From parties in the park to poetry jams to golf outings, discover the best Juneteenth events taking place in Iowa in 2026.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Juneteenth—the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the US—from parties with live music and food to educational events hosted at museums or libraries.
In Iowa, there are a wide variety of Juneteenth events scheduled this year that offer something for everyone. Some of the events begin as early as June 13, and others will take place after the actual holiday on June 20. Keep reading to learn more about the 14 can’t-miss Juneteenth events and festivals happening in Iowa in 2026.
1. Ames’ Juneteenth Celebration
If you can’t wait until June 19 to start celebrating, don’t worry: Ames’ Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled for June 13. This free event will feature plenty of planned activities, live entertainment, arts and crafts, games, and food vendors.
Date: June 13
Location: Bandshell Park, 125 E. 5th St., Ames
2. Juneteenth Celebration Hike and Flower Pot Painting
Black Iowa Outdoors is also hosting a Juneteenth event several days before the actual holiday. Join the organization at Fort Des Moines Park on June 13 for a hike followed by a flower pot painting session.
Date: June 13
Location: Fort Des Moines Park, 7200 SE 5th St., Des Moines
3. Iowa Juneteenth Soiree
Iowa Juneteenth Observance hosts several annual Juneteenth events in Des Moines, and this year, the celebration kicks off with the organization’s Iowa Juneteenth Soiree. At this event, attendees can enjoy an evening of community and culture during a ticketed dinner at Palms Restaurant. The meal is served buffet style, and tickets cost $65 per person.
Date: June 15
Location: Palms Restaurant, 1905 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
4. Iowa Juneteenth Jubilee
Iowa Juneteenth Jubilee is the second event in Iowa Juneteenth Observance’s 2026 lineup. This event honors the organization’s high school essay award winners and recognizes community leaders. The evening also includes an open forum discussion, a silent auction with items provided by local businesses, and historical memorabilia and cultural displays.
Catering will be provided by several local restaurants. Tickets start at $50 per person.
Date: June 18
Location: State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines
5. Iowa Juneteenth Golf Outing
If playing a round or two of Topgolf sounds like your ideal holiday, register for the Iowa Juneteenth Golf Outing. Held at Topgolf Des Moines, this event invites attendees to show off their golf skills and compete for prizes.
Light refreshments will also be provided. Tickets are on sale for $45 per person.
Date: June 19
Location: Topgolf Des Moines, 7680 Coachlight Dr., West Des Moines
6. Iowa City Juneteenth Celebration
The Iowa City Juneteenth Celebration kicks off at 1 p.m. on June 19 with an opening ceremony. This year’s event—themed Juneteenth Brings Balance to America’s Celebration of Freedom—is free and open to the public.
Date: June 19
Location: South District Market Parking Lot, 925 Hwy 6 E., Iowa City
7. Juneteenth Poetry Jam
Whether you enjoy listening to other poets perform their work, or you have some of your own you want to share with an audience, the second annual Juneteenth Poetry Jam is the place to be.
This event, hosted by New City Poets, features a lineup of seven poets with varying styles, and once they’re done, the stage opens up to anyone else who wants to perform. Ticket prices start at $15.
Date: June 19
Location: xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines
8. Juneteenth Tea
Join Black Women 4 Healthy Living for an uplifting Juneteenth Tea featuring a keynote speech and a praise dance. This women-led event is free to attend, but registration is recommended.
Date: June 19
Location: Grand View University Student Center, 2811 E. 14th St., Des Moines
9. Miss Juneteenth of the Quad Cities Pageant
Witness the crowning of the fifth annual Miss Juneteenth and first-ever Junior Miss Juneteenth of the Quad Cities at this free event in Davenport. The non-profit organization Miss Juneteenth of the Quad Cities will be giving out more than $2,000 in scholarships to girls aged 10 to 14 at the pageant.
Date: June 19
Location: TMBC Lincoln Resource Center, 318 E. 7th St., Davenport
10. Summer Family Fridays: Juneteenth and the Civil War
This Juneteenth, head to the State Historical Museum of Iowa for a special edition of its Summer Family Fridays. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., children can design their own Civil War-inspired flag and learn about the role of flags and other symbols during the war.
Older visitors can join a guided tour, “Barbers, Buxton, and Beyond: Black Iowans and the Formation of Iowa” to learn about the role black Iowans played in shaping the state’s history before, during, and after the Civil War.
Date: June 19
Location: State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines
11. AAMI Juneteenth Festival
The 2026 Juneteenth celebrations don’t have to stop on June 19 thanks to the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI). The AAMI Juneteenth Festival, hosted at the museum, will include live music and other performances, food and merchandise vendors, and family-friendly activities like a talent show, face painting, and lawn games.
Date: June 20
Location: African American Museum of Iowa, 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids
12. Friends of MLK Juneteenth Festival
The Friends of MLK Juneteenth Festival is taking over Downtown Davenport on June 20 for an afternoon of culture and celebration. At this annual event, you can indulge in delicious food, explore the history tent, shop in the vendor area, and entertain younger attendees in the kids’ zone.
Date: June 20
Location: Downtown Davenport (2nd Street between Brady and Harrison streets)
13. Neighbor’s Day Celebration
Iowa Juneteenth is closing out its 2026 celebration with a free event. Neighbor’s Day Celebration is an outdoor event featuring fun for the whole family. There will be live music, food trucks, small businesses selling their goods, a health corner, and a kids’ zone with a variety of activities.
Date: June 20
Location: Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines
14. Ottumwa’s Juneteenth Celebration
Ottumwa’s Juneteenth Celebration is another outdoor celebration with tons of entertainment for all ages. The fifth-annual event, hosted in the city’s Central Park, will feature live music, family-friendly activities, food, and vendor booths.
Date: June 20
Location: Central Park, 106 N. Court St., Ottumwa
