Fireworks celebrations, picnics, and sparklers mark Independence Day on July 4—but in 1776, the year the “all men are created equal”-affirming Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress, much of the American populous remained enslaved. That’s why many consider Juneteenth the day of American freedom. Officially recognized as a state holiday in California since 2003, Juneteenth (short for June 19th) marks the end of slavery in the United States.
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but it wasn’t until June 19 in 1865 when Union troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce this law that the institution of slavery was finally toppled. Now a meaningful day for Americans everywhere—especially those of African descent—Juneteenth is celebrated all over the country. In California, this means all-day block parties, star-studded concerts, and food-filled festivals. Here’s how and where to honor the holiday in 2025, and how you can keep the celebration going by supporting Black-owned businesses in California all year.
Sacramento Juneteenth Festival
Sacramento’s two-day-long affair (June 19–20) will kick off with a “Gospel Under the Stars” concert on Friday night in William Land Regional Park. On Saturday, the festival expands to two stages with keynote speakers, local bands, and a community talent show. Come Sunday, golfers can enjoy a day on the links with the Juneteenth Tournament on William Land Golf Course.
Sonoma County Juneteenth, Santa Rosa
The 56th Annual MLK Festival of Diversity and Inclusion marks a time-honored tradition in Santa Rosa that features gospel, jazz, and R&B performances on June 13. Other highlights include educational speakers, an arts-and-crafts fair, domino games, and a basketball tournament.
San Francisco Juneteenth Weekend
Founded in the spring of 2020 in solidarity with the George Floyd uprising, SF Black Wallstreet is committed to creating economic power for Black residents in the Bay Area and beyond on June 19. This year’s Juneteenth celebration in Gilman Playground—held on Sunday, June 21—will focus on dads and families (it’s also Father’s Day and the organization’s sixth anniversary) with amusement park rides, live performances, and one-of-a-kind shopping at the Black Millionaire Marketplace.
Juneteenth Weekend, Oakland
Famous for a legacy of Black history and culture, the city of Oakland honors Juneteenth in a big way. Head to Cloud Park for Hella Juneteenth Festival on the 19th, and Brockhurst St. in West Oakland on the 27th for the Juneteenth Celebration & Street Festival, where the theme this year is "Remembering Where We Come From to Rise Above the Odds."
Juneteenth in the Streets, San Jose
Presented by the African American Community Service Agency, 2026 marks the 45th celebration of San Jose’s official Juneteenth jubilee. Join an expected 6,000-plus revelers on June 13 to witness the Bill Pickett Rodeo and take in performances from nearly a dozen artists, including R&B superstars SWV and Montell Jordan, singer/actor/entrepreneur Kisha Grandy-Lee, and poet/writer Prentice Powell.
Juneteenth Santa Barbara
The city’s annual Juneteenth celebration recognizes the history and accomplishments of Santa Barbara’s Black residents past, present, and future with free food, dancing, and music. Held at Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park, the “Love for the People”–themed celebration on June 19 will feature live local music, dancing, poetry, spoken word, artist exhibitions, storytelling, a kids zone, beer and wine garden, and food trucks. Also featured will be the return of the Black Artisan Market.
Back on the Block Juneteenth Festival, Los Angeles
Back on the Block’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Festival rolls through Downtown L.A. Center Studios on Saturday, June 13, from 1–7 p.m. Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter, musician, and producer Kenyon Dixson and singer-songwriter Jaquees will headline the stage. Plus, learn about and peruse the offerings of 150-plus Black-owned businesses and 40 food vendors. Also not to be missed are a VIP rooftop lounge, pop-up DJs, giveaways, gaming, and family‑friendly activities.
Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation at CAAM, Los Angeles
L.A.’s California African American Museum (CAAM) is dedicated to the preservation of African American art and culture year round. On Juneteenth, the museum will present an exhibition, Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation, which “recovers histories largely excluded from existing narratives and exposes powerful ways that print culture, artistic practice, and performance styles shaped, advanced, and interpreted Black queer social movements alongside political and legal activism.”
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration, Irvine
Juneteenth celebrations take place throughout Orange County communities, with festivals honoring Black culture, history, and community through live music, food, performances, and family-friendly activities. In addition to Irvine’s June 20 bash, events include Buena Park’s Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom, featuring concerts, vendors, and activities for all ages, as well as the Orange County Juneteenth Festival in Santa Ana.
The Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
Long Beach’s Juneteenth festivities include the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Juneteenth at the Aquarium, with cultural performances, educational programming, and family-friendly activities (June 19). The celebration continues June 20 with Juneteenth at King Park, a community gathering featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and local organizations. That evening, the World-Famous VIP Block Party brings the festivities to a close with music, dancing, and a high-energy celebration of freedom and resilience.
Juneteenth Freedom Weekend, Palm Springs
Join the desert community with an activity-filled weekend of food, fashion, and entertainment June 18–20. This year, Palm Springs will kick things off with its weekly VillageFest in downtown on the 18th, followed by the Unity Picnic & Concert in the Park on the 19th, and finally the Juneteenth Pagaent: A Century of Black History Commemorations, an evening celebrating Black culture, history, excellence, and community, on the 20th at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center.
Cooper Family Foundation Juneteenth Freedom Festival, San Diego
This family-friendly celebration has been a beloved San Diego tradition for more than 50 years. What started in the parking lot of the family-owned Cooper Grocery Store has since expanded to welcome thousands of people to Memorial Park in Logan Hills. The Saturday, June 20 event will feature food trucks, educational speakers, local vendors, and live gospel and jazz music.
Juneteenth Kinfolk Fest, San Diego
Celebrate freedom and culture at Kinfolk Fest—San Diego’s Juneteenth Festival for the Culture, happening Saturday, June 20, from 1–9 p.m. at Waterfront Park (1600 Pacific Hwy). Enjoy R&B, hip‑hop, Afrobeats and diaspora sounds, browse 50-plus Black‑owned vending stalls, savor food and craft drinks, and join games and giveaways in this joyous 21+ celebration.
