Celebrate Juneteenth at these KC events: Nelson-Atkins, 18th & Vine, and more
Kansas City is gearing up to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with a multitude of educational, fun events all over the metro.
The Nelson Museum has a whole day of activities and demonstrations planned for June 12, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., including artist conversations with Kevin Demery, a learning station with the Black Archives of Mid-America, and more.
The same day, the Kansas City Housing Authority is hosting the Juneteenth Health & Food Tour from 4 to 6 p.m., offering free food and wellness resources for all ages.
Friday, the Center of African American Health has the Juneteenth Wellness for African-American Health at KU Medical Center from 4 to 9 p.m. Attendees will have access to free health screenings, interactive workshops, and live jazz and R&B music.
Get your running shoes for the Overland Park Juneteenth Freedom Run on June 14. In addition to the race, the celebration will feature a parade, a petting zoo, local bands, and KC Wolf, the Kansas City Chiefs mascot.
On the holiday, The Bird Comedy Theatre is showcasing Black comedians in KC with a free show hosted by HBfromKC. Learn about Black history at the Wornall-Majors House Museum’s free Drop-In History exhibit on Juneteenth. Indian Creek Library’s makerspace will provide free resources to make Juneteenth pins with their laser wood cutter from 1 to 2 p.m.
Johnson County’s Juneteenth Celebration at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons is on the holiday from 4:30-6:30 p.m., featuring speakers such as Victor Webb, Steve Arledge, and performances by the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir and more.
The Hope Center KC is hosting its annual Juneteenth celebration with Juneteenth trivia, guest speakers, vendors, food trucks, petting zoos, and more on June 19.
The festivities continue on the same day with KC Defender’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Cookout, which will celebrate the history of radical Black resistance.
The SoulPatrol and Jazz flutist Amber Underwood and band, Flutienastiness, will be performing for free at the Kemper Museum of Art’s Juneteenth Performance on June 20. The same day, Midtown Makers Market has their Juneteenth Jamboree with KC Black Owned from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring local Black-owned businesses and food trucks.
The 14th annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival at 18th & Vine will celebrate the holiday on Saturday, June 21. The event from noon to 10 p.m. will feature family fun activities, community organizations, and live music.
Kansas City Public Libraries will share the history of how African Americans in Kansas City pursued freedom at the central library with local historian Erik Stafford on June 22.
See the full list of events and details below:
Nelson-Atkins Juneteenth Celebration
Jun 12: 10 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Nelson-Atkins Museum: 4525 Oak St.
Juneteenth Health & Food Tour
June 12: 4 — 6 p.m.
Kansas City Housing Authority: 299 The Paseo
Juneteenth Wellness for African-American Health
June 13: 4 — 9 p.m.
KU Medical Center — Health Education Building: 2146 W 39 Ave.
Overland Park Juneteenth Celebration
June 14: 7:30 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Prariefire: 5661 W 135 St.
Wornall-Majors House Museums Drop-In History: Juneteenth
June 19: 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Wornall-Majors House Museum: 6115 Wornall Rd.
Olathe Public Library - Juneteenth Laser Cut Buttons
June 19: 1 p.m. — 2 p.m.
Indian Creek Library: 16100 W 135 St.
KC Defender Juneteenth Freedom Day Cookout
- June 19: 1 — 6 p.m.
- 4029 Wayne Ave.
Johnson County 2025 Juneteenth Celebration
June 19: 4:30 — 6:30 p.m
Lenexa Civic Campus Commons: 17101 W 87 St.
The Hope Center KC
June 19: 4:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.
The Hope Center KC: 2800 E. Linwood Blvd.
BlaKC at The Bird
June 19: 8 — 9:30 p.m.
The Bird Comedy Theatre: 103 W 19 St.
Midtown Makers Market — Juneteenth Jamboree with KC Black Owned
June 20: 5 — 8 p.m.
211 W Armour Blvd
Kemper Museum of Art Juneteenth Performance
June 20: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
Kemper Museum of Art: 4420 Warwick Blvd.
JuneteenthKC 14th Annual Heritage Festival
June 21: Noon — 10 p.m.
18th & Vine
Kansas City Public Library — ‘Chasing After Freedom’ with Erik Stafford
Jun 22: 2 — 3 p.m.
Central Library: 14 W 10 St.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM.
