Iowa Juneteenth

Iowa Juneteenth Iowa Juneteenth is a program of The Des Moines Urban Experience. The Iowa Juneteenth Observance has been in existence for 35 years.

We commemorate the June 19th, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America.

The Official Iowa Juneteenth Line Up for June Events!! You can purchase ticket for events that are required at https://w...
05/29/2026

The Official Iowa Juneteenth Line Up for June Events!! You can purchase ticket for events that are required at https://www.iowajuneteenth.org/events.html

** Friday June 7: Embrace The Race 5K will be held at Raccoon River Park Trail, 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines with activities beginning at 12:30pm. Enjoy an afternoon full of fitness and health. Sign up for the run and get active.

** Monday, June 15: Iowa Juneteenth Soiree will be held at Palms Restaurant, 1905 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines from 5pm - 7pm. A special catered meal provided by Palms will be provided. Enjoy an evening of community and culture as we prepare for a week of celebration. Limited seating available.

**Thursday, June 18: Iowa Juneteenth Jubilee will be held at the State Historical Building, 600 E Locust Street, Des Moines starting at 5pm. Join us for an evening to honor our high school essay award winners, community leader recognition, and an open forum discussion. Food catered by Mama Africa Catering, AJ's Catering, Barrata's Restaurant, Ruby B's Kitchen, and Chellie's Sugar Shack. Limited seating available.

**Friday, June 19: JUNETEENTH DAY!!! Iowa Juneteenth Golf Outing will be held at Top Golf Des Moines, 7680 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines from 9am - 12pm. Bring the team or come as an individual to enjoy a game of Black Party. Hit anywhere on the green to score points and the highest earner wins. Prizes provided to the top leaders of the game. We are offering (2) sessions. Light refreshments provided. Limited seating available.

**Saturday, June 20: Neighbor's Day Celebration will be held at Western Gateway Park, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines from 12pm - 6pm. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets!! The entire family and friends for a day of live music, great food, small business shopping, health connections, and community resources. We will provide a children play area full of fun activities. This is FREE to the everyone!!

05/29/2026

Last day to register to participate in the Iowa Juneteenth Neighbor's Day Celebration! Get your registration in and let’s celebrate!

05/29/2026
05/29/2026

Paint Your Passion and help contribute to the vibrancy and strength of our City!

This immersive, community-centered art experience is rooted in creativity, self-expression and community building will be led by local artist, Demri Haven (Tangible Lotus). Des Moines residents of all skill levels are encouraged to sign up.

When: Saturday, June 6, 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Drake Park Enclosed Shelter (2300 Drake Park Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311)
Register at DSM.city/ImpactEvents. Registration will close once we reach our capacity.

05/29/2026

This site contains thousands of digitized resources created by Black Iowans from the 19th through 21st centuries. Explore local newspapers, correspondence, oral histories, artifacts, photographs, programs, and other resources. Topics covered include everyday life, major events, World War I, social m...

05/29/2026

Pride Month starts here.

For more than five years, the Pride Walk has marked the official opening of Pride Month in Des Moines - a reminder that our community is still here, still visible, and still raising our voices together.

Join us as we march to the Capitol in response to ongoing legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ Iowans. Bring your flags, your signs, your friends, or simply yourself.

📍 Meet at Historic City Hall
⏰ 5:15 PM meetup | 5:30 PM walk begins

Afterward, we’ll head to The Garden rooftop patio to celebrate q***r joy together.

Learn more:
https://buff.ly/niCo1sV

05/26/2026

We believe art is a way to freely express yourself and unite others together, which is why we integrate art into our inclusive movement race! We’re excited to offer free face painting by to our participants thanks to our generous sponsors! Register now during early bird pricing!

All Bodies, All Paces, All Abilities… an inclusive movement race for everybody to feel united. Embrace the Race with us Sunday June 7th!

https://runtheday.com/register/detail/embrace-the-race-5k-2026-n34/?source=

🤎🖤🤍🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️♿️🛼🚴🏽‍♀️🚶‍♀️🏃🏾‍♂️🧑🏼‍🦼‍➡️🐕‍🦺

📍Raccoon River Park

🎽 Packet Pick Up 12-1pm

🎨 Interactive Art, Vendors 12:30-2pm

🎶 Live Muisc with artists and Judgement Free Dance Party

📖 Children Storytime with local authors and reading Eden’s Money Magic

📚 Free Book is your medal thanks to

🛝 Inclusive Playground next to Activities for kids to play

🔥 Inclusive Warm Up

🧑🏽‍🎨 Face Painting with .art.entertainment

05/26/2026

Vendor application closes this Friday to participate in Iowa Juneteenth Neighbor's Day Celebration. Get signed up today!

🏆Congratulations 🏆 to our team for being recognized as Women of Influence leaders🎉 Join us on July, 30 to recognize this...
05/21/2026

🏆Congratulations 🏆 to our team for being recognized as Women of Influence leaders🎉
Join us on July, 30 to recognize this milestone.

Address

Des Moines, IA
50309

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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