Juneteenth 2025 celebration in Seattle with families and children dancing with rainbow and neon fans in front of a historic building.

A member of PNW Steppaz gives a little girl a few pointers on how to use a fan when dancing to "Boots on the Ground."(Photo: Susan Fried)

Black Joy Filled the Air: Scenes From Juneteenth 2025 in Seattle

Published on:

Jun 26, 2025, 12:15 am

3 min read

Black joy was in the air last Thursday as large crowds attended Juneteenth celebrations at Jimi Hendrix Park and the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). The events were separate but close enough to draw people to both events.

NAAM had performances by Living Voices, a community conversation, a craft room, and the Black Art Takeover artist market inside the museum. "Selma is Now" and "History Lives Here: the Power of Community and Commitment" were two new exhibits that opened on Juneteenth. The Skate to Freedom Party, Sports Skills and Drills, and movement classes with Adaeze Medani happened outside in Judkins Park.

The Africatown Community Land Trust's Summer of Soul Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Jimi Hendrix Park included performances by local artists Zaina the Phenom, Isaiah Banks, and Samara Reign, as well as popular dance teams Kutt 'N' Up and the PNW Steppaz. Headliner, Grammy Award-winning artist October London, topped off the event by performing to a crowd of appreciative fans. In addition to performers, dozens of vendors sold food, art, clothes, and other products at a pop-up market in the park nearby.

Juneteenth 2025 celebration in Seattle featuring a speaker on stage raising a fist as a diverse crowd responds.

K. Wyking Garrett, president and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust, encourages the crowd to support the community during a short speech.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Saxophone player performs energetically at a Juneteenth celebration, surrounded by community members, vendor tents, and cultural artwork.

Medearis Dixson performs with The Band during Africatown Community Land Trust's Summer of Soul Juneteenth Freedom Fest.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Juneteenth Freedom Festival stage performance featuring a barefoot singer, saxophone soloist, and full band under a Juneteenth banner in Seattle.

Arzelia Jones Jr. and Medearis Dixson perform with The Band at Jimi Hendrix Park on Juneteenth.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Kutt ‘N’ Up dancers performing at Juneteenth 2025 Freedom Festival in Seattle, wearing matching Juneteenth shirts and moving in sync on an outdoor stage.

The Kutt 'N' Up dance team.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Attendees interact at Juneteenth 2025 art stall in Seattle, surrounded by colorful paintings and prints celebrating Black identity, culture, and expression.

Local artists sell their work at the Black Art Takeover artist market at the Northwest African American Museum.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Juneteenth 2025 basketball clinic at NAAM featuring diverse youth and a coach posing on an outdoor court in Seattle, with colorful murals and greenery in the background.

A group of boys get some basketball tips from former NBA player and Washington Husky Hall of Famer Eldridge Recasner during a Juneteenth Skills and Drills Clinic at Judkins Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Roller skaters in colorful outfits performing at Juneteenth 2025 celebration in Seattle, dancing on a graffiti-covered outdoor skate rink with “Happy Juneteenth” signs in the background.

A group of talented roller skaters at NAAM's Skate to Freedom Juneteenth celebration in Judkins Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Black woman roller skates in a “Magical Black Girl” shirt during Juneteenth 2025 festivities at an outdoor Seattle skate park, surrounded by diverse skaters and vibrant murals.

A roller skater joyfully skates around the outdoor rink at Judkins Park during NAAM's annual Juneteenth celebration.(Photo: Susan Fried)

PNW Steppaz dance team performs with fans at Seattle's Juneteenth 2025 Freedom Festival with coordinated choreography outdoors.

The PNW Steppaz lead a "Boots on the Ground Unity Step" during the Summer of Soul Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Jimi Hendrix Park. For every dancer that joined in, King County Equity Now received a $1 donation.(Photo: Susan Fried)

PNW Steppaz lead a line dance during Juneteenth 2025 in Seattle, performing in front of a large crowd at the outdoor event.

A large crowd fills Jimi Hendrix Park for the Summer of Soul Juneteenth Freedom Fest, presented by Africatown Community Land Trust in partnership with King County Equity Now.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Singer performs onstage at Juneteenth 2025 festival in Seattle, wearing a gray suit and sunglasses, holding a cigar while singing into a microphone.

Grammy Award-winning artist October London performs to a large crowd of enthusiastic fans during the annual Juneteenth celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Zaina the Phenom, a young Black girl performer, sings confidently on stage at Juneteenth 2025 in Seattle, wearing a vibrant “Zaina the Phenom” shirt and patterned leggings.

Zaina the Phenom invites the crowd to sing along during her performance at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest hosted by Africatown Community Land Trust and King County Equity Now.(Photo: Susan Fried)

Black woman dancing and smiling in vibrant attire at Juneteenth 2025 festival in Seattle, surrounded by a diverse crowd.

A member of the audience dances with the music at the 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest hosted by Africatown Community Land Trust and King County Equity Now.(Photo: Susan Fried)

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