What’s the Emancipation Jubilee? 

Honouring 90+ years since the first Emancipation Day celebration, the Emancipation Jubilee commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation of August 1, 1834, that ended slavery throughout the British Colonies, including Canada and parts of the Caribbean.

The Black Council of Windsor-Essex invites you to this year’s Emancipation Jubilee events from August 3-5, 2024.

Join us 3 days of family-friendly, affordable fun across 3 venues, including an historical performance for small children, fashion show, Caribbean dance party, gospel concert, fun and games for all ages, food from the Caribbean and West Africa, and a community barbecue!

Many local residents have longed to see the revival of Canada’s Emancipation Day in Windsor, especially now that the Federal Government has officially proclaimed it.

The legendary Emancipation Celebrations of old live on in the memories of Windsor-Essex residents today: the 4-hour long parades, fashion/talent shows, Miss Sephia Beauty contest, guest speakers like the late former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the 30,000 visitors it brought to the area each year. 

The Emancipation Jubilee revives that magic by celebrating the vibrancy of the Black communities and individuals that make Windsor and Essex County their home today!

We invite the entire Windsor-Essex County community to join us in this Jubilee as we build Windsor as the international leader in celebrating Canada’s Emancipation Proclamation. We look forward to seeing you in August!