Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday in 2021, but it’s been celebrated by Black communities since 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, discovered they were free — over two months after the end of the Civil War and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Your Guide to Juneteenth 2025 in the Bay Area
Alexandria Osei-Amoako enjoys the day with her children at the Hella Juneteenth event at the Oakland Museum of California’s garden on June 19, 2024. (Gina Castro/KQED)
Here in the Bay Area, there are so many ways to honor Juneteenth — whether you’re interested in a KMEL-soundtracked block party, kid-friendly activities or a contemplative exhibition of contemporary art. Be sure to note: The festivities kick off long before June 19 proper.
‘Black Gold: Stories Untold’
June 6–Nov. 2, 2025
Fort Point, San Francisco
FOR-SITE, a curatorial project that organizes site-specific exhibitions on national park land (notably @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz), has returned to San Francisco’s Fort Point for a new large-scale exhibition. Black Gold: Stories Untold brings together 17 contemporary artists and collectives to reflect on the African Americans who lived in California between the Gold Rush and Reconstruction, when this supposed “free” state was complicit in the enslavement of Black people.
Juneteenth on the Waterfront
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza, San Francisco
Sponsored
The fifth annual Juneteenth on the Waterfront offers food and drinks from 20 Black entrepreneurs, a pop-up market of local crafts and family activities.
San Francisco Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fillmore District, San Francisco
Spanning eight city blocks and featuring dozens of retail and food vendors, along with free carnival rides and games, San Francisco’s Juneteenth Festival is a guaranteed mega-celebration (it drew over 25,000 attendees last year). Put on your dancing shoes: The event includes an R&B Block Party hosted by KMEL, live performances by 3TOB (the original Tony Toni Toné band), Club Nouveau and many, many more.
Juneteenth in the Streets
Saturday, June 14, 12–7 p.m.
SoFA District, Downtown San Jose
R&B singer Mario headlines San Jose’s Juneteenth celebration, organized by the African American Community Service Agency. Last year, the festivities included the marching bands of Florida A&M University and Alabama State University.
Healdsburg Jazz Festival Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14, 2–8:30 p.m.
Healdsburg Plaza, Healdsburg
This free day of concerts within the jazz festival features piano player Orrin Evans, Miss Faye Carol (with her trio and a string quartet) and the Tyreek McDole Quintet. Families are extra welcome; interactive activities for kids and parents include hands-on art and dance workshops.
Pride, Protest, & Praise: A Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14, 8–10 p.m.
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Chorus (over 300 members strong, with singers ages five to 100) join forces to share classic songs of the civil rights movement and other inspiring anthems, backed by a house gospel band. Attendees are invited to sing along.
San Francisco Bayview Juneteenth Father’s Day Festival
Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Gilman Park, San Francisco
R&B stars Lloyd and Musiq Soulchild anchor a day of double-duty celebrations (Juneteenth and Father’s Day) in Bayview’s Gilman Park. The day’s events include rides, retail and food vendors, a sip-and-paint led by artist Jermaine Dante Burse and a homemade pie contest.
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival
Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Alcatraz at Adeline, Berkeley
Berkeley’s Juneteenth celebrations are centered on family entertainment. Hence: a slime bar, a rock wall, activities organized by Skate Like a Girl and performances by the Prescott Circus. (A more adult-geared stage will host performers like Dee Dee Simon and the Twilight Brass Band.)
Hella Juneteenth Festival
Thursday, June 19, 12–5 p.m.
Oakland Museum of California
Presented by Hella Creative, this event in the garden and amphitheater at OMCA includes two stages with live DJs, lawn games, line dancing and dishes from Black chefs and restaurants. The festivities will flow into an after party at a yet-to-be determined location to watch the Golden State Valkyries take on the Indiana Fever.
Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration
Thursday, June 19, 4–8 p.m.
Williamson Ranch Park, Antioch
The fourth annual city-sponsored Juneteenth celebration in Antioch includes performances by Universal Soul Band (you may recognize them from Warriors home games) and Shanice. Expect games and rides, food and retail vendors.
Vallejo Juneteenth Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Parade at Tennessee St. & Sonoma Blvd., festival at Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green, Vallejo
Vallejo celebrates Juneteenth with both a parade and a day of festivities along the Napa River waterfront. Musical acts include Tony Lindsay, The Soul Soldiers and the supergroup Oakland Rising. Expect both practical offerings (info on local volunteer opportunities) and pure celebratory vibes (face painting!).
Richmond Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Nicholl Park, Richmond
Like other cities, Richmond organizes both a parade and festival to celebrate the holiday. Yet-to-be-announced musical acts will be on the main stage all day, with KMEL broadcasting live on-site.
Marin City Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Rocky Graham Park, Sausalito
“The Marin City Festival is smaller than its Oakland and Berkeley cousins. However, it is significant in its richness,” declares this event’s site. Marin City was once predominantly Black — a community drawn by work in wartime shipyards, and restricted from living elsewhere in Marin County due to segregation and redlining. While the demographics have shifted and longtime residents have moved elsewhere in the decades since, the Juneteenth event advertises itself as “a big family reunion.”
San Francisco Juneteenth Parade
Sunday, June 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Along Market St., from Spear to 8th, San Francisco
Sponsored
San Francisco’s third annual Juneteenth Parade welcomes spectators to set up their lawn and folding chairs along Market Street. “The people in the parade are grateful to be seen, whether it’s by one person or one thousand,” Dr. Sheryl Davis told KQED last year. “People often talk about how many Black folks have left the city, but they don’t mention the people who still live here.” The parade culminates in a celebration at Fulton Plaza, 12–6 p.m.
