Celebrate Juneteenth in Chattanooga, TN

June 19 is Juneteenth, a celebration of when Texas finally got word of the emancipation and all slaves were freed.

DYK? On May 18, the Chattanooga City Council unanimously passed ordinance No. 13671, making Juneteenth an official paid holiday beginning in June 2022.

Podcast

Check out this podcast we recorded with guest Ric Morris, President + CEO of the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas.

Events

• Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas | June 18-25 | Various events | See the full lineup of events here.
• Big 9 Street Food Grand Opening | Sat., June 19 | 11 a.m. | 611 E. MLK Blvd. | Free entry | Celebrate with live music + street food like smoked meat tacos topped with slaw, turkey ribs, and veggie options.
• Black Wall Street of Chattanooga | Sat., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | Waterhouse Pavilion in Miller Park Plaza | Free entry | Buy some barbeque from BBQ Rowe while viewing a pictorial display of the Black Wall Street Historic Era and early African American Businesses in Chattanooga + watch PBS documentary, “Boss: The Black Business Experience.”
• Juneteenth Celebration | Sat., June 21 | 7-11 p.m.| The Renaissance Center, 630 North Ave., Rossville, GA | $55+ | Spend a night out with a live band, food, drink specials, and fireworks.
• Juneteenth Festival | Sat., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | The Bethlehem Center, 200 West 38th St. | Free | Celebrate Juneteenth by supporting local Black entrepreneurs.
• Juneteenth Kickback | Sat., June 19 | 1-4 p.m. | The Chattery | Free | Dance to tunes from DJMCPRO, buy drinks from Giddy-Up Bar, play games, or just pull up and chill.
• Juneteenth Weekend Art Gallery | Sat., June 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy, 818 Georgia Ave. | Listen to jazz on Patten Parkway with Ron Griffin + view a gallery showcasing some of Chattanooga’s amazing artists to kickoff a Juneteenth weekend celebration.
• Miss Juneteenth Chattanooga | Sat., June 19 | 3 p.m. | Tivoli Theatre | $33+ | Enjoy this film accompanied by an orchestra.
• Neutral Ground Crawfish Boil & Juneteenth Anniversary Celebration | Sat., June 19 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Proof Bar and Incubator | $60 | Eat a meal of crawfish, boudin, smoked turkey necks, corn, potatoes, and mushrooms from Chef Kenyatta Ashford— ticket sales close on Thurs., June 17.
• Taste of Lil Mama’s | Sat., June 19 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy, 818 Georgia Ave. | $25 | Sip on some complimentary signature cocktails + sample some OG Lil Mama’s favorites and fresh Lil Mama’s creations before they make their way to the menu.
• Black Professionals Celebrating Juneteenth | Mon., June 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Hunter Museum | Free entry | Enjoy a dance performance; Power, Passion & Pose: Photographs by Ken Browar and Deborah’ networking games; and treats from Passion Pies.