Juneteenth Block Party

Returning 2026!
Centerpoint Plaza

---

2025 Event

We’re bringing back the block party energy for a second year! The Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Block Party is the perfect combo of good music, good eats and good community. Teri Tobin is back as this year’s emcee and will set the vibe for the night, as well as, give us a great performance and Urban Poet will deliver powerful spoken word. DJ Panic and DJ AKSHEN will keep the energy up with nonstop music so that Furious Styles Crew can bring the heat on the dance floor with some 1 v 1 dance battles. Don't worry, they will open it up to you all to jump in and show out!

SouthWest Steppaz is putting a fresh spin on line dancing. They blend the soul of R&B, the twang of country, and the rhythm of Black culture to create something entirely their own. With smooth moves, tight beats, and energy that brings people together, this crew knows how to get a crowd moving.

We’re bringing flavors that just hit different…come hungry and enjoy a lineup of amazing flavors from some of the best Black-owned food vendors:

• Kingpin BBQ: Servin’ up smoked meats packed with flavor.

• Randizzle’s Burgers: Offering bold, stacked creations that do not hold back.

• Spice Queens: Southern comfort classics like fried fish & chicken, collard greens, sweet potatoes, shrimp platters, and more!

• Maui Wowi: Bringing an island vibe with their fruit smoothies and coffees.

• Flav-Oh’s Ice Cream Truck: Keepin’ it cool with old-school 90s-style treats.

• Big Mama’s Desserts: Banana pudding. Peach cobbler. Strawberry cheesecake. And more!

Pair your meal with a selection of alcoholic beverages, including Crown Royal canned cocktails, or locally brewed Pedal Haus beers.

What started as a one-night Hip-Hop Barber Battle at last year’s Juneteenth Block Party has grown into something bigger. We took that energy, turned it into the Downtown Tempe Barber Battle, and launched it at 2nd Sundays on Mill—knowing it would all lead back here.

Now the final four are stepping up. Elite on Mill, Todd the Barber, Borrosos Barber Studios and True Blends Barbershop are bringing their A-game to the Semifinals and Finals.

Be sure to join us to see how it all shakes out!

This year, we are bringing even more live art, interactive elements and immersive experiences! Strike a pose at the PixDMe 360 photo booth, and lace up your skates to hit the floor with Zoni Girls at the retro pop-up roller rink, open to all ages. For those looking for a little competition, there will be classic games like spades and chess available to play nearby.

You’ll also find three powerful, immersive experiences happening throughout the evening:

Traveling While Black – A Virtual Reality Journey

Traveling While Black is more than history—it’s about community. This award-winning VR documentary, directed by Roger Ross Williams and created by Felix & Paul Studios, places viewers inside the historic Ben’s Chili Bowl to hear first-hand reflections on the realities of navigating race, mobility, and safety in America. Originally selected for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, this powerful 15-minute experience highlights the urgent need for dialogue around the continued challenges faced by minority travelers.

Presented in partnership with IDIA’s The Hive, who generously donated the VR headsets. First come, first served—spots are limited.

The Porch

The Porch invites guests into a Southern-inspired storytelling space, where the voices of Black elders share memories of resilience and resistance. Local leaders offer reflections on today’s social landscape, and attendees are invited to contribute their own stories for the future. These conversations will be recorded and preserved as part of a growing living history archive.

Open and ongoing throughout the event.

The Light We Carry – Community Art Installation

Led by local artist Zybrena Porter, this collaborative art experience invites guests to reflect on what “light” they carry within themselves. Participants will write their words on paper flame cutouts that will be added to a glowing trellis of suspended lanterns, each representing different facets of the Black experience. The result is a living, evolving installation that uplifts personal expression and collective strength.

Open and ongoing throughout the event.

Don’t forget, if you capture any other memories, make sure to share them to social media, tag @downtowntempe and use the hashtag #tempejuneteenth! We want to see them all!

Last year set the bar, and this year, we’re turning it up even more! We hope to see you all at this year’s Juneteenth Block Party!

Need help getting to the event? Plan your visit with Tempe TRiP, your go-to for real-time parking info, fastest routes, and stress-free arrival!

---

---

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS