Take BART Juneteenth events around the Bay Area

Spend a sunny day at Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) for Hella Juneteenth. Photo courtesy of OMCA.

Juneteenth commemorates the symbolic day when the last enslaved people were freed in the United States, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. The federal holiday is a celebration of freedom and an opportunity to educate, reflect and honor the history and contributions of Black Americans. If you’re looking for ways to participate in this year’s Juneteenth celebrations, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of festivities near BART. We’ll see you there! 

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

Mayor London Breed is the official host SF's Juneteenth kickoff event. Photo courtesy of Mission Local. 

San Francisco

The second annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival on June 8 was quite the event. Luckily, there are still many ways to celebrate Juneteenth in the city. 

Mayor London Breed’s Juneteenth Kickoff | Civic Center/UN Plaza

On June 14 at noon, Mayor London Breed will kick off the 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration at San Francisco City Hall. Hosted by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, this event is free to attend. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza to start the festivities 0.3 miles away at 1 Doctor Carlton B Goodlett Place.

Black Wall Street Gala | Montgomery St

San Francisco Black Wall Street is hosting its inaugural Juneteenth Gala on June 14 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Conservatory at One Sansome. The theme, “The Black Print,” highlights the success of Black entrepreneurs and small businesses contributing to San Francisco's culture and economy. The 21+ event encourages black and gold attire and includes a musical performance by Grammy Award nominee Joe, flavorful food from Tease Southern Kitchen and an award ceremony. Take BART to Montgomery St and stroll 0.1 mile to One Sansome St. 

Juneteenth Festival on Fillmore Street | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Celebrate Juneteenth on Fillmore St. with games, rides, retail and food vendors, a classic car show, live acts and a kid’s zone. The June 15 festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have a fun theme: the Decades Edition, including the 80s, 90s and 2000s. This free event spans eight city blocks. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza to celebrate Juneteenth throughout the decades 1.0 miles away at Fillmore St. and Fulton St. 

Hayes Valley Juneteenth Pride Stroll | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Head to the SFJazz Center on June 19 at 7 p.m. to celebrate both Juneteenth and Pride Month. Tickets cost $25 and include food, an open bar and entertainment by Kaik ai Bee Michaels, Alotta Boutté, Simba La Siren, Major Hammy, Militia, Mojo Carter, and DJ Sir Ellis. Hayes Valley merchants will be on site with local samples. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza, 0.4 miles away at 201 Franklin St, for music, food and drinks.

Enjoy live music and entrainment at Lakefest Oakland. Photo courtesy of SF Fun Cheap.

East Bay

Lakefest Oakland | 19th St/Oakland

The 5th annual Lakefest is a dynamic daytime festival celebrating Juneteenth on June 22. Nestled on the shoreline of Lake Merritt, this highly anticipated event attracted over 20,000 people last year. Expect Live Music, fashion shows, DJs, performers and an artisanal marketplace featuring local artists, entrepreneurs and craftspeople. There’s also a food court with a wide variety of mouthwatering cuisine, a beer garden with craft beer and local brews, a kid's fun zone and a tech pavilion with VR and video games. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland for fun on the lake 1.0 mile away at 568 Bellevue Ave.

Hella Juneteenth “The Cookout” at OMCA | Lake Merritt

This town-wide celebration in the OMCA Garden on June 19 features the Bay Area’s finest Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants. “The Cookout” invites the community to dive into good food while listening to live music from local DJs, playing lawn games, exploring art by emerging Black artists and engaging in activities paying homage to Black culture. Tickets are $10 and include access to OMCA galleries. Food is available for purchase separately. Take BART to Lake Merritt to celebrate Juneteenth at the OMCA 0.1 mile away at 1000 Oak St. 

5th Annual Juneteenth in the Town | Lake Merritt

Hosted by Loren Taylor and organized by Friends of the NAACP Oakland, Juneteenth in the Town promises soulful entertainment, comfort cuisine and fellowship at the Block Community Hub. Taking place on June 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., this event encourages cocktail and African-inspired attire. Commemorate this historical moment with friends and family while listening to  The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, dancing to the beats of DJ Christie and much more. Take BART to Lake Merritt for tunes and tasty eats 0.5 miles away at 252 2^nd St. 

Richmond Juneteenth Festival | Richmond

The city of Richmond will host a vibrant Juneteenth celebration on June 22 from 10 to 6 p.m. at Nicholl Park. The festivities include a parade through the heart of Richmond and a festival with live music, dance performances, local vendors, delicious food, cultural displays and plenty of family-friendly activities. The city of Richmond encourages attendees to celebrate freedom and promote peace and solidarity within the community. Take BART to Richmond Station to partake in this special occasion 0.8 miles away at 3230 Macdonald Ave.

Hayward Russell City Juneteenth Celebration | Hayward

Travel to Hayward Heritage Plaza on June 22 from noon to 6 p.m. for West Coast Blues Society and Juneteenth Hayward’s 4th annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. Enjoy the lovely sounds of blues greats, like Leo Oliver and The Blues Knockouts, Hayward's residential blues band. Shop at local vendors, relax at the beer and wine garden and participate in family-oriented activities. Take BART to Hayward Station for blues music and more 0.2 miles away at 835 C St. 

Berkeley Juneteenth Festival | Ashby

On June 16, hop on BART to Berkeley between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. for a family-friendly cultural celebration. The festival has an impressive schedule of events. There’s a Kid’s zone with a rock wall, STEM activities and art programs. Musical performances include drums, jazz, blues, neo-soul, gospel, R&B, and reggae. Take BART to Ashby to celebrate Juneteenth in Berkeley 0.3 miles away at 3300 Adeline St.

Concord Juneteenth | Concord

The Concord Community Alliance is hosting its second annual Juneteenth celebration this June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Attendees can expect a variety of performances like spoken word artists, kid’s activities, Capoeira demonstrations, mostly Black-owned vendors and more. This year's message is “health and wellness in the Black community.” There's a wellness village open for Reiki or massage. Take BART to Concord Station and stroll 0.3 miles to 2175 Willow Pass Rd. for a fun Juneteenth celebration in the East Bay.

How will you celebrate Juneteenth?

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