Dancers celebrating Juneteenth in Oakland, 2023.
Sabrina Sellers/Special to the Chronicle
In 1863, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was enacted, marking the official end of slavery in the United States. However, it took nearly two years for the news to be communicated to all states. Reportedly, it was finally read to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, which is why Juneteenth is observed each year on this date. The occasion became an official Federal holiday when, on June 17, 2021, President Biden signed it into law.
The San Francisco Juneteenth parade happened earlier in the month, but events leading up to the holiday (it’s on a Wednesday this year) continue through the weekend providing plenty of options to celebrate freedom, Black joy and culture in America. And for a deep dive into visual arts, a visit to the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco is a great place to get started.
Check out the Chronicle’s guide to the best Juneteenth events happening around the Bay Area in 2024.
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Berkeley Juneteenth Festival: ‘Glory’
Held along five blocks in the South Berkeley Adeline corridor, the annual celebration is set to feature family-friendly entertainment, including live African drumming, jazz, dance, spoken word and more on two stages. There will be a marketplace, children’s activities, food vendors and more.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, June 16. Free. Adeline St. and Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. 510-524-8804. https://berkeleyjuneteenth.org
A singer belts out a tune from the stage of the Bayview Father’s Day and Juneteenth celebration in Gilman Park, San Francisco, 2023.
Michael Cabanatuan/The Chronicle
Juneteenth Bayview Father’s Day Festival
A celebration featuring Father’s Day and Juneteenth activities in the park, food vendors and marketplace, a hip-hop cypher, live music and entertainment, carnival rides and family-friendly activities.
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Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, June 16. Free. Gilman Park, 903 Gilman Ave., S.F. 415-851-1752. www.sf-juneteenth.com
The Living Room S.F. Juneteenth Poetry Reading
Kevin Dublin will host a night featuring local poets sharing work focused on the experience of being a Black poet in San Francisco.
6:30 p.m. June 17. Free, donations encouraged; reservations recommended. Kimpton Alton Hotel, 2700 Jones St., S.F. https://thelivingroomsf.com
Juneteenth Family Celebration
The children’s museum event is set to include an animated short film screening (presented by the Silicon Valley African Film Festival), a West African drumming workshop and an instrument-making craft activity.
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9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Included with museum admission, reservations recommended. Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. 408-298-5437. www.cdm.org
Coyote Hills Juneteenth Hike
East Bay Regional Parks District will celebrate with a free naturalist-led hike commemorating local contributions of Black individuals in the areas of science, conservation and visual arts.
10 a.m. hike on Wednesday, June 19. Free. Coyote Hills Regional Park, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont. 510-544-3220. www.ebparks.org/parks
Black Family Reunion: Juneteenth Block Party
Meet up for an outdoor party with music, food vendors, family-friendly activities and an awards ceremony celebrating local community leaders.
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11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Free, reservations recommended. African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., S.F. 415-404-9656. https://juneteenth-sf.org
Pictured is a scene from a past Hayward’s annual Juneteenth celebration. It will be held this year on June 22 at Heritage Plaza.
Hayward Juneteenth/Russell Foote
Oakland Museum of California’s Juneteenth Hella Cookout
The afternoon event will feature a culinary collaboration by Bay Area Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants including Last Supper Society, Town Fare, Sobre Mesa and Smokin’ Woods Barbecue. Also on the agenda are live DJ sets, a spades tournament, line dancing, wine tasting with Black Vines, an art installation and more.
1-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $10-$75, reservations recommended. Oakland Museum of California, Oakland. 510-318-8400. https://museumca.org
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Newark Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Celebrate the holiday with live entertainment, a cultural exhibition, food trucks, giveaways, family-friendly activities and more.
1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Free. Silliman Center, 6800 Mowry Ave., Newark. 510-578-4000. www.newark.org
A Musical Juneteenth Celebration
Enjoy three sets of live music featuring the Stephanie Woodford Quartet, Veotis and August Lee Stevens.
4-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Free. Golden Gate Park Bandshell, 74 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., S.F. https://illuminate.org
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
The Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer event featuring networking, speakers, food and drinks.
5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $10-$150, 21 and older; reservations recommended. Mix Downtown, 1525 L St., Sacramento. https://sacblackchamber.org
Juneteenth in the Town Jubilee: ‘Reclaiming Our Legacy’
Oakland-native and community leader Loren Taylor is set to host a celebration of Black Oakland. The event is scheduled to include civic leadership and community service awards, live music from the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and jazz tenor saxophone phenom Ayo Brame. With catering by Oakland’s Chef Lala, wine from Alameda County’s black woman-owned Wachira Wines, cocktails by Old Hillside Bourbon Company and live DJ sets.
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $75-$150, reservations required. Block Community Hub, 1955 Broadway, Oakland. www.visitoakland.com
Juneteenth Bike Ride
Hop on your bike for a a mid-week, after-work ride celebrating black joy and liberation. Wear bright, colorful clothes and illuminated accessories for the occasion. Snacks and wireless speakers are welcome.
5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Free, reservations recommended. Sports Basement, 2727 Milvia St., Berkeley. 510-984-3907. www.sportsbasement.com
People gather for the Juneteenth Celebration in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, 2023.
Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle
‘Do the Right Thing’ Screening
Enjoy a bite to eat and drinks at a screening of Spike Lee’s 1989 funny and tragic film about American race relations set on a block in Brooklyn’s Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood.
6 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $11.75-$13.75, reservations recommended. Alamo Drafthouse, 2550 Mission St., S.F. 415-549-5959. https://drafthouse.com/sf
Hayes Valley Juneteenth Pride Stroll
Celebrate black entertainers at SFJazz with a behind-the-scenes tour of the center, live DJ sets and drag from Kai Kai Bee Michaels, Alotta Boutte, Major Hammy and others. Food and drinks available and neighboring merchants will offer additional treats and entertainment.
7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $25, reservations recommended. SFJazz, 201 Franklin St., S.F. 866-920-5299. www.sfjazz.org
‘3rd & Palou’
A staged reading of local actor/filmmaker Biko Eisen-Martin’s new play focused on the 1966 Hunters Point Uprising, which occurred as an outpouring of community action in response to an SFPD officer killing of a Black teen in the neighborhood.
7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Free. Ruth Williams Opera House, 4705 Third St., S.F. 415-824-0386. https://rwoh.org
A person hikes along a trail in Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.
Paul Chinn/The Chronicle
Far Out West: ‘Farming While Black’
An outdoor, film screening and panel discussion about Black farmers, agricultural heritage and food sovereignty. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages available.
7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. Free, $10 suggested donation; reservations recommended. Far Out West Dune Community Garden, 1399 43rd Ave., S.F. www.faroutwestcommunity.org
Comedian Baron Vaughn
Join the co-creator and host of Comedy Central’s “The New Negroes” and regular “Will and Grace” actor/comedian for an evening of standup comedy.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $27-$39, reservations recommended. The Punchline, 444 Battery St., S.F. 415-397-7573. www.punchlinecomedyclub.com
Azar Lawrence Experience
Check out original live jazz from the acclaimed saxophonist, whose performance resume includes musical heavyweights Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Busta Rhymes, Roberta Flack, Earth Wind & Fire and Marvin Gaye.
8 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. $33-$69, reservations recommended. Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 510-238-9200. https://yoshis.com
Christelle Durandy Sanktet
The jazz vocalist and her ensemble offer Afro-Caribbean and jazz vibes in a free, lunchtime performance on the outdoor mainstage set in a popular urban greenspace.
12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Free. Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between Third and Fourth Streets, S.F. 415-543-1718. https://ybgfestival.org
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir (pictured) will perform on June 19 at Juneteenth in the Town Jubilee in Oakland.
Freight and Salvage
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
Terrance Kelly will conduct the vocal ensemble in a Juneteenth program featuring Black gospel music and freedom songs from the Civil Rights movement era to today.
8 p.m. Friday, June 21. $25-$35, reservations recommended. Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. 925-373-6800. https://livermorearts.org
City of Richmond Juneteenth Parade and Festival
The parade route leads to a community celebration featuring food vendors, a marketplace, live music, entertainment and more.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. Nichol Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. www.ci.richmond.ca.us
A mural dedicated to community leader George “Rocky” Graham is seen in Marin City, 2023.
Amy Osborne/Special to The Chronicle
Marin City Juneteenth Festival: ‘Umoja’
The annual community festival is set to feature an African Marketplace, live performances, supervised children’s area, arts and craft activities, horse rides, food vendors and more.
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. Rocky Graham Park, 800 Drake Ave., Sausalito. https://juneteenthcommunityfestival.info
LakeFest Oakland: ‘It Takes a Village’
A daytime summer festival with an emphasis on community and culture celebrates Juneteenth. Set to take place along the nature-rich shoreline of Lake Merritt, it’s scheduled to include live music and entertainment, a fashion show, an artisan marketplace, food vendors, children’s area, a beer garden, wellness zone and more.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free-$10, reservations recommended. 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. https://lakefestoakland.com
Oakland Juneteenth Festival: ‘Reaching for Wholeness, One Love, One Liberation’
A family-friendly celebration of Black/African culture, the annual Oakland festival will offer live music, DJ sets, Black cowboys, food and merchandise vendors, quilting exhibition, youth activities and more.
11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free, reservations recommended. Brockhurst St., between Market St. and San Pablo Ave., Oakland. 510-290-0811. www.bhbrilliantminds.org/
Donnell McAlister of Vallejo gives a thumbs up as Dakota Lane, 6, of San Pablo, pets his horse JJ during a Juneteenth Day event in Oakland, 2021.
Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle
Justice Vanguard Juneteenth Festival
Celebrate the holiday at a community festival set to include an auction, poetry readings and speakers, live music, marketplace, barbecue and drinks.
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free, reservations recommended. Hillview Park, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. www.justicevanguard.org
Hayward Juneteenth Celebration
West Coast Blues Society and the City of Hayward present an annual festival, set to include live blues music from Leo Oliver and the Blues Knockouts, the West Coast Caravan of All-Stars with Fillmore Slim, Mississippi Chuck Wallace and others; food trucks, children’s activities, a wine and beer garden, and local vendors.
Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. Hayward Heritage Plaza, 835 C St., Hayward. www.hayward-ca.gov
‘Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars: A Juneteenth Celebration Through Dance’
Soak in dance and music and learn about American history as Grown Women Dance Collective hosts an outdoor dance performance including soloists from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company and more. The program will feature works honoring the legacies of DMX, Little RIchard, Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte and Maya Angelou.
3-5 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. Old Oakland Parking Lot, 806 Washington St., Oakland. 925-680-4400. www.grownwomendance.org
Grown Women Dance Collective (pictured) will offer dance workshops and live performances as part of its “Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars: A Juneteenth Celebration Through Dance” program in Oakland on June 22.
Grown Women Dance Collective
Levitt Vibe Oakland Music Series: Kahil El’Zabar-David Murray Duo and Demeanor
Enjoy an outdoor evening concert in the park with world-class jazz artists, multi-percussionist El’Zabar and saxophonist Murray. The acclaimed duo will also be performing on Tuesday, June 18 at the Backroom in Berkeley. The free performance will also feature a set from roots banjo player/rapper/hip-hop producer, Demeanor. Food vendors and marketplace onsite.
3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free, reservations required. Liberation Park, 6955 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. 510-470-0183. https://blackculturalzone.org
Black Laughs Matter Stand-Up Comedy Festival
Enjoy a stand-up showcase featuring live comedy sets from rising Black comedians in the recently refurbished 117-year old North Beach venue.
7 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Savoy Tivoli, 1434 Grant Ave., S.F. 415-970-6901. www.savoytivoli.com
Concord Juneteenth: ‘Healing Roots/Thriving Future’
Celebrate Black wellness with community exhibitors, a fashion show, craft activities, food trucks, live music, spoken word performances, double dutch team and Capoeira demonstrations, children’s activities, a wellness village with Reiki and massage, local vendors and more.
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Free, reservations recommended. Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord. www.visitconcordca.com/events
Dancers Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan and vocalist Lisa Fischer perform in “The Propelled Heart” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco.
Chris Hardy Photography
West Coast Makers Juneteenth Foodiefest Cookout
The outdoor event will include live music and DJ sets, children’s activities, food trucks and more than 100 black-owned, local vendors.
Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Free, reservations recommended. Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. www.instagram.com/westcoast.makers/
Lisa Fischer and Taylor Eigsti with Lines Ballet Dancers Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan
Brooklyn-native vocalist Lisa Fischer and Grammy Award-winning pianist Taylor Eigsti perform a program featuring semi-improvised movement from dancers Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan.
2 p.m. Sunday, June 23. $50-$75, reservations recommended. The Raven Performing Arts Center, 115 North St., Healdsburg. https://healdsburgjazz.org
Anne Schrager: [email protected]
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