Juneteenth 2023

DATE: June 14 - 19
TIME: Times vary
PRICE: Prices vary

Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth at the Garden. Stroll through the trails to enjoy a day filled with activities that celebrate Black culture and traditions.

Desert Botanical Garden honors  Juneteenth’s legacy of change by celebrating Black culture and excellence through storytelling, history, art, performance, community discussion and entrepreneurship.

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of chattel slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, tens of thousands of enslaved Africans in Texas were emancipated, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. Initially a Texas state holiday, Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday on June 17, 2021, and is observed on June 19.  

June 14 | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Free | Online 
Free Virtual Webinar: For the Culture II: Black and Brown Voices of Environmental Justice
Join this community discussion with local Black and Brown environmental justice voices to discuss the impact of environmental issues that affect communities. Register here.

Speakers:

• Darren Chapman, Chief Executive Officer, Tiger Mountain Foundation
• Masavi Perea, Deputy Director, Chispa AZ
• Calvin Terrell, Founder, Social Centric Institute

June 15 | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. |  $16.95 | Dorrance Hall
Centered. A storytelling experience
Desert Botanical Garden is partnering with Ebone “Muse” Johnson to bring a special storytelling event to the Garden. Centered. is a Phoenix, AZ based storytelling experience highlighting the diversity of voice and lived experiences within the Black community. Join us for a special Juneteenth-themed storytelling event on Liberation. This event will center on a unique perspective/experience through the eyes of various Black people of the diaspora. Join us to hear stories of freedom and transformation through individual liberation stories. A welcome drink will be included with the purchase of a ticket. Snacks will be available to purchase. 21+ event.
Tickets here.

June 16 

Storytime and Children & Family Pop-Up Activity  | 9 – 10 a.m. | Included with Garden admission or membership| Archer House
Juneteenth storytime and activity included with admissions for children five and younger and their caregivers.

Juneteenth Evening Festival | 6 – 9 p.m.. | Included with Garden admission or membership | Sunset Plaza
This family event celebrates freedom, community and spotlights the African American experience with musical performances, dance, food trucks, a live painting experience with Nik Ridley, an onsite market with Archwood Exchange and more family-friendly activities.

Live Entertainment

• 6 – 6:30 p.m. | DJ J-ME LEE
• 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. | Jonathan Levingston
• 7:15 – 7:30 p.m. | DJ J- ME LEE
• 7:30 – 8 p.m. | Kawambe-Omowale
• 8 – 8:15 p.m. | DJ J-ME LEE
• 8:15 – 9 p.m. | Arouna Diarra Music

Vendors

• New Age Vision 
• Archwood Exchange
• Trex Leather
• New Age Vision LLC
• BeyondClassy_LLC 
• Open World Insurance LLC
• Elive8’d Souls
• Starseed Healing
• CreateByDVO
• Royal Bling Accessories
• Sugar Puffs 
• Naajeefxprinting
• Mel N Libby’s
• Flavors PHresh Vegan, Fire Food
• Artist Nik Ridley
• Elive8’d Soul
• NaajeeFxPrinting

Food Trucks