Juneteenth, recognized as a state holiday in California since 2003, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free enslaved people.
Across California, communities will hold events throughout June to honor Juneteenth’s significance. Sacramento will host a two-day festival from June 20–21 at William Land Regional Park, beginning with a “Gospel Under the Stars” concert and continuing with music performances, speakers, and a community talent show. A golf tournament is scheduled for Sunday at William Land Golf Course.
Santa Rosa’s 55th Annual MLK Festival of Diversity and Inclusion on June 14 will feature gospel, jazz, R&B performances, educational speakers, an arts-and-crafts fair, domino games, and a basketball tournament. The event includes a march from Julliard Park to Martin Luther King Jr. Square.
In San Francisco, SF Black Wallstreet will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a Juneteenth event at Gilman Playground on June 15. The focus this year is on families and fathers with amusement rides, live performances, and shopping at the Black Millionaire Marketplace.
Oakland’s celebrations include multiple events: the Juneteenth Family Festival at Oakland Cemetery on June 14; Hella Juneteenth Festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19; and a street festival on Brockhurst St. in West Oakland on June 21 under the theme “We Are Tapping Into The Ancestors’ Wisdom and Having the Freedom to Express Ourselves!”
San Jose’s African American Community Service Agency presents its 44th annual Juneteenth celebration on June 14. Over 6,000 attendees are expected for activities including the Bill Pickett Rodeo and performances by country singer Tiera Kennedy, gospel artist Kim Burrell, and R&B headliner Mario.
Santa Barbara will host its annual Juneteenth event at Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park with food vendors, music performances, poetry readings, artist exhibitions, storytelling sessions for children and adults alike.
Los Angeles offers several ways to observe Juneteenth. Back on the Block’s fourth annual festival takes place downtown on June 15 featuring musical acts such as Mario and THEY., over 150 Black-owned businesses and dozens of food vendors. At the California African American Museum (CAAM), visitors can view “Repossessions & Reparations,” an exhibition exploring reparations through art.
Long Beach’s Rainbow Lagoon Park hosts festivities on June 14 including step shows, spoken word poetry sessions and live music alongside local food options.
Palm Springs plans a series of events from June 19–21 starting with Village Fest downtown followed by concerts—including a Kool & the Gang tribute—and film screenings like “Rascist Trees” at Palm Springs Art Museum.
San Diego features two major gatherings: Cooper Family Foundation’s long-running Freedom Festival at Memorial Park in Logan Hills on June 21 with food trucks and family activities; Kinfolk Fest—a celebration focused on culture—at Waterfront Park on June 14 offering music genres from R&B to Afrobeats plus local vendors for those aged twenty-one or older.
These events highlight how Californians across regions mark Juneteenth through cultural celebrations that recognize both historical struggles for freedom and ongoing contributions by Black communities statewide.
