Juneteenth, a celebration of Black liberation, is observed every year on June 19th with celebrations all around the East Bay and beyond. The holiday falls over a weekend this year, and on the same day as Father’s Day, so 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 3, 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 >
Juneteenth on the Waterfront
Saturday, June 11, 9 am – 2 pm at San Francisco Ferry Building
Celebrate local Black-owned businesses with a day of community and delicious food at the 2nd 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 >
Alameda Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, 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 >
Juneteenth Events for {510} Families – Juneteenth weekend
Richmond Juneteenth Family Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 18, 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. Learn more >
Sponsor
2nd Annual Hayward Juneteenth Celebration & Wellness Festival
Saturday, June 18, 10 am – 1 pm at Hayward Heritage Plaza
Join the fun at this celebration, which will also be part of a Wellness Festival. Look forward to dancing and yoga sessions. Children can participate in activities like rock climbing and arts & crafts within the Kids Zone. Read more >
Color of Change Juneteenth Celebration, San Leandro Marina
Saturday, June 18, noon – 4 pm at Marina Park, San Leandro
Kicking off a summer of Black Joy, join Color of Change as they dance, laugh, play games, and eat while strategizing new ways to center, uplift, and WIN for Black folks. RSVP requested. If it isn’t an entirely kid-centric party, the marina is a fun place for kids.
Free the People Block Party, Oakland
Saturday, June 18, noon – 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. Plus, celebrate the one-year anniversary of the WBPP West Oakland mural. Find more details about this free event >
Juneteenth Weekend at Lake Merritt
Saturday, June 18 & Sunday, June 19, noon – 8 pm at Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Afrocentric Oakland’s Juneteenth Weekend features two days of community and culture. On Saturday, join the 10th annual PanAfrican Wellness Fest, a full day dedicated to holistic wellness. On Sunday, go to FAM BAM X, a festival all about culture and family. Kids’ zones and activities will be at both events. Tickets range from $5-20 per person. Visit the festival website >
Albany Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 19, 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 >
Sponsor
Juneteenth Celebration Hike
Sunday, June 19, 10 – 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 community hike. Designed for families and drop-in friendly. Learn more >
Juneteenth Baseball Event
Sunday, June 19, 10:30 – 11:30 am at Ardenwood Farm
Playing baseball is part of the tradition of Juneteenth. See it in action at Ardenwood Farm’s Juneteenth event. Hit off a tee, run the bases, and discover more about the history of America’s second Independence Day. Read more >
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival
Sunday, June 19, 11 am – 7 pm near Ashby BART Station
Berkeley hosts its 35th Annual Juneteenth gathering on Adeline and Alcatraz Streets. This large community event centers around the theme of Belonging. Families can enjoy a kids’ zone, STEM activities, performances, and live music at the festival. Plus, admission is free. See festival details >
Juneteenth Poppin’ Roller Skate Party
Sunday, June 19, 11 am – 4 pm near Ashby BART Station
New this year as part of Berkeley’s Juneteenth Festival, the city’s Recreation Division will host a roller staking party for all ages. Roll and glide to music at the rink. All skill levels are welcome. Find out more >
Juneteenth & Father’s Day Celebration
Sunday, June 19, 11 am – 4 pm at Crab Cove Visitor Center
Juneteenth and Father’s Day fall on the same day this year. Celebrate both holidays at Crab Cove. Families can enjoy time at the beach, make a craft or visit the center’s animals. Find out more >
Want more ideas? Visit our event calendar for other happenings on June 19, 2022.
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 Celebration
Saturday, June 18, 11 am – 4 pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
Join the 32nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Vallejo. This free event celebrates black joy and culture with tasty eats, children’s activities, and musical entertainment. Read more >
Juneteenth in the Street Festival, San Jose
Saturday, June 18, 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 >
Juneteenth Block Party, Suisun City
Saturday, June 18, 11 am – 5 pm at Suisun City Marina
Suisun City will host its 1st annual Juneteenth Block Party. This community event promotes family values and Black culture. Children will enjoy storytelling, arts and crafts, bounce houses, and live music and dance. Admission is free. See event details >
San Francisco Juneteenth
Sunday, June 19, 11 am – 5 pm at Gilman Park
Cross the bridge into San Francisco for a Juneteenth celebration in Bayview’s Gilman Park. Families can enjoy food, live music, and kids’ games at this free community event. Find more details >
Brentwood Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 19, noon – 5 pm at Brentwood City Park
Come celebrate African-American culture at Brentwood’s Juneteenth community event. Families can listen to live music, shop from local artisans, and listen to speakers. Learn more >
Take Action on Juneteenth
Learn about Juneteenth from the Oakland Public Library.
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 offerings for families >
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!
