joyful event at the Columbus Community Center will feature face painting, music, performances, games, crafts, a reptile show, and more! Find out more here.

 

Juneteenth Brunch

June 12th, 2022 - 12:00 pm

SpyHop Rooftop - 208 West 900 South, Salt Lake, UT 84101
Celebrate in style on one of Salt Lake's coolest and newest venues, the SpyHop Rooftop in the heart of the Salt Lake's Granary/Ballpark district.

 

National Flag Day, Juneteenth Flag Raising (Salt Lake City)

June 14th, 2022 - 11:00 am

Washington Square Park - 451 South State Street, Salt Lake, UT 84111

Juneteenth Flag Raising (Salt Lake County)

June 17th, 2022 - 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Salt Lake County Government Center - 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake, UT 84190

Juneteenth Welcome Reception

June 17th, 2022 - 6:00 pm-11:00 pm

Copper Nickel - 2450 Grant Avenue, Ogden, UT 84401

Utah Juneteenth Celebration

June 18th, 2022 - Noon-9:00 pm

Ogden City Amphitheater - 343 East 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401
Proclaimed Utah's Juneteenth Headquarters, this is where many events will be happening to celebrate Juneteenth-style all day long. Featuring live music (R&B, jazz, hip hop, church choirs, more), spoken word performance, a health and wellness pavilion, Kids Fun Zone, games, film festival, food, and more.

3rd Annual Golden Clipper Barber Battle & Crowns Braid Battle

June 19th, 2022 - Noon-7:00 pm

Ogden City Amphitheater - 343 East 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401

Millcreek City Juneteenth

Millcreek First Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Skate Night with MCPP, UBLAC, & NSOUL

June 19th, 2022 - 5:00 pm-10:00 pm

1354 Chambers Avenue, Millcreek, UT 84106

Juneteenth Celebration with REAL Salt Lake

June 18th, 2022

Rio Tinto Stadium - 9256 South State St., Sandy, UT 84070

Even more events:

  • Juneteenth Day of Freedom Summit
    June 15th, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
    University of Utah, Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building - 1655 East Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake, UT 84112
  • County Library Juneteenth Festival
    June 18th, 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
    Viridian Event Center - 8030 South 1825 West, West Jordan, UT 84088
  • Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration & Black Owned Business Expo
    June 20th, 12:00 pm-10:00 pm
    The Gateway - 18 North Rio Grande St., Salt Lake, UT 84101
  • Utah Juneteenth Holiday Health & Wellness Expo - National Sickle Cell Day
    June 20th, Noon-7:00 pm
    Gallivan Center - 239 South Main St., Salt Lake, UT 84111
  • Excellence in Community Gospel Choir
    June 20th, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
    Gallivan Center - 239 South Main St., Salt Lake, UT 84111
  • Learning, Preserving & Telling the Stories of Juneteenth
    June 21st, 9:00 am
    John R Park Building, 201 Presidents Circle, Salt Lake, UT 84112
  • Juneteenth Black Women's Mural Project Unveiling
    With Better Days Utah & Semi Hadithi Foundation

    June 27th
    444 East 600 South, Salt Lake, UT 84111
  • Juneteenth Beloved Community Vigil
    June 30th, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
    International Peace Gardens - 1160 Dalton Avenue, Salt Lake, UT 84104

Get out there and celebrate the Black community this Juneteenth!