FAQ

  1. DeKalb Juneteenth Fest /
  2. Faq

General & Attendance

DeKalb Juneteenth Fest is a FREE, family-friendly community celebration honoring Juneteenth — one of America's most significant cultural holidays, marking a moment of profound historical importance that shaped the story of this nation. Our 2026 theme is "Celebrating I and I" — Unity and Inclusion. It's a full day to celebrate culture, honor tradition, connect with community, and make lasting memories. 14 hours of live music, amazing food, kids activities, art, and togetherness at Frank Van Buer Plaza, Downtown DeKalb.
Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Gates open to public at 9:00 AM)
Location: Frank Van Buer Plaza, 148–198 N 2nd St, Downtown DeKalb, IL 60115
Website: www.juneteenth-fest.com
Yes — 100% free to attend. There are no entry fees and no hidden costs. However, registration is required for everyone attending. Once you register on our website at www.juneteenth-fest.com, you will receive your free ticket via WhatsApp. You must show this WhatsApp ticket on your phone at the entry gate. Registration also helps us plan for numbers and means we can send you event updates and day-of alerts. We do gratefully welcome donations on the day; all proceeds go to the Free Food Wall Initiative.
Yes — registration is required for all attendees, but your ticket is completely free. Here's how it works: Register on our website at www.juneteenth-fest.com, and once registered you will receive your free ticket to your mobile. Save it to your phone — you'll need to show it at the entry gate on the day. Registration is quick, easy, and free. It also ensures you receive any last-minute updates, schedule changes, or day-of announcements directly.
Gates open at 9:00 AM. Make sure you have your free ticket ready on your phone before you arrive to speed up entry. We recommend arriving early to get a good spot for the Opening Ceremony at 10:00 AM, which includes a welcome from DeKalb community leaders, the Free Food Wall Launch, and other interesting activities. The junior fashion show is planned post lunch time and the evening headliner starts at 7:00 PM — so plan ahead!
Absolutely — this festival is designed for every generation. We have a dedicated Kids Zone running all day (9 AM – 9 PM) with face painting, carnival games, craft activities, and magic shows. There are eating contests for kids and adults, a kids' fashion ramp walk, storytelling, and much more. There is genuinely something for every age from toddlers to grandparents.
We recommend: Sunscreen and a hat (it's an outdoor daytime event in June), comfortable shoes (you'll be on your feet!), a, cash and/or card for food trucks and vendors, a camera or charged phone for memories, and a reusable water bottle. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.
For the safety of all attendees, the following are prohibited: Outside alcohol, weapons or firearms of any kind (including pocket knives), illegal or controlled substances, drones, large coolers, aerosol cans, and outside food and drink beyond personal water bottles. All people and bags are subject to search upon entry. Anyone found with prohibited items will be asked to leave by event security.
Yes! We have diverse food trucks serving throughout the day, offering soul food, BBQ, Caribbean cuisine, pizza, tacos, desserts, and vegetarian/vegan options. Vendors also sell drinks and snacks. Cash and card are both accepted. Something for every taste and dietary need. Food trucks operate from gates opening until the evening.
Free street parking is available throughout Downtown DeKalb. Public parking lots are also available nearby on Lincoln Highway. Accessible parking spaces are located close to the plaza entrance. We recommend arriving early as parking fills up, especially around the Opening Ceremony and Chicago Bears appearance times. See our Location page for a full map.
Yes! DeKalb Public Transit Route 12 stops right at Lincoln Highway & 2nd St — just steps from Frank Van Buer Plaza. Adult fare is just $0.50. NIU OneCard holders ride free. Senior/disabled fare is $0.25. Children under 5 ride free. Call (815) 748-2000 or visit cityofdekalb.com for schedules and route maps.
Yes — Frank Van Buer Plaza and the adjacent streets are fully accessible. The plaza itself features level, paved ground suitable for wheelchairs and mobility devices. ADA-accessible portable restrooms will be available on-site. Accessible parking is available near the entrance. If you have specific accessibility requirements or questions in advance, please email us at hello@juneteenth-fest.com.
DeKalb Juneteenth Fest takes place as an outdoor event. We are excited to bring our community together and are committed to conducting this event in a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for all. In the event of severe weather (including lightning, tornado warnings, or other public safety concerns), we will follow the City of DeKalb's public safety guidelines and make announcements on-site and via our social media channels. Nuberta LLC, the organizer of DeKalb Juneteenth Fest, reserves the right to reschedule, modify, relocate, or cancel any part of / or the entire event if necessary due to circumstances beyond our control. Please note that all sales are final and non-refundable, including in such situations. Check our website www.juneteenth-fest.com for real-time updates on the day.

Vendors, Sponsors & Getting Involved

We welcome food trucks, product vendors, artisans, service providers, local businesses, and community organizations. Booth and food truck spaces are available in a range of sizes. To enquire about availability and booking, email kamal@juneteenth-fest.com directly. Spaces are limited — get in touch early for best placement!
We have several booth and space options to suit different needs — from standard booths and corner premium spaces to food truck bays and community tables. All spaces include prominent placement at the event and exposure to – attendees across 14 hours. For full details on available options and to discuss what works best for you, please email kamal@juneteenth-fest.com.
Yes — we have dedicated Food Truck Row spaces available. Food truck operators must hold a valid DeKalb County food service license and comply with all applicable health and safety requirements. Please note that power access on-site is limited — vendors should plan to be self-sufficient with their own power source. If you have specific power requirements, contact us in advance and we will do our best to work something out. To apply for a food truck space, email kamal@juneteenth-fest.com.
We have five sponsorship tiers: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Benefits range from title sponsorship and stage naming rights to logo placement, VIP passes, on-stage recognition, and community visibility. Custom packages are also available. To find out more or get a sponsorship pack, email kamal@juneteenth-fest.com or call Kamal Osman on +1 815 472 7375.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of this event and we'd love your help! Volunteer roles include setup and breakdown crew, kids zone helpers, information booth staff, crowd assistance, and photo documentation. In return you'll receive a festival t-shirt, a food voucher, behind-the-scenes experience, and community recognition. To sign up, head to our homepage where you'll find the volunteer sign-up under the participation options, or email hello@juneteenth-fest.com with your name and availability.
We love local talent! If you are a musician, spoken word artist, dancer, comedian, or cultural performer and would like to be considered for the programme, please reach out to Kamal directly at kamal@juneteenth-fest.com with a short bio, links to your work, and your proposed act. We give priority to DeKalb-based and Northern Illinois artists.
The Free Food Wall Initiative is a community project courtesy of the Midwest Professional Empire Associates, providing free food access to DeKalb residents in need. Small "food walls" are installed at accessible locations around DeKalb where anyone can take what they need or contribute what they can. We will officially launch the expansion of this already well recieved initiative at 10:30 AM on the Main Stage. Generous donations made to this initiative will go directly toward stocking and maintaining these walls. You can also sign up to host a food wall at the Free Food Wall Booth during the event.
We love animals, but for the safety and comfort of all attendees — including young children — pets are not permitted on the festival grounds. The only exception is registered service animals, which are always welcome. Please ensure your service animal is wearing appropriate identification.
Yes! You are free to exit and re-enter the festival grounds throughout the day. Simply get a hand stamp from a staff member at the exit gate. Guests without a valid hand stamp may be asked to go through the entry process again. Please note that prohibited items (see above) cannot be brought in on re-entry any more than on initial entry.
We take child safety extremely seriously. If your child becomes separated from you, go immediately to the Information & First Aid Booth located near the main entrance — staff there will coordinate the search immediately. You can also alert any festival staff member or security officer and they will direct you straight there. We strongly recommend: taking a photo of your child before arriving, dressing young children in bright or distinctive clothing, and having older children memorise a parent's phone number.
Yes — a staffed Information & First Aid Booth will be located near the main entrance throughout the full 14 hours of the festival. This is also your first point of contact for lost and found items and any lost children. In a medical emergency please alert any staff member immediately or call 911. The DeKalb Fire Department will also be on-site with an interactive booth and safety demonstrations throughout the day.
For the latest announcements, programme updates, guest reveals, and day-of information, keep an eye on our website and get in touch if you have questions:

Website: www.juneteenth-fest.com
General Queries: hello@juneteenth-fest.com
Vendors & Partnerships: kamal@juneteenth-fest.com

Official event hashtag: #DeKalbJuneteenth2026
All partner spaces — including sponsorship, booth, and food truck partnerships — will be officially confirmed only upon successful sharing of the official booking form along with the required respective documentation and payment receipt. Partners are encouraged to contact kamal@juneteenth-fest.com for all enquiries related to partner relations.
All sales are final. Given the operational nature of the event and to ensure a smooth experience for all, partners are expected to honour their commitment — both commercially and by being present on the day of the programme. Any cancellations after sign-up will unfortunately not be considered and no refunds will be offered.

In the unfortunate event of a force majeure, Nuberta LLC will do everything within its reasonable ability to reschedule the event. However, in the unfortunate occurrence of the event being fully forfeited, Nuberta LLC will issue partners a 12-month credit note equivalent to the amount paid. This credit note can be redeemed for future events occurring within the 12-month period from the date of credit note issuance.

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