History textbooks of old may have led you to believe that slavery ended with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. But the reality is that it took several years for liberation to make its way through the Confederacy. So now, in mid-June, we celebrate a major milestone in the historic fight for racial equality: Juneteenth. The day commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to finally enforce the Emancipation Proclamation there.

This week, communities across Denver are hosting events to honor Black history, culture, and creativity. Whether you want to celebrate with soul food, a burlesque show, or a four-mile run, find a Juneteenth fete that fits below.

Juneteenth Fundraiser Run

  • Location: 3000 E. First Ave., Unit 112, Denver (Cherry Creek)
  • Date and Time: Thursday, June 19; 6–8 p.m.
  • Cost: Free

Lift your spirits (and your heart rate) at this run for a good cause. You’ll lace up and log 3.85 miles along the Cherry Creek Trail—starting just outside of Fleet Feet—with members of Denver Black Girls Run and Embrace the Pace: Run Club. After you’ve PRed (or strolled leisurely with friends), enjoy grub, live music, and raffle tickets for giveaways. The best part? All the proceeds go to the DJ Armstrong Foundation, which supports HBCU-bound students and gun violence prevention.

Juneteenth Cocktail Class: Celebration of Freedom

  • Location: 2590 Walnut St., Denver (RiNo)
  • Date and Time: Thursday, June 19; 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $65.87

Raise a glass to freedom at this special cocktail class led by a self-described “liquid therapist.” Learn how to craft bright summer cocktails while you celebrate Black history and culture. (And yes, you get to drink your creations.)

Black Psychedelic Juneteenth Dinner

Three black women smile in front of the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference banner
Photo courtesy of Christina Baviello
  • Location: 1144 Broadway, Denver (Capitol Hill)
  • Date and Time: Thursday, June 19; 7:30–9:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $28.52

Held during the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference, this Juneteenth dinner highlights all the ways the Black community has thrived in the face of oppression. Guests will gather over a Kenyan buffet-style meal (with a full cash bar available), and Black innovators and thought leaders will receive awards for their contributions to racial justice.

The Beauty Shop: A Juneteenth Burlesque and Drag Event

  • Location: 1974 S. Acoma St., Denver (Overland)
  • Date and Time: Thursday, June 19, 8–10:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $17.85 (18+)

Trust us, you won’t want to come underdressed to this event, which spotlights Black beauty through the ages. In between bold drag and burlesque performers—including Coco Bardot, Zimmorah, and Thee Black CrocoDahlia—hop in the soul train line for your own chance to shine.

Juneteenth at The Pearl

  • Location: 2199 California St., Denver (Five Points)
  • Date and Time: Thursday, June 19, 9–midnight
  • Cost: $28.52 (18+)

Revelers without a bedtime should make a beeline for the Pearl, where legendary local queens, including Lisa Frank 666 and Porsha DeMarco, will flaunt their Black excellence. Denver drag queen royalty Zimmorah will be your guide for the evening’s empowering festivities.

National Gullah Symposium: Gullah Singers Performance and Panel

  • Location: 2400 California St., Denver (Five Points)
  • Date and Time: June 20–21; Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m.
  • Cost: Free

If you’re looking for more of a history lesson than a party, celebrate Juneteenth by diving into the rich legacy of the Gullah people, from their origins in West Africa to their migration into the American South and Mexico, where Juneteenth was first celebrated outside the United States in the 1870s. Put on by the Latino Arts Project, this two-day event includes historical storytelling from Gullah culture and a panel discussion between academics and historians. Don’t miss the Gullah singers performing powerful ceremonial hymns on Friday evening.

More Juneteenth Events Around Colorado

A Juneteenth Celebration In The Park in Colorado Springs, June 19; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; free
Mi Chantli’s 2025 Juneteenth Celebration in Boulder, June 19; 4–9 p.m.; free
FoCo Juneteenth 2025 in Fort Collins, June 20–21; Friday 6–9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; free