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 (2026 date to come)
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
480-350-5100 | 480-941-1225
The Desert Botanical Garden commemorates Juneteenth by honoring the enduring legacy of freedom, culture and community. You’re invited to wander through the scenic trails while engaging in activities that spotlight Black culture, history and creativity.
The evening will be a blend of culture, entertainment and family friendly fun. Celebrate Black excellence with live music, dance performances, delicious food and much more. This is an event for all ages to reflect, celebrate and envision a unified future together.
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 the perfect combo of good music, good eats and good community. To commemorate Juneteenth, Downtown Tempe is celebrating with this free, all-ages event from 7 to 11 p.m. at CenterPoint Plaza. The festivities include live music, dancing and dance battles, spoken word performances, Black-owned food vendors, classic games, a vintage roller-skating rink, immersive art experiences that honor Black history and more.
Tempe History Museum’s Juneteenth Celebration
June (2026 date to come)
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. 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.
Arizona Historical Society’s Juneteenth Celebration
June (2026 date to come)
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe | 480-929-0292
Join the Arizona Heritage Center in recognizing the impact of Black communities in Arizona with the fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration. This event will include lectures, storytelling, songs, activities, limited refreshments, afternoon workshops on genealogy, community partner tables to share stories and information, and access to explore the exhibits. Registration is FREE (link to come). Donations to support future programming of this kind can be made by choose the Supporter Admission Pass option for $10.
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.
