On June 19, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger and Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. 

Juneteenth is now a holiday that commemorates the emancipation. Here are some Juneteenth events happening in Tucson.

Visit the African American Museum of Southern Arizona

• Where: African American Museum of Southern Arizona, 1303 E. University Blvd. Room 244
• When: Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to noon

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona is located inside the University of Arizona campus. They will be open on the 15th to celebrate Juneteenth and then the festivities will continue in the Juneteenth Festival.

History of Tucson Juneteenth Lecture

• Where: Pima Room, Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd.
• When: Tuesday, June 18 at 2-3 p.m.

Senior lecturer of Africana Studies Johnny Bowens, Ph.D., will be giving a lecture on the History of Tucson Juneteenth. It will take place in the Pima Room in the University of Arizona’s Student Union Memorial Center.

54th Annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival

• Where: Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
• When: Saturday, June 15 at 4-10 p.m.

The annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival presented by the African American Museum of Southern Arizona will take place at the Kino Sports Complex starting at 4 p.m. It is a family friendly event and it’s free to the public. There will be local vendors, a car show, live entertainment, free toys and a kid zone for children and food trucks with food for sale. The festival has a clear bag policy, so no regular bags allowed for safety.

Pan-African/Black Artist Exhibition

• Where: The Drawing Studio, 2760 N Tucson Blvd.
• When: Wednesday, June 19 at 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hosted by The Drawing Studio in collaboration with Living2Portraits, the Pan-African Pop-Up gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be refreshments and an artist talk and panel featuring master teaching artist Randiesia Fletcher.

“Miss Juneteenth”

• Where: Dunbar Pavilion, 325 W. 2nd St.
• When: Saturday, June 15 from 1-4 p.m.

The Tucson Black Film Club is screening “Miss Juneteenth,” donations appreciated. “Miss Juneteenth” is a drama movie following a retired beauty queen who is a single mom to her rebellious teen daughter as she helps her prepare to compete in the Miss Juneteenth pageant, which is a real contest. A discussion will follow the screening.

Juneteenth and Beyond – Culture of Food

• Where: Cork and Craft, 1303 E. University Blvd.
• When: Tuesday, June 25 at 3-5 p.m.

The University of Arizona’s Cork and Craft restaurant will have a Juneteenth event full of culinary experiences, conversations and more. There will be an ice breaker at 3 p.m., a lecture on food and culture at 3:30 p.m., a culinary tasting with executive chef Michael Omo and Johnique Woods, MS, and closing remarks with Lehman Benson, Ph.D. at 4:45 p.m. General admission is $25.