Every June 19, Black Americans come together to celebrate Juneteenth, the day that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery on June 19, 1865.
And food, which sits at the center of any Black celebration and gathering, also connects to larger moments in history, from pioneering Black farmers to James Hemings and Hercules Posey, both enslaved chefs of former presidents.
Across the U.S., Juneteenth celebrations have evolved from local neighborhood gatherings into destination-defining culinary events showcasing the rich history, social practices and modern innovations of cuisine across the African Diaspora.
Here are four Juneteenth food festivals to venture out to this month.
A vendor at EZ Boyz Lemonade serves customers at the festival's outdoor market. Photo Credit: The Juneteenth Foodways Festival
Hosted by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site on June 12, this food festival in Indianapolis is entering its fifth year of celebrating Black culture, community and cuisine. The event is built around the legacy of Dolly Johnson, who was the White House chef for President Benjamin Harrison in the late 19th century.
Clients can walk historic grounds alongside live historical reenactments of Dolly Johnson's life by Freetown Village, a living history troupe depicting Black life in 1870s Indiana, while sampling food from more than 30 local Black-owned food trucks and culinary partners.
Expect a drumline performance and food demonstrations; 100% of the day-of food profits goes directly back to the independent Black vendors.
An aerial view of the outdoor food festival in Brooklyn. Photo Credit: Curt Saunders/Juneteenth Food Festival at Weeksville
For those seeking a completely Black-founded and Black-led cultural experience, New York's Weeksville on June 19 is the spot. Founded in 1838, Weeksville in Brooklyn was one of America's largest free Black communities. Today, the heritage center partners with Black-Owned Brooklyn to host a free outdoor food market.
Thanks to 31 Black-owned restaurants, pop-ups and food trucks, travelers and locals can sample Texas-style hot links, Jamaican jerk chicken, Afro-vegan eats and West African suya all at once, making it a premier domestic destination for global flavors.
Thousands pack the grounds of Summerfest as a sky glider carries festival-goers above the crowd. Photo Credit: JON/Summerfest
Milwaukee's Summerfest brings Wisconsin residents and visitors together for a food-centric experience. In partnership with the Northcott Neighborhood House -- a historic, Black-led community organization -- this event takes over the Potawatomi Founder's Club directly on the city's famous lakefront festival grounds on June 20.
Guests can sample dishes from participating vendors such as Atwood Hwy BBQ Company, Dear Florence Sweets, Monnie's Kitchen and more. All proceeds from the ticketed event go directly to the participating entrepreneurs.
This free Juneteenth celebration on June 20 is the heartbeat of SoulFeast Week, a 10-day festival from June 18 to 28 celebrating culture, cuisine and community in Lexington, Ky. SoulTeenth spotlights Central Kentucky as a top destination for soul food, Black entrepreneurship and community joy.
Hosted in partnership with the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative, the event transforms downtown Lexington into a high-energy marketplace. Expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees, this family-friendly festival features free programming for all ages and a massive lineup of local and national vendors.