Juneteenth 2026 In Skokie: Celebration, Local Treats, Music

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie's annual Juneteenth celebration will take place June 13 at Oakton Park from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with an opening ceremony, speakers, vendors, performances and a DJ scheduled throughout the afternoon.

The event comes ahead of Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, the federal holiday commemorating the day in 1865 when word reached the last enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended and they were free.

That was more than two months after the end of the Civil War and about two and one-half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, is the oldest-known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.

This year, Skokie's theme is “Lift as We Climb.” The program begins at 12 p.m. with an opening ceremony and speakers. At 12:30 p.m., the schedule lists a performance to be announced along with vendors. Another performance to be announced is set for 1 p.m., followed by a dance performance at 2 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the event will close with a DJ, a closing speaker and acknowledgment.

The celebration is organized by the Juneteenth Planning Committee. The committee includes representatives from Skokie United, Skokie Public Library, the Village of Skokie, the Skokie Park District and local schools, including School District 69 and District 219.

“Our shared mission is to create inclusive spaces that foster reflection, celebration, and connection, ensuring Juneteenth not only commemorates freedom, but also brings our diverse community together in the spirit of unity, equity, and hope for the future,” organizers said in a statement.

Because Juneteenth is an official U.S. holiday, banks, federal offices and post offices in Skokie will be closed, according to the source. Many state, county and local government offices will also be closed, including Skokie Village Hall and courts statewide. Garbage pickup in Skokie will take place the day before the holiday, while recycling will be collected as normal.