This weekend, the annual Juneteenth festival will return for two days of celebration and live entertainment.
This year, 5,000 attendees are anticipated at the 2026 Rochester Juneteenth Festival. The two-day festival will take place June 19-20 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park located at 353 Court St.
What to know about Rochester’s Juneteenth festival
Admission is free and guests can park for free at the Strong National Museum of Play located at 1 Manhattan Square Drive.
Over the two days, attendees can expect live performances from local bands, dance groups and more.
Who is performing at the festival?
Headlining this year’s festival is Rochester’s very own Danielle Ponder.
Ponder is a Rochester native and gained international recognition as an R&B/Soul artist after her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, released in 2022. Ponder plans to premiere a new single during her performance.
Local artist Senojfromtheroc will also return to the festival stage as the headlining performer on June 19.
Festivalgoers can also expect over 75 vendors offering food, resources and more. Attendees will also have a chance to win a live painting by local Artist David Haygood and receive $5 vouchers to the onsite Foodlink curbside market for getting their blood pressure checked at the first-aid station. Vouchers will be available for a limited quantity.
Entry rules and what to bring
Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs. Festival organizers have also announced a new clear bag policy at all entry points to improve safety and efficiency for entry.
Festival schedule and activities
Here is a full itinerary for the festival:
June 19
Festival activities will take place from noon to 5 p.m.
June 20
Festival activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rock climbing, a bounce house, face painting, haircuts, local food and vendors will be available for guests
Juneteenth parade details and route
The parade will lineup on Main Street, between Plymouth Avenue and State Street. The parade begins at State Street.
The parade route will go up Main Street to East Avenue, turn right on East Avenue, taking East Avenue to Chestnut Street, and making a right on Chestnut Street.
The parade route ends at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Juneteenth festival returns with parade and Danielle Ponder
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
