Hundreds of people gathered at Promenade Square Park to celebrate Juneteenth at a block party hosted by Long Beach’s World Famous VIP Records on Saturday, June 20.
Juneteenth commemorates the date — June 19, 1865 — when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth for generations, but it became a federal holiday in 2021.
Celebrants take in a live performance by the Gumbo Brothers at a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll past vendor booths and cultural displays at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants dance to the live music at a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Faithful Central Praise Team performs at a Juneteenth block party and celebration hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants attend a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants attend a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees check out a cultural displays at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants attend a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants dance to the live music at a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sonya Lockridge, owner of Crown Envy in Inglewood, displays hats at her booth at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrants dance to the live music at a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Ramine Ross of Los Angeles takes part in a floral workshop with her kids, Roslyn, 1, and Rodney, 3, at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll past vendor booths and cultural displays at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll past vendor booths and cultural displays at a Juneteenth block party and celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Faithful Central Praise Team performs at a Juneteenth block party and celebration hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Celebrants take in a live performance by the Gumbo Brothers at a Juneteenth block party hosted by VIP Records on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on the Promenade in downtown Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The free event featured two stages with live programming, including performances from DJ Battlecat, Emi Secret and the Gumbo Brothers, among others. VIP Records’ Juneteenth celebration also had interactive exhibits, art workshops, a Black family game night and a Black Business Tour.
“V.I.P. Records has been part of this community for over 45 years,” VIP Records founder Kelvin Anderson said previously. “We have watched this city grow and this block party is our way of giving back. Juneteenth is about freedom and celebration, and there is no better place to do that than right here in Long Beach.”