(FOX40.COM) — As Juneteenth approaches, Sacramento County and its surrounding areas are preparing to celebrate the federal holiday.
The significance of the day begins with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which declared that all enslaved African Americans in the Confederate States were free, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. However, the order was not implemented in places still under Confederate control, such as Texas.
Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865. More than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were notified of their freedom after 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. This came after the Thirteenth Amendment was passed in January 1865.
West Sacramento’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The West Sacramento Juneteenth Celebration is taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 12 at the Bridgeway Lake Community Park on 3650 Southport Parkway.
The event is free to the public and the first 200 guests will receive a $10 food truck voucher and a tote bag, organizers said.
The event will feature activities, music, performances, raffle prizes, live art and more.
Guests can enjoy live music from Jahri’s World, Tina B. & Sacramento Soul Line Dancers and C.I.E. Confidence is Everything Stomp & Shake, along with others.
Organizer said parking may be limited and encourage guests to arrive through ride-share, bike or the West Sacramento Via On-Demand Rideshare Program.
More information can be found on Facebook.
Juneteenth Festival – June 19-20
Sacramento’s 23rd annual Juneteenth Festival takes place June 19-20 at William Land Park, located on 3800 West Land Park Drive.
The festival begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. on June 19, with the musical theme “Gospel Under the Stars.” Musical performances include Girls of Grace, Vanessa Murphy, Gracefully Chosen and more.
On June 20, the festival begins at 9 a.m. with the Soul Parade, followed by live stage performances from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring the L.S.B. Band, Pickles & Chips, D.J Gino and more.
The event will also consist of various activities and entertainment.
More information can be found online.
The 2026 Juneteenth Art Walk – June 19
B Street Theatre, Celebration Arts, BTU Arts and CapStage have organized the third annual Juneteenth Art Walk.
From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the community can participate in the free event led by BTU Arts’ Second Line-Style Brass Band through midtown Sacramento.
The schedule is as follows:
10 a.m. Opening ceremony at Celebration Arts on 2727 B Street
11 a.m. Depart Celebration Arts and follow BTU Arts’ Second Line-Style Brass Band to CapStage
11:45 a.m. First stop at CapStage on 2215 J Street
12:15 p.m. Depart CapStage and follow BTU Arts’ New Orleans-style Element Brass Band to The Sofia
12:30 p.m. Final destination is The Sofia on 2700 Capitol Ave
More information can be found online.
The People’s Juneteenth Kick Back – June 19
The South Natomas Community Center at 2881 Truxel Road will host “The People’s Juneteenth Kickback” from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event features free food for the first 300 people, a beer garden, shaved ice and music by DJ Le Raun Warner.
This community celebration is supported by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, NUSD Trustee Ericka Harden.
More information can be found on eventbrite.
FOX40 will be adding more events to this article as information comes in.
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