Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival, a cornerstone celebration of Black liberation and culture, will be reduced to a single day in 2025 due to significant declines in corporate sponsorship.

The festival, traditionally a two-day event, is now scheduled for Sunday, June 15, in the historic Five Points neighborhood.

Organizers from the JMF Corporation reported a more than 60% drop in sponsorship commitments compared to the previous year, leaving an $80,000 funding gap even for the scaled-back event. Executive Director Norman Harris attributed the shortfall to “shifting corporate priorities,” noting that several long-standing sponsors have reduced or withdrawn their support.

This reduction in support aligns with a broader national trend of corporations pulling back from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, influenced by political shifts and legislative changes.

Similar funding challenges have affected other major events in Denver, such as the Pride Parade, which has seen a 62% decrease in sponsorships amid DEI rollbacks.

Despite these challenges, the Juneteenth Music Festival will continue to feature its hallmark elements, including live music, the Juneteenth Parade, youth and health zones, and a showcase of Black-owned businesses. Organizers emphasize that while the festival’s duration has been shortened, their commitment to honoring Juneteenth remains steadfast.

Community members are encouraged to support the festival through donations and participation. As Harris stated, “We’re not scaling back our commitment, just the footprint. And with our community by our side, we’ll rise to meet this moment and keep Juneteenth alive in the streets of Five Points.”

For more information and to contribute to the festival’s fundraising efforts, please visit the official Juneteenth Music Festival website.