Map Shows Where Juneteenth Celebrations Are Being Canceled

Multiple Juneteenth celebrations have been canceled in different pockets of the country.

Events planned in Los Angeles, Detroit, Ohio and Tennessee have been canceled in recent days for different reasons, with some citing “unforeseen circumstances” while others mentioned rising costs.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress that made Juneteenth, or June 19, a federal holiday. There are 28 states (and the District of Columbia) that legally recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.

Entertainment company 313 Presents, which promotes and produces concerts and events at six venues across southeast Michigan, issued a notice on its website saying that its Juneteenth event featuring The Commodores, The Pointer Sisters and Detroit Youth Choir at the Fox Theatre will no longer take place due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

“Refunds are available at point of purchase,” the statement said. “Tickets purchased by phone or online will be automatically refunded. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park Village issued a similar message, saying it is postponing its Juneteenth event.

The village features 300 Black-owned businesses, three main stages, two DJ stages and one spoken-word stage.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances and the rising costs required to ensure a safe and compliant event, we have decided to postpone this year’s Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival to 2025,” read a message posted online.

It thanked supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local lawmakers, but said that fundraising goals were not met to “ensure a footprint that would [be] safe and hold the integrity of [the] event at scale.”

“Our commitment to providing a high-quality and safe festival experience necessitates this difficult decision,” it added. “We refuse to compromise on the integrity and spirit of Juneteenth by delivering anything less than what our community deserves.

“The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival is more than just an event. It is a celebration of our shared history, a testament to our resilience, and a vibrant expression of our culture.”

A Juneteenth celebration scheduled for June 15 in Hamilton, Ohio, was canceled last month, also due to “unforeseen circumstances.” They intend to try again next year.

Other cities in Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron and Cincinnati, are still hosting parades and events this weekend.

A Juneteenth event in Morristown, Tennessee, was canceled due to “personal reasons,” according to local ABC affiliate WATE.

On Monday, the White House celebrated Juneteenth with a concert on the South Lawn that included acts like Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle.

“Black history is American history,” Biden told the crowd during the event. “The day reminds us that we have a helluva lot more work to do. Let’s keep marching. Let’s keep the faith.”