SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield’s Juneteenth Freedom Concert has a new home. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra marked their fourth annual celebration on Friday at Tower Square. Despite recent funding cuts to the arts, the tradition isn’t only alive — it’s bigger than ever.

For three years this celebration was held inside Springfield Symphony Hall. This time, the music moved to Tower Square, and the energy moved with it. If you haven’t been down there yet, there is still time. Dancing, local vendors, and a powerful message about history and hope — right in the heart of downtown Springfield.

The festivities kicked off at noon, featuring a special performance by the Springfield Prep Charter School Dance Team. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade used movement to honor the culture and remembrance of Juneteenth. The concert began about an hour ago at 3 p.m. and will end around 6 p.m. on Friday night.

Heather Caisse-Roberts, the President and CEO of Springfield Symphony Orchestra told Western Mass News that getting to this point wasn’t easy. Despite recent funding cuts to the arts, the symphony worked with local partners like White Lion Brewing AND 6 Brick’s to make sure this tradition survived, “we are just here to create a really incredible vibe of celebration, honoring the past and making new memories for the present here at Tower Square. We’ve got amazing entertainment with the orchestra, Avery Sharpe, Kevin Sharpe, the Extended Family Chorus and the Springfield Symphony Chorus,” Caisse-Roberts said.

Beyond the music, Tower Square was transformed into a marketplace for small businesses. For local vendors, Thursday was about more than just sales, it was about connecting with the community and celebrating the foundation of freedom.

“Man, it’s history. It is the foundation. It is sometimes what is forgotten that it wasn’t so long ago that everyone was actually free. So, it is just me as a whole and why I’m here today and doing what I’m doing,” said Shawntea Crudup, who was one of the vendors at the Juneteenth Freedom Concert.

The event also took a moment to reflect, honoring the memory of local pillars like Mass. State Representative Benjamin Swan and Henry Thomas III.

The main concert runs from 3 to 6 p.m. as a completely free event, and organizers hope this new format at Tower Square will become a staple for years to come. For the Springfield community, freedom isn’t just history — it’s something worth celebrating together.

Copyright 2026 Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.