The City of Cedar Hill and Best of Southwest cities join together for the Juneteenth Arts and Music Festival, honoring the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Activities include food vendors, a variety of art by local artist, crafts, musical performances and much more. You don't want to miss this evening of community celebrations, great music, and arts, all for free!

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official on January 1, 1863. In subsequent years, African Americans celebrated Juneteenth with music, skits, barbecuing, picnics and ethnic dress.