St. Petersburg joins cities across the U.S. in honoring Juneteenth this Friday, June 19. The celebration, which dates back to 1865, commemorates the emancipation of 250,000 slaves in Texas, the last bastion of slavery during the Civil War. While Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a statewide holiday in 1980, there are records of Juneteenth celebrations in the Tampa Bay dating back to 1864.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday.
The legacy of celebrating emancipation continues with festivities across the region this weekend:
June 19 and 20. Freedom Conference 2026, Boyd Hill Nature Reserve Pioneer Settlement & USF St. Petersburg Student Center, St. Pete. Sponsored by the Pinellas County Urban League, the Sankofa Freedom Conference 2026 is celebrating Juneteenth by remembering “where we’ve been and recommit[ing] to where we’re going.” The two-day conference will feature agribusiness demonstrations, line dancing competitions, financial empowerment workshops and more. $75-250 Tickets here…