OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — One of Oklahoma City’s biggest and most impactful community events returns for its sixth year with an exciting expansion.
Juneteenth on the East, hosted by the WITHLOVE Project Foundation, strives to honor a legacy of freedom, resilience, and the cultural contributions of the Black community, while also allowing space for creativity, connection and community.
The 2026 festival will now be held at the historic Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre, to expand the same energy and culture to a new, larger space. This elaborative festival will also feature a headlining performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Lupe Fiasco.
“We’re still on the Eastside,” said co-founder Jabee Williams. “We’re still rooted in the Eastside, still building with the community. This is just growth. Same energy, just elevated.”
The current shift to the Zoo Amphitheatre creates a larger, more immersive festival experience, while still continuing the staple elements of Juneteenth on the East that the community wants to preserve.
This year, the celebration will hold a performance by Chicago-born “Daydreamin” singer, Lupe Fiasco. Known for being a gifted lyricist and his music’s social commentary, Lupe’s community impact goes beyond music with his work in education, art, and economic opportunity in underserved communities.
His attendance at Juneteenth on the East directly reflects the event’s mission of combining culture, purpose, entertainment and impact.
Guests can expect many different family friendly activities, local vendors, live concert and interactive art.
Juneteenth on the East will continue to be a free community-focused celebration, created to bring people together while intentionally exploring conversations around equity, culture, and community violence intervention through initiatives like Live Free Oklahoma.
While the festival continues to expand, Juneteenth on the East’s mission remains to celebrate Black culture, invest in community, and create spaces that promote peace, unity, and opportunity for future generations.
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