When House of Soul owner Nichol Stevenson hosted her inaugural Juneteenth party in 2019, it was so good she knew he had to do it again. She also knew that it would grow beyond the patio and surrounding area of the live music and event space she operates at 12 ^th and Washington. For 2024, its fifth anniversary, she literally shut the block down with people coming out to celebrate the joy of Black liberation. Stevenson was presented with a proclamation by then-Mayor Tishaura O. Jones for her efforts.

“Last year was epic with over 3000-plus guests,” Stevenson said. “This year we are aiming for bigger and better!”

The 6 ^th Annual Juneteenth Festival Block Party will take place from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Washington Avenue between 12 ^th and 13 ^th Streets. Admission is free and open to the public.

The full day of programming includes live performances, guests DJs, vendors, slide tutorials, a kids zone with a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and other activities. The fan favorite fashion runway experience will take place at 4:30 p.m.

“We do it for the culture,” Stevenson said.

House of Soul has been about celebrating the culture from the beginning. Stevenson has been doing so even before her dream of operating an event space centered around good music and positive vibes became a reality.

She was part of the team (which also included Angela Brown and Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker) that created the popular open mic series Café Soul. For more than a decade the monthly program gave emerging and aspiring singers, poets and musicians the opportunity to hone their craft before a live audience – and with a live band. Plenty of the current staples of the St. Louis music scene – and beyond – found a safe creative space in Café Soul.

One of them is keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer Mark Harris II. He currently tours with smooth jazz and urban adult contemporary favorite Najee, but will be on deck for House of Soul as part of the Juneteenth Festival Block Party live performance lineup.

“Let support and give back,” Stevenson said.

The City of Dellwood, in partnership with community empowerment organization Bridge The Gap 314 will be presenting #JuneteenthSTL 2025.

The free celebration kicks off at 12 noon on June 19 ^th at The Dellwood Recreation Center (10266 West Florissant Ave.) with the city’s annual Juneteenth Parade. Boxing legend Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield will serve as its Grand Marshal.

“Residents across the St. Louis region are invited to join in this unforgettable day of celebration and unity,” said Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones. “This year’s Juneteenth celebration is about more than just entertainment. It is about empowerment, healing and pride in who we are.”

The festivities will culminate with a performance by Grammy Award-nominated R&B songstress and television personality Syleena Johnson and a spectacular fireworks finale.

The day will also include free health screenings from Children’s Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center’s Mammogram Van, an education vision panel with area school district superintendents, a Black history walking museum along with food trucks, live music, family activities, vendors and more.

“Juneteenth is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to the work ahead,” said Bridge The Gap 314 founder Twyla Lee. “This partnership allows us to uplift the community through awareness, access and joy.”

Thurs. Jun. 12, 5 p.m. Missouri History Museum Juneteenth Celebration presented by Washington University, Lee Auditorium and MacDermott Grand Hall, 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, visit https://mohistory.org .

Tue., Jun. 17, 10 a.m. Juneteenth Family Day, Grand Center Arts District, 3534 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information, visit https://www.grandcenter.org .

Wed., Jun. 18, 9 a.m., JuneteenthSTL Scholarship Fund Prayer Breakfast, North County Innovation Center, 10174 West Florissant Ave. For more information, visit www.bridgethegap314.org.

Thurs. , Jun. 19, Juneteenth at the Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110. For more information, visit https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org .

Living It content is produced in partnership with Regional Arts Commission .