Don't miss Hella Juneteenth in the East Bay. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite. 

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 parades and festivals to a KMEL-led block party and kid-friendly activities, here are our favorite BARTable Juneteenth events. Don't forget your Clipper card. We’ll see you there! 

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Juneteenth events in San Francisco

Head to City Hall to kick off Juneteenth celebrations in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of SF.gov. 

Juneteenth Kickoff with the mayor at City Hall | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Juneteenth kicks off in San Francisco on June 13 with Mayor Daniel Lurie’s themed event, “Liberty, Legacy and Leadership: Recognizing the Journey of Black Excellence and the Leaders Shaping Tomorrow.” It's free and open to the public. Attendees will see live cultural performances and hear remarks from leaders at influential Black-led organizations, like the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce (SFAACC), San Francisco Black Wall Street and San Francisco NAACP. This year, kick off Juneteenth at City Hall, just 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza. 

Don't miss the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite. 

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration | Civic Center/UN Plaza

On June 14, San Francisco’s Juneteenth Freedom Celebration will span eight blocks in the historic Fillmore District. Building on the success of last year’s event (which attracted over 25,000 attendees), the U.S.’s second-longest-running Juneteenth event has a lot to offer: retail and food vendors, free carnival rides, three stages for live music, and so much more. Join the celebration 1.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza. 

Join the Juneteenth festivities at San Francisco's Juneteenth parade. Photo courtesy of DoTheBay.

Juneteenth Parade and Celebration | Embarcadero

The third annual Juneteenth Parade on June 22 starts at 11 a.m. on Market St. and Spear St. Watch colorful floats head west along Market St. to 8th St. After the parade, check out the Juneteenth celebration at Fulton Plaza, which runs from noon to 6:00 p.m. Both the parade and the festival are BARTable. The parade starting line is steps from Embarcadero, while the celebration is 0.1 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

Juneteenth events in the East Bay

The Berkeley Juneteenth Festival is fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy of Berkeleyside (Credit: Ximena Natera, Berkeleyside/Catchlight).

Berkeley Juneteenth Festival | Ashby

The 38th Berkeley Juneteenth Festival on June 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. is a family-friendly event along the Alcatraz Ave. and Adeline corridor. The festival promotes community cohesion, celebrates Black art, supports social justice and inspires future leaders. Little ones will love the KID/STEMzone, which has attractions like a rock climbing wall, roller skating, slides, face painting and storytelling. The Lothario Lotho Stage, geared for young adults, is where you'll find music, dance and theatre. The RD Bonds Main Stage showcases music rooted in the African American experience — think jazz, blues, gospel, neo-soul and reggae. Families can also dine on culturally significant dishes, shop for African specialty items, and support Black-owned merchants. Find all this 0.3 miles from Ashby.

Dance and dine at OMCA's Hella Juneteenth Festival. Photo courtesy of Oakland Museum of California. 

Hella Juneteenth Festival at OMCA | Lake Merritt

On June 19, head to the OMCA for the Hella Juneteenth Festival. Produced by Hella Creative, the festival honors Black history and culture through joy, artistry and community power. Get moving at one (or both) of the two stages for live music. Dig into the beloved $30 Cookout Plate spotlighting top Black chefs. Experience Futureproof—a tech-meets-art installation exploring liberation through creativity. There will also be plenty of Black-owned vendors and fun family activities, like lawn games and a Kids’ Zone. VIP tickets include a Cookout Plate, which often sells out —so reserve yours early! OMCA is 0.1 mile from Lake Merritt. 

Lakefest Oakland is a popular Juneteenth celebration in the East Bay. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland. 

Lakefest Oakland | 19th St/Oakland

Celebrate Juneteenth in the Bay Area this year at the 6th annual Lakefest Oakland. This family-friendly festival features live music, DJs, fashion shows, dance performances, a dedicated kids’ zone and a vibrant marketplace of local Black-owned businesses, artists and makers. Enjoy diverse dishes at the food court, sip craft brews in the beer garden and explore interactive experiences at the tech pavilion with VR and gaming. Lakefest Oakland is so special that former Mayor Libby Schaaf officially declared June 21 as LakeFest Day in Oakland. Ride BART to 19th St/Oakland and travel one mile to 568 Bellevue Ave for a full day of culture, creativity and community.

Enjoy the parade and festival at Richmond's Juneteenth celebration. Photo courtesy of the City of Richmond. 

Richmond Juneteenth Festival | Richmond

Head to the East Bay on June 21 to celebrate the City of Richmond's Juneteenth Parade and Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lively march to celebrate freedom, diversity and unity starts at the Fire Training Center, then heads to Nicholl Park, where the festival begins. Here, you’ll experience live music, dancing, local vendors, delicious food, cultural displays and plenty of family-friendly activities. Take BART to Richmond Station to check out this special occasion, 0.8 miles away at 3230 Macdonald Ave.

Hayward hosts an epic Juneteenth celebration. Photo courtesy of hayward-ca.gov.

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration | Hayward

Travel to Hayward Heritage Plaza on June 22 from noon to 6 p.m. for the West Coast Blues Society and Juneteenth Hayward’s 4th annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. Enjoy the lovely sounds of blues greats, like Leo and The Blues Knockouts (among others), shop at local vendors, relax at the beer and wine garden and participate in family-oriented activities, like the Kid Zone provided by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. Take BART to Hayward Station for blues music and more, 0.2 miles away at 835 C St.

Families will love the Juneteenth activities at Children's Fairyland. Photo courtesy of Children's Fairyland. 

Juneteenth Celebration at Children’s Fairyland | 19th St/Oakland

Pack a picnic and head to Children’s Fairyland on June 19 for their Juneteenth Celebration. Guests can expect tee-shirt block-printing, arts and crafts, festive games, meet-and-greets with Daisy the Clown and lively performances. Plus, there’s a special meet and greet opportunity with Bay Area radio personality Chuy Gomez — all included with general admission. Bring your imagination (and a light-colored tee for the tee-shirt block-printing) to the joyful celebration, just 0.6 miles from 19th St/Oakland.

Enjoy Juneteenth celebrations in the East Bay at Todos Santos Plaza. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite. 

Concord Juneteenth | Concord

Gather at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord for a vibrant, free Juneteenth festival (RSVP required) featuring live music, spoken‑word artists, Double Dutch and Capoeira performances and family-friendly carnival activities. Explore a diverse lineup of local vendors, indulge in soul‑food trucks serving seafood, jambalaya and comfort classics, and unwind in the wellness village offering Reiki, massages and health resources. Take BART to Concord Station and stroll 0.3 miles to 2175 Willow Pass Rd. for a fun Juneteenth celebration in the East Bay.

Enjoy Juneteenth celebrations in the East Bay at Todos Santos Plaza. Photo courtesy of Eventbrite.

City of Dublin Juneteenth Celebration | Dublin/Pleasanton

On Thursday, June 19, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., join the City of Dublin for the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration featuring live entertainment, including Kalimba, a tribute to Earth, Wind, and Fire. Black-owned partners and businesses will also be on hand. Together, we'll commemorate this historic event, celebrate African American culture, and support community connections and growth. Take BART to Dublin/Pleasanton, and Emerald Glen Park is 1.5 miles away at 4201 Central Parkway.

How will you celebrate Juneteenth?

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