Juneteenth

Celebrate Juneteenth in El Paso!

Join the City of El Paso in commemorating Juneteenth throughout the month of June. Experience a vibrant array of activities hosted by our Museums, Parks and Recreation, Libraries, and more. Discover educational exhibits, cultural events, community gatherings, and recreational fun for all ages. Let's come together to honor freedom, history, and community spirit.

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth, short for "June Nineteenth," commemorates the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and enforce the emancipation of all enslaved people. This event occurred two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. This year, Juneteenth will be observed on Thursday, June 19.

View the Juneteenth events below and be part of this meaningful celebration!

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Public Libraries
Streetcar
El Paso Zoo

Public Libraries

Juneteenth Cook-the-Book Club - Watermelon and Red Birds: Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor
June 12 | 1:00 p.m.
Dorris Van Doren Library
551 Redd Road
Pick a recipe that catches your eye (or taste buds) and mark it with a Post-it with your name, no repeat dishes here! We’ll copy it for you to take home. Then cook it up and bring it to our potluck on June 12 at 1:00 pm to share the deliciousness!

Juneteenth Teen Movie Night
June 12 | 4:30 p.m.
Dorris Van Doren Library
551 Redd Road
Teens, join us for a Juneteenth celebration with a screening of a powerful 2017 Best Picture nominee!

Juneteenth Junior Cook-the-Book Club
June 14 | 12:00 p.m.
Dorris Van Doren Library
551 Redd Road
Hey junior chefs! Pick a recipe, stick your name on it, and bring your dish to the Juneteenth potluck on June 14 at noon. Let’s eat and celebrate!

Juneteenth Jamboree Family Party
June 14 | 2:00 p.m.
Clardy Fox
5515 Robert Alva
Get ready for a fun-filled Juneteenth bash! Snacks, crafts, balloons, music, and yard games, something awesome for all ages.

Comedy Slasher Movie Night 18+
June 14 | 4:00 p.m.
Clardy Fox
5515 Robert Alva
We’re screening a hilarious slasher set on Juneteenth, complete with snacks and table fun. Rated R — 18+ only!

Juneteenth Crafts
June 16 | 4:30 p.m.
Enrique Moreno Lirbrary
7380 Alameda Ave
Make your own Perler bead keychains and friendship bracelets, perfect for sharing the love!

Juneteenth Week-Family Paint by Numbers
June 16-21 | All Day
Sergio Troncoso Library
9321 Alameda
Jump in and add your splash to our paint-by-number art, it’s a week-long Juneteenth masterpiece in the making!

Juneteenth Storytime
June 17 | 4:30 p.m.
Richard Burges Library
9600 Dyer Ste. C
Kids and their families can enjoy crafts, join a special activity, and snag free Juneteenth bracelets.

Juneteenth Preschool Storytime
June 17 | 10:00 a.m.
Armijo Library
620 E. 7th Street
Craft a colorful windsock and celebrate Juneteenth with us during a special storytime!

Juneteenth Storytime
June 17 | 4:30 p.m.
Armijo Library
620 E. 7th Street
Make your own beaded bracelet while enjoying a Juneteenth storytime!

Juneteenth Preschool Storytime
June 18 | 10:00 a.m.
Esperanza Acosta Library
12480 Pebble Hills
Dive into a Juneteenth storytime packed with crafts!

Juneteenth Preschool Storytime
June 18 | 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Park
3200 Copper
Celebrate Juneteenth with a fun storytime and hands-on crafts!

Same/Different Story Time
June 18 | 10:00 a.m.
Clardy Fox
5515 Robert Alva
Join us for a storytime all about what makes us unique and what brings us together! We’ll explore the fun ways people are different and the special things we share in common.

Juneteenth Crafts
June 18 | 3:00 p.m.
Westside Library
125 Belvidere
Let’s celebrate Juneteenth with awesome stories and a fun craft!

Juneteenth Special Storytime
June 21 | 10:00 a.m.
Jose Cisneros Library
1300 Hawkins
Celebrating Juneteenth together with stories and a craft.

Photo of El Paso Main Library

Streetcar

Track the Streetcar by downloading the free Ride Sun Metro app available for iOS and Android devices. No passes or tickets are needed.

Juneteenth Read & Ride
June 14 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Arts District Stop
Celebrate Juneteenth with the El Paso Libraries with a special read and ride.

El Paso's Road to Freedom
June 14 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Convention Center Stop at Henry Trost and Santa Fe
Join in on the Juneteenth festivities! Get ready for El Paso’s Road to Freedom with Tomas Arellano and immerse yourself in a captivating tour through history. This FREE event will start at the Convention Center Stop downtown, at Santa Fe and Henry Trost.

Celebrating Juneteenth with Jamal Streeter
June 20 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Convention Center, at Santa Fe & Henry Trost
Catch a ride at the Convention Center Stop downtown and vibe to his original R&B Soul tracks.

El Paso Zoo

Juneteenth with the Zoo
June 19 | All Day

The El Paso Zoo reflects on the significance of Juneteenth. On Thursday, June 19, visitors will save a 20% discount off regular admission when mentioning "Juneteenth Celebration" for a fun-filled day at the Zoo.

Find Zoo hours, ticket prices, and more at https://www.elpasozoo.org

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