Tulsa’s Juneteenth Festival kicks off in the Historic Greenwood District

Tulsa's Juneteenth Festival kicked off Thursday night and runs through Sunday. June 19 marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free.

A Federal Holiday with Deep Roots

This is the 5th year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday. The celebration marks the true end of slavery in the U.S., when Union troops arrived in Texas in 1865 to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.

In Tulsa, the holiday carries special meaning. Events are taking place in the heart of the Historic Greenwood District, once home to the thriving Black business community known as Black Wall Street.

A Special Surprise Trip to Tulsa

Katonya Palmer surprised her husband with a trip to Tulsa to explore Greenwood and ended up staying for the Juneteenth celebration.

“He’s into finances, generational wealth, things like that. So, I thought it’d be great for him to visit Black Wall Street and it just so happened to be Juneteenth,” she said.

More Than Just a Celebration

Palmer says learning the history behind Juneteenth is just as important as celebrating it.

“It’s not taught as it should be, so just learning more about it outside of the school system—teaching the kids about it at my church, teaching my children about it.”

Visitors from Across Oklahoma

Dee Cornish came from Oklahoma City with her husband and cousin to take in the sights, sounds, and meaning of the weekend.

“I want to experience just the history of the Juneteenth because I’ve never experienced it before.”

Miss Juneteenth Shares Her Pride

Aaliyah Albert Oliver, crowned Miss Juneteenth of Oklahoma, is proud to represent her state at the national level later this year.

“I'm very honored to be Miss Juneteenth of Oklahoma and represent it [in] Alabama in October.”

“This Is a New Day”

Winifred Braggs and her husband are back for their second year at the Tulsa festival, enjoying both the celebration and the message behind it.

“I think it’s wonderful that this can be celebrated every year—not only just in Tulsa, but in all of the states people are recognizing what this is about.”

She says the holiday is more than just a remembrance—it's a symbol of unity.

“It’s a celebration not just for Black people, but for the nation as a whole. We know the past, we know what happened with it, but this is a new day.”

Weekend Events Continue

The celebration continues through the weekend, with music, cultural events, local vendors, and historical tours throughout the Greenwood District.

For a full schedule, visit tulsajuneteenth.org