Several events are being held across North Texas to commemorate the day slaves in Texas learned that they had been freed.

From parades to festivals and even free food, hundreds gather every year to take part in celebrating Juneteenth. But, the holiday surpasses the physical celebrations, and East Texas leaders say it's about celebrating freedom.

In Odessa, the council is hosting its 26th annual Juneteenth celebration. This year’s theme is “Western and Bling,” a nod to both culture and flair and organizers are encouraging attendees to show up in cowboy boots, carry fans and add plenty of sparkle.

In Denver, for example, more than a dozen companies backed out of supporting the Juneteenth Music Festival, which is one of the city’s biggest celebrations of the holiday, according to Norman Harris, executive director of JMF Corporation, which puts on the event.

The City of Kilgore celebrated Juneteenth with a parade and cookout on Saturday. The Kilgore Legacy Foundation hosted the event and presented scholarships to their 2025 Juneteenth king and queen for essays they wrote on freedom.

Join San Antonio for heartfelt Juneteenth celebrations. Enjoy parades, concerts, markets, and immerse yourself in a rich historical heritage.

Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come against great odds and a call to action to continue investing in the prosperity of Black communities.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of the slavery in the United States. But when was the holiday created, and how did it get its name?