Summerfest Unveils First-Ever Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Partnership

MILWAUKEE, Wis (Civic Media) — The Big Gig has big plans for Juneteenth this year. Summerfest and Northcott Neighborhood House announced plans Monday for the first-ever Juneteenth Day celebration at the music festival on June 19, 2025.

The event will begin at 6 p.m., following Milwaukee’s traditional Juneteenth parade and festival on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Summerfest will host an opening ceremony recognizing Juneteenth Day with performances, remarks from representatives, and acknowledgment of Juneteenth scholarship recipients.

Organizers revealed the initial lineup for the celebration, including Gary Clark Jr., Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ginuwine, Joy Oladokun and Mike Jones. Additional local musicians will be announced in 2025.

Sarah Pancheri, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival Inc., said, “We are honored to develop a new partnership with Northcott Neighborhood House to commemorate Juneteenth Day.”
Tony Kearney, executive director of Northcott Neighborhood House, added, “Our partnership with Summerfest is significant to sharing the Juneteenth Day celebration and history with our city and visitors.”

The Juneteenth programming will take place across multiple stages at the Summerfest grounds, marking a historic collaboration between two of Milwaukee’s longstanding community events.