Celebrating Juneteenth in Wichita — a parade, concerts, free swim days and more

The 11th annual Juneteenth ICT celebration has already started, offering the Wichita community many ways to celebrate and reflect.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. The holiday honors June 19, 1865, the day more than 250,000 African Americans in Texas learned President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years prior.

“Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures,” according to Juneteenth ICT. “Juneteenth has been celebrated in Wichita, KS, since the early 1900s, in homes and gathering neighborhoods, with celebrations involving music, food, tools for economic uplift, and unity among African American communities.”

Here’s a quick look at some of the events celebrating Juneteenth in Wichita this week.

Juneteenth ICT Film Festival

6:30 p.m. June 16, Dunbar Theatre, 1007 N. Cleveland

This free, inaugural event will feature films inspired by the 2026 Juneteenth ICT theme, Standing on Business.

Juneteenth Mini Black Arts Festival

7 p.m. June 18, Simply Sangria Wine Co., 243 N. Cleveland

Spoken Word Productions is hosting “A Simply Poetry Juneteenth Celebration” and Mini Black Arts Festival featuring artist Byrd the Overcomer. Doors open at 6 p.m. Entry is free.

Juneteenth Free Swim Days

1-6 p.m. June 19-21, McAfee Pool, 1240 E. 14th St. North

The public is invited to swim at McAfee Pool for free during the Juneteenth Celebration.

Juneteenth ICT Celebration in the Park

6:30-9:30 p.m. June 19, 11:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. June 20, 6-8 p.m. June 21, McAdams Park, 1329 E. 16th St. North

Juneteenth ICT is hosting live music, vendors, food trucks and more throughout Juneteenth weekend. Kids are free, but adults must purchase an armband for $10. Armbands can be purchased at the event or in advance at Jewel Angels, Left on Read and 2Beatz Boutique. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to listen to music, including a Gospel Concert Finale featuring Maurette Brown Clark at 6 p.m. June 21.

Juneteenth ICT Parade

10 a.m. June 20

The parade begins at Holy Savior Catholic Church Academy, near 13th and Hillside, and will travel west down 13th Street to end at McAdams Park.