LOCAL

Here's how you can celebrate Juneteenth 2025 around the Des Moines metro

Portrait of Cooper Worth Cooper Worth
Des Moines Register

Four years after it was made a federal holiday, Juneteenth 2025 marks a day of celebrating the abolition of slavery in the United States.

The origins of Juneteenth date back to June 19, 1865 — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — when the Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Here are ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in the Des Moines area this year:

Juneteenth events before June 19 in central Iowa

Celebrations will take place in the days leading up to June 19. Here's where you'll find early celebrations across central Iowa:

Ames Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrate Juneteenth in Ames with live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, games and much more.

  • When: Saturday, June 14, 12:30-5 p.m.
  • Where: Ames Bandshell Park, 125 E. Fifth St., Ames
  • Price: Free

Black Iowa Outdoors' Juneteenth Hike

Black Iowa Outdoors is hosting a Juneteenth Hike at Fort Des Moines Park in Des Moines. The hike's total distance is 1.3 miles, according to the event organizers.

  • When: Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 a.m. Hike starts at 9 a.m.
  • Where: Fort Des Moines Park, 7200 SE Fifth St., Des Moines
  • Price: Free

Des Moines Public Library

The Des Moines Public Library starts its week-long Juneteenth events with a presentation about the holiday's history at its Central Library location. For more information on DMPL's Juneteenth events, visit the library's website.

  • When: Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m.
  • Where: Des Moines Public Library - Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines
  • Price: Free

Living History Farms

Join Living History Farms in celebrating Juneteenth with a historic baseball game, free pizza and more. Attendees must pay admission fees, but all presentations and activities are included.

  • When: Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Where: 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
  • Price: $20 for ages 13+, $15 for ages 2-12, seniors, free for children under 2.

NAACP Des Moines

The Des Moines branch of the NAACP is honoring the black officers and Women's Army Auxiliary Corps who trained at Fort Des Moines during the First and Second World Wars.

Juneteenth events on June 19

Additional events will take place on the actual holiday. Here are some of the options near Des Moines:

​Iowa Juneteenth Observance 

The Iowa Juneteenth Observance is kicking off a multi-week celebration of Juneteenth with a Juneteenth Jubilee on June 19. Organizers will follow this event with a Neighbor's Day Celebration on June 21 and a charity golf outingon June 27.

  • When: Thursday, June 19. The networking event starts at 5 p.m.
  • Where: State Historical Building, 600 E Locust St., Des Moines
  • Price: $35 per ticket.

Black Women 4 Healthy Living

The nonprofit organization Black Women 4 Healthy Living is hosting its fifth annual Juneteenth Tea, with the theme for this year's event being "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made." This year's keynote speaker is Des Moines Minister La-Tica Paige, and a lunch will be provided. Registration in advance is required via Eventbrite.

  • When: Thursday, June 19. The event lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and starts at 12 p.m.
  • Where: Grand View University Student Center, 2811 E. 14th St., Des Moines

Fleur Cinema

Des Moines' Fleur Cinema is hosting a free Pride and Juneteenth showing of the movie "Moonlight," which is about "a young African-American man who grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood," according to Fleur's description of the film.

The screening is free, and any donations will benefit One Iowa and the NAACP.

  • When: Thursday, June 19, at 9 p.m.
  • Where: 4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines

Ottumwa Juneteenth Celebration

The Ottumwa Juneteenth Celebration is hosting its annual ceremony, featuring entertainment, music, fellowship, cultural celebration and more. Entertainment includes a live performance by the Ottumwa Municipal Band and a screening of a Juneteenth documentary film.

  • When: Thursday, June 19, 12-8 p.m.
  • Where: Central Park, 106 N. Court St., Ottumwa
  • Price: Free

Underground Comedy: Des Moines

Celebrate Juneteenth with a Comedy Penthouse show from Underground Comedy: Des Moines. The show's headliner is Dannie Tee. The host is Perry Thompson III, and Bernard Bell, Clif Antoine and Quionez Berry will also perform.

  • When: Thursday, June 19. Showtime at 7 p.m.
  • Where: 1312 Locust St., Des Moines. Enter through the east side doors and take the elevator to the third floor.
  • Price: $10 in advance via Eventbrite, $15 at the door

Know of an event we missed? Email iowaconnect@gannett.com with details for consideration.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.