While Juneteenth became a federal holiday just five years ago, Bay Area communities have been celebrating the watershed event for over 80 years.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans following the Civil War — specifically when U.S. Gen. Gordon Granger and federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to fully take control of the state from the Confederates. There, Granger read General Orders No. 3, announcing that Texas’ enslaved Black people were free, about two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and two and a half months after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered in Virginia.
From cookouts and outdoor festivals to storytelling and music, here are events to celebrate Juneteenth around the Bay Area this year.
RELATED: The beginners guide to celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth Freedom Day Pleasant Hill: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Chilpancingo Park, 200 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Performances include clowning by Unique Derique, the singing of the Black National Anthem and a Tina Turner tribute by Lea Sweet. There will also be food and crafts vendors. phillca.gov/1608/Juneteenth-Celebration-2026.
Power 50: Juneteenth Mayors Freedom Ball: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Rotunda at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose. To kick off Juneteenth, the African American Community Service Agency hosts an evening recognizing the Power 50 — elected officials, corporate and community leaders, and other professionals who have made an impact on their communities through excellence and civic leadership. The program includes music at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at 6:15 p.m. $44.52. eventbrite.com.
Hercules Juneteenth Celebration: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 13, Hercules City Hall, 111 Civic Drive, Hercules. The event starts with a flag-raising ceremony, guest speakers, poetry and readings. The festivities then move to the Hercules Library for the Walking Ghosts of Black History Juneteenth exhibit, refreshments and a sound bath. herculesca.gov.
SWV’s Cheryl “Coko” Gamble performs on stage during the Queens of R&B Tour at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord on Thursday, June 27, 2024. The group will be headlining San Jose’s Juneteenth in the Streets festival on June 13. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
45th Annual Juneteenth in the Streets: Noon-7 p.m. June 13, SoFA District, South First Street, San Jose. This daylong concert is headlined by ’90s hitmakers SWV and features R&B star Montell Jordan, Oakland writer and spoken word artist Prentice Powell, actor and gospel singer Kisha Grandy-Lee, Grammy-nominated singer Travis Malloy and DJ Sharp, the official DJ of the Golden State Warriors. Free. bayareajuneteenth.org.
Monterey County Juneteenth Jubilee: 1-7:30 p.m. June 13, Laguna Grande Park, 1249 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. From a crowning ceremony for community leaders to performances including live music, food and a family-friendly kids zone, there’s sure to be something for everyone at this seventh annual celebration, organized by the Monterey County Black Caucus. Free. eventbrite.com.
The Art of Black Storytelling: 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 17, Mad Oak Bar ‘N’ Yard, 135 12th St., Oakland. Join a Pub Scholar talk from author and educator J.R. Rice about the evolution of Black oral traditions through Negro spirituals, the Harlem Renaissance and contemporary spoken word. $25. eventbrite.com.
Hella Juneteenth 5K: 6-10 p.m. June 17, Snow Park, Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Kick off Hella Juneteenth Week with a 5K run around Lake Merritt, followed by a cool down by Town Strides at Black-owned bar Lucy Blue with music, food, drinks and some surprises. Free. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Freedom Day Newark: 1-5 p.m. June 18, Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark. The city’s third annual celebration includes live music and entertainment, local vendors, food, games, educational exhibits and arts and crafts. instagram.com/p/DYfvlUpkeNy.
Anthone Jackson and his son Amanee, 1, learn how to play the drums during a workshop at the Juneteenth celebration, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in the SoFa District of San Jose. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Hennessy Black Joy Cocktail Crawl: 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 18, Mushin 2.0, 416 13th St., Oakland. Kick off Juneteenth with an elevated cocktail crawl at four Black-owned Oakland hot spots, each featuring a Hennessy cocktail crafted by a Black mixologist. Proceeds support the nonprofit Black Joy Parade. $82. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Cruise Party: 8:30-10:30 p.m. June 18, from Jack London Square, 2 Broadway, Oakland. Grab your friends and hop on board Bay Celebrations, a locally owned double-decker riverboat-style vessel with two full bars, panoramic views and a DJ, plus outside viewing decks. $28. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Community Celebration: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 19, Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. The event includes an 11:30 a.m. drumming workshop with Ghana-born performer and composer Pope Flyne, an opportunity to make a percussion instrument and a friendship bracelet, and more. Free with museum admission. cdm.org/event/juneteenth.
Juneteenth! at the Museum: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. OMCA and Black Freedom Fund present a celebration of Black culture, creativity and community with live performances and DJ sets, offerings from Bay Area Black chefs and food vendors and hands-on activities. The celebration corresponds with the “Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory” exhibition. $10. museumca.org/event/juneteenth-at-the-museum.
Black Food Tour Party Bus: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 19, Jack London Square, 472 Water St., Oakland. Hop on a bus taking visitors to Black-owned brunch locations throughout Oakland, led by an Oakland-native local tour guide. $160. eventbrite.com.
People gather on the lawn during the Oakland Museum of California’s Hella Juneteenth Festival 2025 in Oakland on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Bay Area Black Fashion Expo: Noon-5 p.m. June 19, Spoiled Boutique, 5667 Bay St., Emeryville. In partnership with Bay Street Emeryville, this expo offers a full-block shutdown featuring a live fashion show, a showcase of Black stylists and makeup artists and live music, plus food, wine, kids’ activities and all-day shopping. Free, or $108 for VIP stage viewing. eventbrite.com.
Hella Juneteenth Festival: Noon-6 p.m. June 19, Cloud Park, 1911 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Enjoy a music lineup with DJs, R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeats and cookout classics as well as food from Black-owned vendors, games, kid-friendly programs and a green space for lounging and dancing. $49. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth, a Freedom Celebration: 4-8 p.m. June 19, Williamson Ranch Park, Antioch. The City of Antioch celebrates the vibrancy and resiliency of Black culture with live performances, music, food and activities for kids and adults. Free. antiochca.gov/218/Juneteenth-Celebration
Juneteenth Celebration: 4-9 p.m. June 19, Butterfly Plaza, 1446 Washington Ave., San Leandro. The festivities include live music, vendors including Black-owned small businesses and a poetry slam with students from San Leandro High School. A Juneteenth timeline and redlining exhibit will also be featured. www.sanleandro.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=7575
Juneteenth Jubilee: 5 p.m.-midnight June 19, Sobre Mesa, 1618 Franklin St., Oakland. Enjoy drink specials from Chef Nelson German’s new cocktail book and take in a soundtrack of R&B, hip-hop, soul and Bay Area hits at this celebration of Juneteenth — and Geminis. $13. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Jubilee Ball: 6 p.m. June 19, EPACENTER, 1950 Bay Road, East Palo Alto. The night begins with a cocktail reception and dinner, then moves outdoors for live performances by Bay Area favorite Smooth Jazz Alley and Descendant: The Legends of Funk, featuring current members of Sly and the Family Stone and Graham Central Station. From $28.52. eventbrite.com.
Concert in the Park: Juneteenth Celebration: 6:30-8 p.m. June 19, Central Park Pavilion, 909 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara. The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol will perform music in the traditions of jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and beyond. santaclaraca.gov.
Spiced Cabaret Prideteenth Drag & Burlesque Show: 7-9:45 p.m. June 19, White Horse Inn, 6551 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Spiced Cabaret hosts its first Juneteenth Pride Celebration with drag and burlesque performances by Bay Area and Sacramento artists. $15. eventbrite.com.
Story Jam: Prideteenth!: 7:30-9:30 p.m. June 19, West Berkeley Fencing Club, 1111 Addison St., Berkeley. Enjoy free snacks and beverages at 6:30 p.m., followed by a first-person storytelling jam featuring special guest Don Reed. $10-$20. eventbrite.com.
Hayward Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: June 20, Hayward Heritage Plaza, 835 C St., Hayward. The annual festival, presented by the West Coast Blues Society and Juneteenth Hayward, will feature a blues festival music lineup, food vendors, a beer/wine wine garden, and community programming honoring Russell City and Hayward’s African American heritage. Admission is free. www.juneteenthevents.us/event/hayward-juneteenth-freedom-celebration-heritage-plaza-2026
Broken Promises, Juneteenth Edition: 9 p.m. June 19-1 a.m. June 20, Vinnie’s Bar & Grill, 2045 Mount Diablo St., Concord. DJ Heartbreak and Friends curates a special Juneteenth-edition evening full of dancing to R&B, hip-hop classics and sing-along favorites. $18 and up. eventbrite.com.
Wesley Park, 3, of Oakland, dances during the Oakland Museum of California’s Hella Juneteenth Festival 2025 on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Richmond Juneteenth Parade and Festival: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 20, Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. This celebration includes live music and entertainment, cultural performances, food and crafts vendors, and family activities. A parade kicks off the festivities at 10 a.m. at Kennedy High School and makes its way through the heart of Richmond to Nicholl Park. Free. ci.richmond.ca.us/4665/Richmond-Juneteenth-Festival.
Juneteenth Celebration: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. June 20, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. The city of Los Altos hosts its seventh annual Juneteenth Festival, with rum punch, beer and wine alongside speeches, dance performances, art, music, food and vendors. Free. eventbrite.com.
Juneteenth Festival in the Park: Starting at noon June 20, Bell Street Park, 550 Bell St., East Palo Alto. ci.east-palo-alto.ca.us.
The Cookout: 1-2:30 p.m. June 20, South San Francisco Public Library, 901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco. Join a Juneteenth celebration honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues and the impact of Black baseball athletes. The family-friendly event will feature slam poetry, music, baseball-themed crafts, hot dogs and picnic-style lawn activities and games. Free. eventbrite.com.
Gospel for Freedom Day: 1 p.m. June 21, Community Church, 2100 University Ave., East Palo Alto. This showcase of gospel music wraps up three days of Juneteenth events in East Palo Alto. ci.east-palo-alto.ca.us.
19th Annual Juneteenth Street Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 27, 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland. This Oakland festival is slated to feature two live DJ stages, music, dance, a vendors’ fashion show, community awards, motorcycle clubs, a film screening and more. Free. bhbrilliantminds.org.
Concord Juneteenth: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 27, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord. The Concord Communities Alliance, Freedom Legacy Collective and NAMI Contra Costa team up to celebrate the fourth annual Concord Juneteenth Celebration with food, vendors and performances. concordjuneteenth.org.