Juneteenth is next Monday, but the celebrations are happening this weekend.
The staple Juneteenth Music Festival, expected to be one of the largest in recent years, returns to Historic Five Points and a lot of other events to celebrate freedom are also planned.
But first, here's a little history of the holiday and its place in Denver:
Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom -- a whole two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
In 2021, the holiday was brought to the forefront of national conversation when President Joe Biden signed a bill making it a federal holiday. Denver, however, was ahead of the curve, traditionally hosting Juneteenth celebrations for at least 57 years.
Denver's first official Juneteenth celebration began in 1966, created by Otha P. Rice Sr. a Texas native who would later be known as the "father of Juneteenth."
The year 1983 was a particularly big year when an estimated 60,000 people showed up for the celebration. It was also the year a, dare we say, iconic picture of some stylish skaters in very short shorts cruising on 26th and Welton was taken. Kevin caught up with them last year.
That's enough history for now. Here's what you need to know about Juneteenth events worth checking out this week:
Juneteenth Music Festival
Date: June 17-18
Location: 2700 Welton St
R&B/Soul icon Musiq Soulchild headlines this year's two-day festival. It will also feature hundreds of local businesses, live music and a parade.
The parade will kick off festivities along the Welton Street corridor at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, followed by multiple block parties, including DJ Squizzy Taylor on 25th Street beginning at 2 p.m.
The Black People Know Things community group will also be hosting festival editions of Black culture trivia nights at Spangalang Brewery at 3 and 5 p.m.
Colorado's Ron Ivory will begin Sunday's festivities at 2 p.m. on the main stage, a performance by Lane-O at 3:30 p.m. on the 29th stage will follow and other performances will lead into the free Musiq Soulchild set at 6:30 p.m.
For a full schedule of performances and other information, click here.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Juneteenth 2023
Date: June 16-17
Location: 119 Park Ave.
On Friday, June 16, in collaboration between Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the Dream Create Inspire Tour, there will be an interactive musical performance that will showcase the talents of local musicians and honor the history of Black culture in Denver.
A culture gallery walk will begin at 6 p.m., followed by live performances by D-Trait, Wayne Watts and other members of the DCI Tour for a live mixtape show.
Tickets to the show, hosted at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, begin at $5.
On Saturday, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance will present a free dance performance beginning at 11 a.m. followed by a series of important conversations ranging from mental health in African American communities to the Black Arts Movement. At 2 p.m., Colorado Public Radio's Chandra Whitfield will moderate a discussion on the significance of Juneteenth and its profound connection to the Civil Rights Act. The segment will be part of a Colorado Matters show at a later date.
For more information, click here.
Unlimited Vibes: Afro Rave
Date: Saturday, June 17, Doors 8:30 p.m.
Location: 1902 Blake St.
Dance the night away to Afro Beats spun by Destiny Shynelle, Chris Milly, KDJ Above, DJ Ambitious Boy and DJ OnTheBeat at an Afro-futuristic party at Summit Music Hall.
General admission tickets begin at $20.
Black Pride Block Party
Date: Saturday, June 17, 12-5 p.m.
Location: Sie FilmCenter Parking Lot, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.
Celebrate Black Pride at a free block party, hosted by Black Pride Colorado and Denver Film, featuring live music by DJ Bella Scratch, food, drag performances by Geo Conjure Coco Bardot, Khrys'taaal and Felony Misdeanmor.
The free, family-friendly event is open to the public.
Denver Film will also screen "Black Panther" at Red Rocks Amphitheatre as part of the Film On The Rocks series on Monday, June 19, at 7 p.m.
"The Blackening" Premiere Screening
Date: Friday, June 16, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Harkins Theatres Northfield 18, 8300 Northfield Blvd.
Originally a Comedy Central skit, "The Blackening" focuses on a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend and find themselves trapped with a twisted killer in a remote cabin.
The exclusive premiere screening is hosted by local community group Black People Know Things.
Rhythm! Skate Party
Date: Thursday, June 15, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Location: 15100 E. Girard Ave. (Aurora)
In support of and presented by DJ Squizzy Taylor's Celebrate Life Foundation, this skate experience will be a celebration of 2000s hip hop, R&B and pop music.
Hosted at Skate City in Aurora, tickets are $20.
X Bar & Black Pride Colorado Presents: Zarah and the Chocolate Factory
Date: Saturday, June 17, 10:30-2 a.m.
Venue: X Bar, 629 E. Colfax Ave.
Presented by X Bar & Black Pride Colorado, this drag show will celebrate Black drag excellence and will be hosted by Zarah Misdemeanor and friends, with special guest LaLa Ri from "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 13 and "Rupaul's Drag Race: All Stars" season 8.
A portion of ticket sales will be donated directly back into Black Pride Colorado, and a meet & greet will begin at 9 p.m.
For tickets and more information, click here.
