Celebrate Juneteenth in the Bay Area
Don't miss “Juneteenth! at the Museum,” hosted by the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Photo courtesy of OMCA.
Juneteenth, celebrated nationally on June 19, marks the day when the last enslaved people in the United States were freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Although it officially became a federal holiday in 2021, San Francisco has honored Juneteenth since 1950. This year, throughout the Bay, you can celebrate freedom, reflect, learn and recognize the contributions of Black Americans. From neighborhood festivals to sporting events, here are our favorite BARTable Juneteenth events. Don't forget your Clipper card. We’ll see you there!
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Juneteenth events in San Francisco
Head to the Ferry Building for Juneteenth on the Waterfront on June 7. Photo courtesy of Foodwise.
Juneteenth on the Waterfront | Embarcadero
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Ferry Building on June 7 with an afternoon of live music, food and community on San Francisco’s waterfront. Hosted by Foodwise, this special “Pop-Ups on the Plaza” event highlights Black-owned food businesses, local makers and cultural programming against the backdrop of the Bay and Embarcadero. Expect a lively open-air atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to sample local flavors and shop from Bay Area vendors. The event takes place directly next to Embarcadero BART (just 0.2 miles), making it easy to reach by transit.
The Fillmore Juneteenth Festival returns on June 13th. Photo courtesy of the Fillmore Juneteenth Festival.
Fillmore Juneteenth Festival | Civic Center
The annual Fillmore Juneteenth Festival on June 13 will span eight city blocks, featuring live music, a brand new Kids Zone, a fashion show and much more. Browse dozens of retail and food vendors and check out free carnival rides and games in this family-friendly celebration. Located in San Francisco’s historic Fillmore district, this is the nation’s second-longest-running Juneteenth event. The festival is approximately 1.3 miles from Civic Center BART.
Join the Golden State Valkyries Juneteenth celebration on the 19th. Photo by David Gonzales-Imagin Images, courtesy of Sports Illustrated.
Valkyries Juneteenth Celebration | Powell St.
The Golden State Valkyries, in partnership with the Black Joy Parade, celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Thrive City. The curated pregame celebration will feature local vendors, Juneteenth activities for all ages and performances by Heat Danceline, the official Black Joy Choir and more. Stick around afterward to watch the Valkyries take on the Minnesota Lynx. Take BART to Powell St. and transfer to the Muni T Third Line to the UCSF/Chase Center (16th St.) platform.
Juneteenth events in the East Bay
Watch the Oakland Roots SC take on Miami FC at the Hella Juneteenth Match on June 13th. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Roots.
Hella Juneteenth Match (Oakland Roots) | Coliseum
The Oakland Roots soccer team and Hella Juneteenth are teaming up to host the Hella Juneteenth match on June 13 at the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum. This special event kicks off Juneteenth week in Oakland. More than just a soccer game, this special event includes the H Lot tailgate with music from DJ Red Corvette, Black-owned food vendors, cultural activations and classic games like spades and dominoes. Inside the Coliseum, fans can enjoy a halftime performance by Red Lotus, among other special programming. Take BART to Coliseum Station, just a short walk (0.2 miles) to the game.
Join friends at “Juneteenth! at the Museum” on June 19th. Photo courtesy of OMCA.
Juneteenth! at the Museum | Lake Merritt
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) and the Black Freedom Fund present “Juneteenth! at the Museum,” a full-day event on June 19 celebrating Black culture, creativity and community. Enjoy food from local Black chefs and food vendors while checking out live performances, DJ sets and hands-on activities. Guests can also view OMCA’s latest special exhibition, Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory. Take BART to Lake Merritt Station, which is just 0.1 miles from the museum.
Join the fun and festivities at the Hella Juneteenth Festival on June 19th. Photo courtesy of Hella Juneteenth.
Hella Juneteenth Festival | West Oakland
The Hella Juneteenth Festival on June 19 in Oakland is an annual celebration of Black freedom, joy and culture. This family-friendly day of cultural programming features food, art installations, DJs, local businesses and more. Enjoy a curated lineup of Black-owned food vendors, as well as space to lounge and connect. Honor the legacy of Juneteenth while celebrating Black culture and community locally in Oakland. To join the festivities, head to Prescott Market, located just 0.8 miles from the West Oakland BART Station.
Team up with Toasted Life and Hella Juneteenth for a tennis outing on June 20th. Photo courtesy of Toasted Life.
Toasted Life Tennis Outing & Group Lesson Featuring Hella Juneteenth | Lake Merritt
Toasted Life and Hella Juneteenth are joining forces to host this tennis outing and group lesson on June 20, in celebration of Juneteenth. Whether you’re just learning the sport or want to improve your skills, this is an opportunity to do so while connecting with others and having fun. Participants can join the beginners’ court or the court for intermediate and advanced players. Larry Atkins from the community tennis collective OTC will be the private instructor for this event. Join the fun about one mile from Lake Merritt BART.
Explore vendor booths and more at the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival on June 21st. Photo courtesy of the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival.
Berkeley Juneteenth Festival | Ashby
Celebrate Juneteenth in Berkeley on June 21 at this annual festival, featuring musical performances across African-American musical traditions, from jazz and blues to gospel and R&B. A KID/STEM Zone will keep the little ones entertained while all visitors enjoy the many food vendors and varied entertainment. Dating back to 1987, Juneteenth-in-Berkeley is a local tradition with a long history of bringing the community together in celebration. Located at the intersection of Alcatraz and Adeline, the festival is 0.4 miles from Ashby BART.
How are you celebrating Juneteenth?
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