You’re invited to Tempe’s family friendly Juneteenth festivities
Celebrated each year on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Tempe was the first city in the Valley of the Sun to officially recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday on an annual basis. In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a national holiday.
Making Juneteenth a holiday is just one way to draw awareness to the importance of this holiday. Another way Tempe honors this holiday is by flying Juneteenth flags throughout the streets of downtown all month long to raise awareness and visibility for residents and visitors.
This holiday wouldn’t be possible without the partners and event producers who specialize in creating spaces that acknowledge history, celebrate the future, encourage Black joy and welcome community.
Check out the following Juneteenth events taking place in Tempe:
EVENTS
Desert Botanical Garden’s Juneteenth Celebration
June 9, 2026
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix | 480-941-1225
The Desert Botanical Garden is celebrating Juneteenth (June 19) on Community Day with a day of reflection, fun and connection to honor the enduring legacy of freedom, culture and community.
Taking place from 7 to 1 p.m., the celebration will include a variety of family friendly activities, food trucks, community resources, cooking demos, storytelling, music and wellness experiences showcasing local Black-owned businesses.
Arizona Historical Society’s Juneteenth Celebration
June 14, 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe: 4400 S. Rural Road, Tempe
Join the Arizona Historical Society for its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration, a free event that will take place from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Please note that for 2026, the event will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe.
This year’s theme, “We’ve Come This Far” celebrates the resilience of Black Arizona trailblazers while highlighting local historians, storytellers, and community members dedicated to preserving and sharing Arizona’s black history. There will be dance and musical performances, storytellers, and a discussion panel.
Admission is free, and all are welcome. Attendees are encouraged register in advance here.
Downtown Tempe’s Juneteenth Block Party
June 19, 2026
CenterPoint Plaza: 660 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
The Juneteenth Block Party in Downtown Tempe returns with a free, all-ages celebration of culture, creativity, and community. CenterPoint Plaza will lights up with live entertainment, bold flavors from local vendors, classic games, and more that honor Black history and joy from 7 to 11 p.m. From powerful storytelling spaces to crowd-favorite entertainment and performances, this event brings people together in a meaningful and memorable way.
Tempe History Museum’s Juneteenth Celebration
June 20, 2026
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe | 480-350-5100
The African-American Advisory Committee presents the 13th Annual Juneteenth Celebration to educate the community and celebrate freedom from slavery in the United States. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this celebration is free, family friendly, and will include hands-on activities, performances, vendors, story time, a video game trailer, police and fire vehicles, food truck vendors and more.
COMMUNITY
Join at BLK Arizona Run Club Meetup
June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2026
Tempe Town Lake: 850 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
The BLK Arizona Run Club is a social- and fitness-focused meetup that brings community to Tempe Town Lake every Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m. While this event takes place year-round, consider it another option for celebrating Black joy this June. Preregistration or advance sign-up is not required. Be sure to check out @blkazrun on Instagram in advance to make sure you have all the details.
SUPPORT LOCAL
Support Black-Owned Businesses
If you’re looking to shop Black-owned businesses in Tempe, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve assembled this list of local Black-owned restaurants and other various businesses to connect you with opportunities to shop, dine and support this valuable segment of our Tempe community.
From luxe nightlife and our very own local celebrity pit master to international markets and DIY experiences, we invite you to support these Black-owned restaurants and businesses in Tempe.
