Here’s how to honor Juneteenth across the Tampa Bay area in 2025
By Samantha Lichter
June 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM EDT
Events include live music, exhibits, poetry performances, and a film celebration.
There are various events in the Tampa Bay area that residents can choose from to recognize Juneteenth.
This holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
Juneteenth became officially recognized by former President Joe Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Tampa acknowledged Juneteenth as an official holiday in 2022.
Here’s a list by day on how to find a Juneteenth celebration.
Friday
City of Tampa annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival: 5-8 p.m.
Mayor Jane Castor and the city will host the sixth annual flag-raising ceremony. There will be free food and several vendors to accompany the ceremony and festival; 2555 E. Hanna Ave.
Saturday
Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Tampa Museum of Art hosts its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration with an afternoon of activities. There will be live music, a photo booth and several programs. Admission is free, and attendees can register online; 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza.
Dunedin Juneteenth Celebration: 5- 8 p.m.
Dunedin is hosting a celebration that will feature live music, food vendors and craft vendors. Admission is free. John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, 420 Main St.
Celebration of Freedom: 12-4 p.m.
Promoting African American culture, New Outlook Events will host a celebration that features live music. Admission is free, but attendees must register online; 24 Bronson Trail, Polk City.
Sunday
Clearwater Church Service: 2 p.m.
The city and the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition are host a three-day Juneteenth celebration. It will start with a Father’s Day church service at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. There will be giveaways, a choir show and soul food. Tickets can be bought online. 409 S. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater.
Monday
Arts Legacy Remix: 7:30 p.m.
The Straz Center is showcasing its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration. It will feature original music, dance and poetry performances. There will also be spoken historical performances. The event is free, but registration is required. Attendees can register online; 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa.
Lunch and Learn Presentation: 1-2 p.m. .
As part of its three-day event, Clearwater is hosting a presentation led by Anthony E. Dixon. This event is free, but registration is required. 2642 Sabal Springs Drive, Clearwater.
Thursday
Free Museum Day: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The James Museum of Western + Wildlife Art has free admission. Ticket reservations are required and can be acquired online; 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Southern Soul Boots on the Ground Concert: 3-7p.m.
The Pinellas County Urban League is hosting a concert to honor Juneteenth at the Floridian Social. Buy tickets online. 687 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Tampa Police Juneteenth Summer Block Party: 4-7 p.m.
Hosted by the Tampa Police Department Black History Committee, the gathering will feature food trucks, nonprofits and special recognitions. Free; 1000 E. Harrison St., Tampa.
Gulfport Celebrates Juneteenth: 5-9 p.m.
The Kiwanis Club of Gulfport is honoring Juneteenth with a celebration of African American culture. Red velvet cake and red soda, which symbolize resilience and joy, will be available. Gulfport Beach, Pavilion 6; 5598 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport
Painting with a Purpose: 6-9:30 p.m.
For the final day of the three-day event, Clearwater and Artz 4 Life Academy host a painting event that features music, prizes and food. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online.;1751 Kings Highway.
Flavor of Freedom Celebration: 6 p.m.
Hidden Sound Village hosts a celebration with African dancing, soul food, a market, and exclusive beer and cider. Free. Coppertail Brewing, 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa.
Ode to Black Dandyism: 7-11:30 p.m.
The 7th + Grove Restaurant in Ybor City hosts a celebration of Black fashion and culture. There will be a red carpet with a DJ and photo booth. Tickets can be purchased online; 1930 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.
Plates & Palettes Juneteenth Edition: 6-9 p.m.
Attendees indulge in a three-course meal while participating in a guided painting session. Participants can choose to opt out of the meal and take part soley in the painting. Tickets can be purchased online; 502 E. Main St., Lakeland.
Juneteenth Film Celebration: starting at 6 p.m.
Tampa Theatre will showcast local films, filmmakers and actors. There will be several previews, short films and features. Following the showings, there will be a discussion and Q&A. Free with registration online; 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa.
Juneteenth Cultural Couture Ball: 7-10 p.m.
As part of R.O.C. the Block’s Juneteenth celebrations, this art, fashion and culture event includes dancing, arts and dining. The dress code is specified as black tie with cultural flair. Tickets can be purchased online; Garden Riverview, 6445 U.S. 301, Riverview.
Saturday, June 21
Tarpon Springs Freedom Celebration: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
This family-friendly event will have food, games, water slides and dancing. Free; 500 E. Harrison St., Tarpon Springs.
5th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Organized by the East Pasco Juneteenth Committee, this event will have family-friendly events such as a Juneteenth pageant, a videogame lounge, speakers and food vendors. Free; 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel.
Juneteenth Festival: 3-9 p.m.
Final day of R.O.C. the Block’s Juneteenth celebrations. Hosted at Raymond James Stadium, there will be live music, vendors, educational experiences and a kid zone. Free with registration online. There are options to purchase additional seating and parking; 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.
Sunday, June 22
Juneteenth 5K CommUnity Walk/Run: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Celebrates Juneteenth while raising awareness of Type 2 diabetes. There will be DJ music, food vendors and a health expo. Tickets can be purchased online; Rowlett Park, 2401 E. Yukon St., Tampa.
Juneteenth Arts Festival: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Hosted by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, this event features activities highlighting Black culture such as local art, live music and screenings of documentaries. There will also be food trucks and workshops. Free; 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.
Tampa Heights Cultural Fest: 5-9 p.m.
The Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association hosts its fifth annual Juneteenth community celebration. This event aims to highlight Juneteenth history and community. Free but participants must register online; 2005 N. Lamar Ave., Tampa.
Saturday, June 28
Juneteenth Freedom Festival : 1-6 p.m.
A festival with historical exhibits, music and food vendors. Tickets can be purchased online; Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland.
This holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
Juneteenth became officially recognized by former President Joe Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Tampa acknowledged Juneteenth as an official holiday in 2022.
Here’s a list by day on how to find a Juneteenth celebration.
Friday
City of Tampa annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival: 5-8 p.m.
Mayor Jane Castor and the city will host the sixth annual flag-raising ceremony. There will be free food and several vendors to accompany the ceremony and festival; 2555 E. Hanna Ave.
Saturday
Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Tampa Museum of Art hosts its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration with an afternoon of activities. There will be live music, a photo booth and several programs. Admission is free, and attendees can register online; 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza.
Dunedin Juneteenth Celebration: 5- 8 p.m.
Dunedin is hosting a celebration that will feature live music, food vendors and craft vendors. Admission is free. John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, 420 Main St.
Celebration of Freedom: 12-4 p.m.
Promoting African American culture, New Outlook Events will host a celebration that features live music. Admission is free, but attendees must register online; 24 Bronson Trail, Polk City.
Sunday
Clearwater Church Service: 2 p.m.
The city and the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition are host a three-day Juneteenth celebration. It will start with a Father’s Day church service at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. There will be giveaways, a choir show and soul food. Tickets can be bought online. 409 S. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater.
Monday
Arts Legacy Remix: 7:30 p.m.
The Straz Center is showcasing its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration. It will feature original music, dance and poetry performances. There will also be spoken historical performances. The event is free, but registration is required. Attendees can register online; 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Tampa.
Lunch and Learn Presentation: 1-2 p.m. .
As part of its three-day event, Clearwater is hosting a presentation led by Anthony E. Dixon. This event is free, but registration is required. 2642 Sabal Springs Drive, Clearwater.
Thursday
Free Museum Day: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The James Museum of Western + Wildlife Art has free admission. Ticket reservations are required and can be acquired online; 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Southern Soul Boots on the Ground Concert: 3-7p.m.
The Pinellas County Urban League is hosting a concert to honor Juneteenth at the Floridian Social. Buy tickets online. 687 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Tampa Police Juneteenth Summer Block Party: 4-7 p.m.
Hosted by the Tampa Police Department Black History Committee, the gathering will feature food trucks, nonprofits and special recognitions. Free; 1000 E. Harrison St., Tampa.
Gulfport Celebrates Juneteenth: 5-9 p.m.
The Kiwanis Club of Gulfport is honoring Juneteenth with a celebration of African American culture. Red velvet cake and red soda, which symbolize resilience and joy, will be available. Gulfport Beach, Pavilion 6; 5598 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport
Painting with a Purpose: 6-9:30 p.m.
For the final day of the three-day event, Clearwater and Artz 4 Life Academy host a painting event that features music, prizes and food. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online.;1751 Kings Highway.
Flavor of Freedom Celebration: 6 p.m.
Hidden Sound Village hosts a celebration with African dancing, soul food, a market, and exclusive beer and cider. Free. Coppertail Brewing, 2601 E. Second Ave., Tampa.
Ode to Black Dandyism: 7-11:30 p.m.
The 7th + Grove Restaurant in Ybor City hosts a celebration of Black fashion and culture. There will be a red carpet with a DJ and photo booth. Tickets can be purchased online; 1930 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa.
Plates & Palettes Juneteenth Edition: 6-9 p.m.
Attendees indulge in a three-course meal while participating in a guided painting session. Participants can choose to opt out of the meal and take part soley in the painting. Tickets can be purchased online; 502 E. Main St., Lakeland.
Juneteenth Film Celebration: starting at 6 p.m.
Tampa Theatre will showcast local films, filmmakers and actors. There will be several previews, short films and features. Following the showings, there will be a discussion and Q&A. Free with registration online; 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa.
Juneteenth Cultural Couture Ball: 7-10 p.m.
As part of R.O.C. the Block’s Juneteenth celebrations, this art, fashion and culture event includes dancing, arts and dining. The dress code is specified as black tie with cultural flair. Tickets can be purchased online; Garden Riverview, 6445 U.S. 301, Riverview.
Saturday, June 21
Tarpon Springs Freedom Celebration: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
This family-friendly event will have food, games, water slides and dancing. Free; 500 E. Harrison St., Tarpon Springs.
5th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Organized by the East Pasco Juneteenth Committee, this event will have family-friendly events such as a Juneteenth pageant, a videogame lounge, speakers and food vendors. Free; 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel.
Juneteenth Festival: 3-9 p.m.
Final day of R.O.C. the Block’s Juneteenth celebrations. Hosted at Raymond James Stadium, there will be live music, vendors, educational experiences and a kid zone. Free with registration online. There are options to purchase additional seating and parking; 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.
Sunday, June 22
Juneteenth 5K CommUnity Walk/Run: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Celebrates Juneteenth while raising awareness of Type 2 diabetes. There will be DJ music, food vendors and a health expo. Tickets can be purchased online; Rowlett Park, 2401 E. Yukon St., Tampa.
Juneteenth Arts Festival: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Hosted by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, this event features activities highlighting Black culture such as local art, live music and screenings of documentaries. There will also be food trucks and workshops. Free; 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota.
Tampa Heights Cultural Fest: 5-9 p.m.
The Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association hosts its fifth annual Juneteenth community celebration. This event aims to highlight Juneteenth history and community. Free but participants must register online; 2005 N. Lamar Ave., Tampa.
Saturday, June 28
Juneteenth Freedom Festival : 1-6 p.m.
A festival with historical exhibits, music and food vendors. Tickets can be purchased online; Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland.