Huntsville’s annual Juneteenth Festival returns with music, food, fireworks and STEAM

HUNTSVILLE – Mark your calendar for Saturday as Amazon and Huntsville’s Office of Multicultural Affairs team up to present the annual Juneteenth Festival, a vibrant evening filled with performances, fireworks and hands-on STEAM activities.

The free, family-friendly event, which runs from 5-9 p.m. at Big Spring Park, will be headlined by Element XI, known for their high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing sound. The Huntsville Community Drumline will open the event.

An addition to this year’s festival is The STEAM Zone, a collaborative space featuring hands-on, educational activities centered on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Partners like Arts Huntsville and the North Alabama NSBE Professionals will lead engaging programming designed to spark curiosity and creativity in participants of all ages.

“Juneteenth is not only a time of celebration, but also an opportunity to educate and inspire,” said Randy Barbour, the city’s director of Multicultural Affairs. “Through music, culture, community partnerships and now the STEAM Zone, this event continues to grow in its ability to reflect the richness and resilience of our shared history.”

Throughout the park, festivalgoers can explore booths from local nonprofits, community groups and organizations offering valuable resources and services. Food trucks will provide mouth-watering cuisines, and a live DJ will spin tunes between stage performances. The night will conclude with a fireworks display.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early to enjoy the Juneteenth Festival’s offerings.

“The Black Employee Network (BEN) at Amazon is proud to host this event for the third year in partnership with the city of Huntsville,” said Debra Gray, regional senior HR manager for Amazon. “This initiative demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to the Huntsville community. The event serves three purposes: to recognize the past, to honor current African American community leaders and to bring the community together in fellowship.”