38 ways to commemorate Juneteenth in the Tampa Bay area
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the United States. The following are 38 ways we found to celebrate Juneteenth in the Tampa Bay area.
The Mountaintop: Juneteenth Performance: In this reimagining of events the night before the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, and King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy. $23. 8 p.m. June 10-11 and 17-18, 2 p.m. June 12 and 19. West Coast Players Theatre, 21905 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. 727-437-2363.
Tampa Heights Cultural Fest: Juneteenth Celebration: A celebration of the history, accomplishments, arts and African American culture within the Tampa Heights community. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 11. Event Venue, 2005 N Lamar Ave., Tampa.
Juneteenth on the Deuces: Sista Tria hosts this market with entertainment by hip-hop artist Queen of Ex and the Orijin Foundation. Also, listen to music by DJ Don Roc as you shop from area Black-owned small businesses. The theme of the market is “Know the Past. Shape the Future.” Free. 1-6 p.m. June 12. Market on the Deuces, 833 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg.
Juneteenth: The Legacy of Freedom: Dr. Tiffany Packer, assistant professor of History at FAMU and 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year, discusses the history of Juneteenth, its significance and why it deserves national recognition. She also explores how African American communities continue to honor the legacy of ancestors who contributed to securing freedom. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. June 12. Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, 1101 E River Cove St., Tampa. 813-935-9402.
Juneteenth Vendors Market: Celebrate Juneteenth at this open-air market with local Black-owned small businesses and student organizations offering their products and services. Also, DJ music, live entertainment, cultural performances, spoken word/poetry, West African drumming, dancing and hip-hop performances. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 16. St. Petersburg College Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St. 727-341-4772.
Get Nude: Drippin’ in Melanin: Ashlee T. Bangkx hosts this Tampa Bay Black Lesbians party with music by DJ Donnie Luv. Dress in attire in shades of nudes and Earth tones. $10. 7-11 p.m. June 17. Red Mesa Cantina, 128 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. 800-584-5414.
International Friday: Juneteenth Edition: DJs Hex Camouflage, D Vybez and Narcissist provide Miami-style vibes for a night of dancing with food, $8 Long Island specials and “Pinchadash” after 9 p.m. $10. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. June 17. Red Star Live, 9847 E Adamo Drive, Tampa. 813-898-8506.
Juneteenth Business Expo: In an effort to rotate money within the Black community, black entrepreneurs bring together other African American businesses to network, sell and showcase local and global brands. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18. Street Event, adjacent to 642 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-592-4193.
Gulfport Juneteenth: Get swag from the Rays and Bucs street teams at this Juneteenth celebration with speakers, educational sessions, a kids corner, soul food, vendors, entertainment by Corey Thornton, raffles, prizes, lunch for kids and a Father’s Day celebration. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. 727-893-1068.
Juneteenth Celebration New Port Richey: Celebrate “Unity in the Community” with live music in the park. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18. Sims Park, 5547 Main St., New Port Richey.
Sankofa Juneteenth Freedom Festival: Shop from Black-owned local businesses at the second annual market with African and urban apparel, drumming, art and crafts, jewelry, butters and scrubs, face painting, music, food (vegan options available) and raffles. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18. Rebirth Event Park, 1924 E Comanche Ave., Tampa. 813-373-1715.
Sundress and Seersucker: Juneteenth Celebration: An ice cream social with an auction of artwork created by African American artists. $10, $5 members. 1-3 p.m. June 18. Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, 1006 W Cypress St., Tampa.
Relax and Release: Juneteenth Edition: Honor fathers and lineage at this exploration of masculine and feminine energy. $44.44. 1-6 p.m. June 18. Campbell Park and Community Center, 601 14th St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7733.
Juneteenth Community Festival: Join Dashiki in the City for a local and virtual community celebration where melanated people can share resources, news and commemorate the holiday. Includes food trucks, family games, entertainment and spoken word. Free-$5. 1-7 p.m. June 18. Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-893-5452.
Juneteenth Free-ish Festival: Join St. Pete Black Pride to honor those who fought to make everyone free. Includes music, performers, free swag and free food. Free. 1-5 p.m. June 18. Event Venue, 1794 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-320-3231.
Celebrating Freedom: Juneteenth Pool Party: Dress in Caribbean colors and bring a pool float to celebrate freedom with music by DJ Millennium, food, drinks, games and pool activities. Benefits the Citrus Family Care Network. $10. 2-6 p.m. June 18. The Reserve at Pradera, 12051 Pradera Reserve Blvd., Riverview.
Tampa Bay Juneteenth Cultural Festival: A block party atmosphere with DJ dancing, food trucks, retail shopping, a food drive, toy drive, job fair, free health clinic and community activities. $10. 3-9 p.m. June 18. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 609-359-0529.
Film Tampa Bay: Juneteenth Salute: This portion of the quarterly series designed to showcase bay area films, filmmakers, actors and locations celebrates the Juneteenth holiday weekend with a screening of “Paper Line,” a locally produced live-action short film about a secret fraternity of black martial artists at a prestigious HBCU in Florida. Includes a live martial arts demonstration before the film. The first 150 guests get free popcorn. A talk-back with the director follows the screening. Free. 3 p.m. June 18. Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. 813-274-8286.
Juneteenth Festival: This day of recognition, restoration and celebration includes live musical and dance performances, craft and food vendors, poetry and more. Free. 5-8 p.m. June 18. John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Dunedin. 727-812-4530.
Black Excellence Lounge: Juneteenth Soiree of Soul: Celebrate Juneteenth with live jazz, old-school music and the latest R&B. Purple, black and gold cocktail attire requested. $60-$65. 6-11 p.m. June 18. Hilton Downtown Tampa, 211 N Tampa St. 813-204-3000.
Buffalo Soldiers Military Ball: Dress to impress for this public celebration promoting the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their contributions. $100. 6-10 p.m. June 18. Sheraton Tampa East, 10221 Princess Palm Ave. 813-623-6363.
Juneteenth Glow in the Dark Cooler Fete: Celebrate Black independence at this glow-in-the-dark dance with soca, dancehall, Afrobeats and more. $20-$50. 6 p.m.-midnight June 18. THAP Inc., 5508 N 50th St., Tampa. 813-753-4441.
Juneteenth Commemoration: Dress in African attire to join speaker Veronica Blakely and other powerful Black women for dinner. Held by Women Empowering Other Women. $30. 6:30-9 p.m. June 18. Seven Oaks Clubhouse, 2910 Sports Core Circle, Wesley Chapel. 813-907-7987.
Juneteenth Silent Auction Gala: Browse silent auction items at this celebration with an open bar of Florida CANE craft cocktails and appetizers. Benefits the Urban League of Hillsborough County. $30. 7-10 p.m. June 18. The Florida CANE Distillery, 1820 N 15th St., Tampa. 813-302-9696.
Juneteenth Step Show: Join the Wilson Foundation to celebrate Juneteenth with a Greek step show. $10-$30. 7 p.m. June 18. Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place. 813-757-9370.
Juneteenth: Freedom Day: WMNF-FM 88.5 recognizes Juneteenth with local Tampa Bay spoken word poets, Soul Caravan starring Theo Valentin, Rita Wilson, Tron Montgomery, and Hiram Hazleyd, and other special guests. Expect to hear renditions of Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as a soul revue. Dancing in the aisles is allowed. $20-$25. 8 p.m. June 18. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590.
African Nights Tampa: Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrate African American culture, history and progress at this party with dancing. $10, women free before midnight with RSVP on EventBrite. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. June 18. Club 1828, 5110 N 40th St., Tampa. 813-451-0383.
Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: The museum celebrates the day known as “Freedom Day” with free admission, art-making activities, live music, performances, family portraits and food trucks. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. June 19. Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza. 813-274-8130.
Melanin ‘n Mimosas Brunch and Day Party: Juneteenth: Dress in nude colors to celebrate liberation with dancing to rap, hip-hop and dancehall music by DJ No Breaks. $10. Noon-5 p.m. June 19. Whiskey North, 11921 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-444-7918.
Shade of Pride: Juneteenth Celebration: Celebrate the history of Juneteenth at this showcase of “Art and Qulture” of the Black and Brown LGBTQ community. TS Madison Hinton serves as host. There will be an educational panel, “The Legends Panel: The Intersection of Pride and Juneteenth,” local entertainment and vendors. Free. 2 p.m. June 19. Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-342-0084.
Juneteenth Luncheon: This Juneteenth and Father’s Day luncheon celebrates the work and dedication of Capt. Alfred Vanduyne (Plant City Police Department) and Pastor Randy Humphrey (One Accord Church). Buy tickets at 1wilsonfoundation.com. $10. 3 p.m. June 19. Planteen Recreation Center, 301 N Dort St., Plant City. 813-441-4851.
Juneteenth: Our Independence Day Celebration: This celebration features guest speakers, poetry readings, Black history games and activities, food, drinks, fireworks and more. $25. 5-10 p.m. June 19. Mofongo Steakhouse Seafood Bar and Grill, 8199 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.
Jazzy Juneteenth Jubilee: The First Ladies Society hosts this outdoor concert and lawn party featuring local, national and international musicians in the Mahaffey’s scenic waterfront park. White attire requested. Benefits the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. $951.44 (table of 10). 7-10 p.m. June 19. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-323-1104.
Juneteenth: Still We Rise: Celebrate Juneteenth with a night of comedy by Spunky Robinson, Gina G. and Goopman, along with live music by saxophonist Marlon Boone and Cienna Alida and spoken word by Chica Rose. $18.65. 8-11:55 p.m. June 19. Moore Eventful Event Hall, 11141 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. 727-914-8270.
Juneteenth in Clearwater: Celebrate Juneteenth at Saturday Morning Shoppe, an outdoor market catered to small businesses. Free. 3-8 p.m. June 25. Walter C. Campbell Park, 801 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater. 833-480-7467.
Paint N Black: Juneteenth Month: Six poets and six visual artists collaborate on an all-Black experience with music by DJ Solo, vendors, drinks and an open mic. Black attire required. $5-$10. 7-10 p.m. June 25. Creative Lounge, 13211 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-501-2960.
