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Juneteenth is the day when freedom from slavery became a reality for all African Americans. In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a national holiday, and Tempe was the first city in the Valley to officially deem Juneteenth a paid holiday on an annual basis. Making Juneteenth a holiday is just one way to draw awareness to the importance of this holiday. This year, Downtown Tempe honors Juneteenth through an annual Juneteenth Event that invites people of all races to share in and witness black joy.  

Events may seem, on the surface, as if they are superficial … some fun with games, food, and music. But they are so much more than that. For ages, events have allowed groups large and small to come together and celebrate life and culture. Festivals and events have commemorated seasons and victories, created togetherness after wars and hardships, and celebrated life with all its joy and trauma - through art, music and the breaking of bread. As humans, we crave community and moments to embrace culture. And we need to commemorate our most inspiring moments in history, so that the learning continues and struggles are never forgotten.  

This year, we are mixing things up a bit and bringing the block party vibes to Mill Avenue and giving you the first ever Juneteenth Block Party on June 15 from 7pm - 11pm. 

The Juneteenth Block Party is a FREE event that welcomes all ages to join in the celebration under the banner of Freedom of Expression, commemorating the strides made in the ongoing quest for racial equality and justice.

The event will feature DJs, musical and spoken word performances, hip-hop dance battles, live graffiti art, BBQ and soul food vendors, adult beverages, an old-skool ice cream truck, a retro roller skating rink, a hip-hop barber battle, double dutch, a mobile cigar lounge, a free photo booth, multiple interactive art experiences and much more!

Waymo is the Official Ride Hail Partner of the Juneteenth Block Party 2024.

More information on this event.

Waymo's Got You Covered 

Planning your transportation to and from the party? Download the Waymo One app and ride with the Official Ride Hail Partner for the Downtown Tempe 2024 Juneteenth Block Party!

Waymo is a self-driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to move around. Since their start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, we’ve been working towards improving the world’s access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes.

Special Acknowledgement for Walt Richardson

At 9:00 pm, musician Walt Richardson will receive a special acknowledgement from the stage and his friends and fans are encouraged to attend to honor this Tempe legend.

A little about Walt Richardson...

Walt Richardson was the first musician inducted into Tempe's Music Walk, with his plaque installed on November 7, 2014, at Fourth Street and Mill Avenue. Known for his funky reggae sound, Richardson has been a prominent figure in the Tempe music scene for over 30 years. He began as a street musician and had since released albums, toured globally, hosted a nationally syndicated show, led open mic nights at Tempe Center for the Arts, hosted a songwriter showcase on PBS, and been inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, among other achievements.

Juneteenth Swag

Celebrate Juneteenth in style with our exclusive commemorative T-shirts! Available for purchase now until the end of June, these shirts are a perfect way to honor and remember the Juneteenth celebration held in Tempe.

Order online for local pickup at AlphaGraphics, 815 W University Dr #101, Tempe, AZ 85281, or choose shipping for an additional fee.

You can snag one of these T-shirts ALL THROUGH JUNE!

Get Yours Today!

More Juneteenth Events in Downtown Tempe

The celebration continues with the 11th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 15 from 11am - 3pm at the Tempe History Museum. This free, family-friendly event features hands-on activities, performances, vendors, and more, celebrating the history and significance of Juneteenth. More information here.

Support Black-Owned Businesses

While you're downtown, make sure to stop by Caffe Boa, a fantastic Black-owned restaurant on Mill Avenue. They pride themselves on using the finest organic and natural ingredients to create delicious dishes. From handmade pastas to wild-caught seafood, every bite is a testament to their commitment to quality.

Check Them Out

Juneteenth Flags on Mill Avenue
Downtown Tempe is also honoring Juneteenth through Juneteenth flags displayed proudly through the streets of Downtown Tempe during the month of June. This is just another way to draw awareness to the importance of this holiday to our residents and visitors.

Share your moments with us on social media! Tag @downtowntempe and use hashtag #tempejuneteenth