Juneteenth, a celebration of Black liberation, is observed every year on June 19th with celebrations all around the East Bay and beyond. There are many events that families can enjoy together. (White allies, here are 10 ideas for you.)
Juneteenth Events for Families – celebrate early
Oakland First Friday – Juneteenth
Friday, June 2, 5 – 9 pm on Telegraph Avenue from West Grand to 27th Street
Join Oakland First Fridays as the community event observes Juneteenth. Be a part of the celebration of freedom and inclusion through expressions of art, music, and dance. Check out event details >
East Oakland Futures Fest
Saturday, June 3, 11 am – 6 pm at 90th Avenue & Holly Street in Oakland
The East Oakland Futures Festival is a block party with an Afrofuturistic theme showcasing the best in East Oakland’s food, arts, tech, and culture. Admission is free and invites all ages. It’s part of a larger event series for Liberation Month curated by Black Cultural Zone. Check out event details >
Juneteenth on the Waterfront
Saturday, June 10, 9 am – 2 pm at San Francisco Ferry Building
Celebrate local Black-owned businesses with a day of community and delicious food at the 3rd annual Juneteenth on the Waterfront. Kids can participate in crafts and families can see a cooking demonstration. This free event takes place at the San Francisco Ferry Building; take the ferry from Oakland or Richmond for added fun. See the vendors and learn more >
San Francisco Juneteenth Parade
Sunday, June 10, 11 am – 2 pm at Civic Center
Cross the bridge into San Francisco for a Juneteenth celebration. The parade begins at Civic Center and ends at the Ferry Building. Families can enjoy food, live music, poetry, and skits at this free community event. Find more details >
Alameda Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 11, 1-5 pm at South Shore Center
This free community event is a good option to kick off Juneteenth celebrations because it takes place the weekend before the holiday. Enjoy live music, food, and a children’s garden. See the details >
Pinole Pride
Saturday, June 11, 12 pm – 3 pm at Fernandez Park
This community gathering in Pinole recognized Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride and Pinole’s 120th birthday. There will be children’s activities, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon designs, petting zoo, food trucks and music. Reserve a spot >
Annual Hayward Juneteenth Street Party
Thursday, June 15, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Hayward Heritage Plaza
Join the fun at this street party. Look forward to live music, tasty food, family fun, a beer & wine garden, and a classic car show. Read more >
Friday Nights at OMCA: Juneteenth
Friday, June 16, 5 pm – 9 pm at Oakland Museum of California
Spend the evening celebrating Black joy and honoring Black students, staff, and families in Oakland schools. Like all Friday Nights at OMCA events, programming is family-friendly and free. Enjoy music and interactive activities; don’t forget to order dinner from one of Off the Grid food trucks on site. Learn more >
Juneteenth Events for {510} Families – Juneteenth weekend
Richmond Juneteenth Family Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 17, 10 am – 6 pm at Nicholl Park
Watch the Juneteenth Family Parade in Richmond at 10 am. The route begins near Booker T. Anderson Community Center and travels toward Nicholl Park. Stay at the park for an afternoon for community and cultural fun at the festival, kicking off at 11 am. Learn more >
Free the People Block Party, Oakland
Saturday, June 17, 11 am – 7 pm at The Mural House
Join this community gathering put on by the Women of The Black Panther Party. Take part and enjoy music, food, bubbles, dancing, performances, a bouncy house, and free entry to Black Panther Party Mini-Museum. Find more details about this free event >
Juneteenth Celebration Social Paddle
Saturday, June 17, 10 am – 12 pm at Mike’s Paddle in Alameda
Socialize and celebrate Juneteenth during a paddle event hosted by Mike’s Paddle. Light refreshments and snacks provided. Register in advance. See the details >
Oakland Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 17, noon – 8 pm at Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Afrocentric Oakland’s Juneteenth Festival is a celebration of community, family and culture. Enjoy kids’ events, food, music, workshops, art installations and other family-friendly activities. Tickets range from $25 per person. Visit the festival website >
Freedom Day at MoAD
Saturday, June 17, 11 am – 6 pm at Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco
Celebrate Juneteenth with a Freedom Day at MoAD, which can be enjoyed in person and virtually. Families can enjoy complimentary access to exhibits, music and presentations. More details on the website >
Albany Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 18, 10 am – 5 pm, at 1251 Solano Avenue, Albany
Listen to live music, shop the craft fair and enjoy delicious food at the Albany Juneteenth Celebration. Held at the corners of Solano and Masonic Avenues. See details >
Juneteenth Celebration Hike
Sunday, June 18, 10 am – 11:30 am at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Celebrate Black contributions and achievements throughout history and in the fields of science, conservation, and art during this all ages community hike. Designed for families and drop-in friendly. Learn more >
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival
Sunday, June 18, 11 am – 7 pm near Ashby BART Station
Berkeley hosts its 36th Annual Juneteenth gathering on Adeline and Alcatraz Streets. This large community event features a kids’ zone, STEM activities, performances, and live music at the festival. Plus, admission is free. See festival details >
Juneteenth Concert
Sunday, June 18, 1 pm – 2:30 pm at Golden Gate Park Music Concourse
The Golden Gate Band will perform in honor of Juneteenth. Enjoy a collection of music from contemporary and historical black composers. Learn more >
Juneteenth Events for Families – close out the month
East Oakland Futures Fest
Saturday, June 24, 11 am – 6 pm at San Pablo Avenue at Brockhurst Street in Oakland
This end-of-the-month celebration will be a day filled with fun with live performances, a cultural exhibition, fun games, a car show, a gospel explosion, and a fashion show. More details >
Concord Juneteenth
Sunday, June 25, 1 pm – 4 pm at Todos Santos Plaza
Join the Juneteenth Celebration in Concord. This free event honors the past and rejoices at the future. Enjoy delicious food, musical entertainment and vendors. Learn more >
Want more ideas? Visit our event calendar for other happenings on June 19, 2023.
Juneteenth Weekend Events for {510} Families – worth the drive?
There are so many celebrations. We’ve listed just a few more that might be worth a trip depending on where your weekend takes you.
Vallejo Juneteenth Parade & Celebration
Saturday, June 17, 9 am – 5 pm at Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green
Join the 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Vallejo. This free event celebrates black joy and culture with tasty eats, children’s activities, and musical entertainment. A parade begins at 9 am at Broadway and Tennessee Street; the Festival begins at 11 am at Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green. Read more >
Juneteenth in the Street Festival, San Jose
Saturday, June 17, noon – 7 pm in San Jose
San Jose’s Juneteenth community festival is one of the area’s longest-running celebrations of the holiday. Enjoy the creativity of African American artists, entertainers, and entrepreneurs on full display through music, food, and art. Learn more >
Take Action on Juneteenth
Visit MoAD. San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora is a contemporary art museum that celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning. Kids ages 12 and under are free.
Looking for some new restaurants to try? We love this round-up of Black-owned restaurants in the East Bay — dine in or get takeout all weekend long.
Support Black farmers and artisans at AKOMA Market in Oakland’s Liberation Park. Learn more about the market and its schedule >
Sing and dance to this Juneteenth Song for kids with Alphabet Rockers and Fyütch.
Join film viewings and discussions. Parents and teens (or older) may enjoy attending Oakland Public Library’s Juneteenth: Liberation Weekend Film Series throughout June and July.
Support Black youth in our area! Our (510) community suggested their favorite organizations, dance classes, bike shops, coding programs, and outdoor education groups for Black youth in the East Bay. Sign up for a class, make a donation, or do both.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is honored every year on June 19. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free.
If you have more terrific ideas to commemorate Juneteenth, let us know in the comments!
xxx
1 thought on “19+ Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Kids”
Celebrate in Antioch https://www.antiochca.gov/juneteenth/