Delaware (United States): It is not another day off. Not in Delaware. As Juneteenth draws near, small towns and cities across the First State are not marking a date on the calendar, they are breathing life into a story that was buried for too long and now demands to be felt, shared and celebrated.
Once a regional tradition, Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas finally learned they were free, has become a national holiday.
But here in Delaware, where the shadows of slavery lingered even after that historic day, the celebration is deeply personal. And in 2025, it is not only remembrance but a full-fledged cultural revival.
A State Comes Alive
The energy begins building early. Draped in colors, culture and community pride, Wilmington becomes the heartbeat of the movement on June 14. The Delaware Juneteenth Parade steps off from Rodney Square. As the march reaches Tubman-Garrett Park, the streets give way to the Freedom Festival – a joyful storm of live music, food trucks, local vendors and kids’ laughter filling the summer air.
That same day, the Walnut Street YMCA cranks up the soul with a block party, headlined by Best Kept Soul and flanked by DJs, food, swimming and all-ages fun – proving that remembering freedom can also mean dancing in it.
Art, Ancestry and Soul Food
When the actual holiday arrives on June 19, the Delaware Art Museum goes beyond surface-level celebration. Its Beyond Juneteenth Festival is where past meets present – with ceremonies honouring ancestors, live performances and art that tells untold stories.
Food from Black-owned kitchens like Drop Squad Kitchen and Alberta’s Soul Food serve up tradition on a plate, while local makers showcase handmade brilliance.
Juneteenth Goes Local and Personal
But Wilmington is not the only place making noise. In Dover, June 21 becomes a day of culture and connection. The city’s Juneteenth on the Green event follows a noontime parade with an afternoon festival – bounce houses for kids, beats from DJs and soul food for everyone.
Down in Rehoboth, the vibe is more intimate but no less powerful. The West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration turns the West Side Creative Market into a showcase of local Black and Brown artists, businesses and voices.
There is music, education, storytelling and yes, the perfect community fish fry, all within walking distance of the poignant West Rehoboth Legacy Mural.
And in Smyrna, two major gatherings offer both reflection and revelry. On June 19, The Juneteenth Experience at George C. Wright Jr. Park centers community and culture.
Then on June 21, Hilltop-Rosenwald Park welcomes families for food, performances and a special salute to local educators and heroes who continue to carry the freedom torch forward.
Why It Still Matters – Especially Here
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, thanks to former President Biden’s 2021 signing. In Delaware, it is one of 13 official state holidays. But in a place where freedom did not arrive with the news in 1865 – where slavery endured until the 13th Amendment – the celebration hits differently.
It is not only history and memory but healing and momentum.
In Delaware, Juneteenth is a living, moving and joyful declaration – we are still here. We are still free. And we are still rising.
Want to celebrate? Check out delawarejuneteenth.org or follow local city pages for full event details. Bring your family. Bring your heart. This holiday is observed and felt.