The Fourth of July is still a couple of weeks away, but on June 19, Utahns are celebrating our country’s second independence day.
In 2022, Juneteenth became a state holiday in Utah after Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law sponsored by Rep. Sandra Hollins, the first Black woman to serve in the Utah Legislature. Juneteenth has been celebrated by many Black Americans for decades, but the holiday gained broader recognition in 2020, after the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others ignited widespread protests and increased attention toward racial injustice.
Juneteenth celebrates emancipation from slavery. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it could not be enforced in the Confederate-controlled states. When the Civil War ended in 1865, Texas, the farthest west state in the Confederacy, was the last state to officially end slavery—on June 19, 1865, Union general Gordon Granger told enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over and that they were free. Since the end of the Civil War, the anniversary has been a local celebration of the end of slavery. Over time, Juneteenth expanded across the country, becoming a larger celebration of Black history and culture in the U.S.
Betty Sawyer, the Director of the African-American community group Project Success Coalition, led Utah’s first Juneteenth celebration 32 years ago. Sawyer and the Ogden-based Project Success Coalition still organize the Utah Juneteenth Festival, which this year includes a flag raising at the Salt Lake County Government Center, a three-day festival in Ogden and other community events throughout the month. Here are Juneteenth celebrations presented by the Project Success Coalition and other ways to honor Juneteenth this weekend and month in Utah:
WHAT: 2025 Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration
WHERE: The Gateway
WHEN: June 19, 12–10 p.m.
WHAT: Salt Lake Juneteenth After Party
WHERE: The Gateway
WHEN: June 19, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
WHAT: West Valley City Juneteenth Celebration: Fighting for Freedom
WHERE: Utah Cultural Celebration Center | 1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City
WHEN: June 19, 6-8 p.m.
WHAT: USU Juneteenth Community BBQ
WHERE: Bridger Park, 1181 N. 400 West, Logan
WHEN: June 19, 5-8:30 p.m.
WHAT: Drue x Local Disorder Presents: Juneteenth
WHERE: Metro Music Hall
WHEN: June 19 at 7p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth Party at the SunTrapp
WHERE: The Sun Trapp, SLC
WHEN: June 19, shows at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth at Policy Kings
WHERE: Policy Kings Brewery
WHEN: June 19, 9-12 a.m.
WHAT: Shop and Support Black-Owned Artists and Musicians at the 2025 Utah Arts Festival
WHERE: Library Square, Downtown SLC
WHEN: June 19-22
WHAT: And Still We Rise: Juneteenth Panel Discussion
WHERE: J. Willard Marriot Library, University of Utah
WHEN: June 20, 12-1:30 p.m.
WHAT: Real Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration
WHERE: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
WHEN: June 21, 7:30 p.m.
WHAT: High Wasted–Juneteenth Edition!
WHERE: Blue Gene’s
WHEN: June 21 at 16 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth 5K Freedom Run/Walk
WHERE: Mountain View Park, 1201 Mountain View Boulevard Woods Cross
WHEN: June 21, 9 a.m.
WHAT: Violet Hour SLC: Freedom Day Roll Bounce
WHERE: Millcreek Commons
WHEN: June 26, 4-11:30 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth Healing & Reconciliation Vigil
WHERE: International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park
WHEN: June 28, 4-6 p.m.
You can find a complete list of black-owned businesses on the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce website, here. Happy Freedom Day!
Read more stories like this and all of our Community coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
