California communities will mark Juneteenth 2025 with a range of events, from concerts and festivals to educational programs and family activities. Juneteenth, recognized as a state holiday in California since 2003, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
In Sacramento, celebrations will begin on June 20 with a “Gospel Under the Stars” concert at William Land Regional Park. The festival continues on June 21 with live music, speakers, and a community talent show across two stages. A golf tournament is scheduled for Sunday at William Land Golf Course.
Santa Rosa’s annual MLK Festival of Diversity and Inclusion will take place on June 14. The event features gospel, jazz, and R&B performances along with educational speakers and an arts-and-crafts fair. Attendees can also participate in domino games and a basketball tournament before marching from Julliard Park to Martin Luther King, Jr. Square.
San Francisco’s Juneteenth celebration is organized by SF Black Wallstreet at Gilman Playground on June 15. This year’s event focuses on families and fathers while marking the organization’s fifth anniversary. Activities include amusement park rides, live performances, and shopping at the Black Millionaire Marketplace.
Oakland will host several events throughout the week. On June 14, Oakland Cemetery will be the site of the Juneteenth Family Festival. The Hella Juneteenth Festival takes place at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19. Brockhurst Street in West Oakland will hold its street festival on June 21 under the theme “We Are Tapping Into The Ancestors’ Wisdom and Having the Freedom to Express Ourselves!”
San Jose’s African American Community Service Agency presents its 44th annual Juneteenth jubilee on June 14 with more than a dozen artists performing. Featured acts include country singer Tiera Kennedy, gospel artist Kim Burrell, and R&B headliner Mario.
Santa Barbara’s Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park hosts its annual celebration recognizing local Black history with music, dance, poetry readings, art exhibitions, food vendors—including food trucks—and children’s activities under this year’s theme “Hope for the People.” The Black Artisan Market returns as part of festivities.
Los Angeles offers multiple ways to observe Juneteenth. Back on the Block’s fourth annual festival happens downtown at L.A. Center Studios on June 15 from 1–8 p.m., featuring musical headliners Mario, THEY., and Reason alongside over 150 Black-owned businesses and numerous food vendors. Other highlights include a VIP rooftop lounge and family-friendly activities.
The California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles presents an exhibition titled Repossessions & Reparations exploring reparations through art.
Long Beach’s Rainbow Lagoon Park hosts its celebration on June 14 with step shows, spoken word poetry performances, inspirational speakers as well as music and food offerings along waterfront walkways.
Palm Springs celebrates Juneteenth Freedom Weekend from June 19–21 beginning with Village Fest downtown followed by pageants and concerts including a Kool & the Gang tribute band performance; it concludes with a film screening at Palm Springs Art Museum followed by a picnic downtown.
San Diego’s Cooper Family Foundation continues its long-standing tradition with an event at Memorial Park in Logan Hills on Saturday, June 21 featuring food trucks, educational talks and children’s activities such as a bicycle rodeo.
Also in San Diego is Kinfolk Fest: San Diego’s Juneteenth Festival for the Culture happening Saturday evening at Waterfront Park where attendees can enjoy music ranging from R&B to Afrobeats while browsing stalls run by Black-owned businesses.
“NEWSWORTHY”
