Tulsa Juneteenth Festival honors Black history and culture on historic Greenwood Avenue

Tulsa’s Juneteenth Festival is in full swing, with thousands gathering in the historic Greenwood District to celebrate Black freedom, culture and entrepreneurship. The four-day event kicked off on Thursday and continues through Sunday, drawing an estimated 50,000 attendees.

This year marks the 11th annual festival in Tulsa, commemorating the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Organizers say the setting on Black Wall Street adds powerful context to the event and makes Tulsa’s celebration unlike any other.

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‘A celebration of freedom’

Executive Director Lauren Corbitt says the festival’s theme this year is “Family Reunion,” reflecting the welcoming, celebratory atmosphere throughout the Greenwood District.

“It is just a celebration of our freedom, a celebration of the culture of Tulsa and Black Wall Street, the historic Black Wall Street,” Corbitt said.

The event is free and open to all. Corbitt says organizers want people of all backgrounds to feel included and proud of the community’s legacy.

Performances, vendors and wellness events

Festival-goers can enjoy a full lineup of live music performances, food trucks, and dozens of local vendors. Each day also features themed events, including:

1. A health and wellness day with a 5K and one-mile run
2. A Saturday Entrepreneurs Brunch for networking and business growth
3. Community-focused discussions and family-friendly activities throughout the district

Black Wall Street spotlight

Tulsa’s Juneteenth Festival is rooted in the legacy of Greenwood, once known as Black Wall Street — a thriving center of Black business and culture before the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

“Black Wall Street is a historic place for Black business owners, Black entrepreneurs,” Corbitt said. “Through the festival we want to showcase those small businesses and all of the entrepreneurs that we have here in Tulsa.”

What’s ahead this weekend?

One of the festival’s most popular events is the Greenwood Block Party, happening Friday night from 6 to 11 p.m. Streets will be closed to traffic as crowds fill the area for live entertainment, food and dancing.

All weekend long, guests can take part in educational panels, browse local vendors and enjoy cultural performances.

A full schedule of events and other information can be found on the Tulsa Juneteenth website.

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