Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year, but Angelenos will be celebrating the nation’s youngest federal holiday, which commemorates the day (June 19, 1865) when African American slaves in Galveston, Texas belatedly learned of their freedom, throughout the entire weekend.
Beginning on Friday, people will gather throughout Southern California everywhere from Leimert Park—where residents have been celebrating the holiday since June 19, 1949 when local businessman Jonathan Leonard began hosting traditional barbeques in his backyard—to Long Beach, to honor Black culture.
We’ve put together a list of places where you can celebrate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom
Sunday, June 19
A star-studded line-up is slated to take the stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, June 19 to observe the federal holiday. Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom will feature performances from iconic artists such as Chaka Khan, The Roots, Robert Glasper, Mary May, Mickey Guyton, Lucky Daye, Khalid, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Also, Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge will lead the Re-Collective Orchestra, marking the first-ever performance of an all-Black symphony orchestra in the Hollywood Bowl’s 100-year history. Attendees can also expect guest appearances—both live and pre-recorded—from Michelle Obama, Yolanda Adams, Jill Scott, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and more. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. and the event is expected to run from 4:30-9 p.m. Tickets start at $75. [More info]
Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 18
Leimert Park, which is one of the only predominantly Black neighborhoods in Los Angeles, has become synonymous with Juneteenth and all things Black culture—and this year is no different. The annual celebration, which attracts thousands of guests each year, is taking place in the heart of Leimert Park at 4331 Degnan Blvd. on Saturday June, 18. The festival will feature an array of food and retail vendors, along with high-energy DJ sets and live performances from artists like Smino, Masego, and Alex Isley. The event runs from 12-9 p.m. [More info]
WalkGood LA’s BreatheGood Juneteenth Flow
Sunday, June 19
The community-based non-profit organization that has been hosting events to help communities of color fight for racial equity and attain healing through arts, health, and wellness since 2020 is celebrating Juneteenth as well as its two-year anniversary with a weekend full of activities. The festivities kick off on Friday, June 17 with a party at Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, then another gathering the following day at the Crenshaw Family YMCA. We recommend you check out their beloved BreatheGood yoga flow event taking place on Sunday, June 19 at LA High Memorial Park, which attracts hundreds of participants each session. The one hour Vinyasa flow and meditation class, which is donation-based, will also offer a pop-up mini market and guests will receive free Activia drinkable yogurts. Early arrival is recommended for the flow, which starts at 10 a.m. [More info]
Juneteenth in LA Parade
Sunday, June 19
The third annual Juneteenth in LA drive-thru Parade is kicking off at the intersection of La Brea and Manchester avenues in Inglewood at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 19 and will make its way toward Inglewood City Hall. In order for a car to participate in the parade, drivers are asked to register via the organization’s website. Last year’s parade included more than 200 registered cars, which drove through the streets of L.A. as spectators walked alongside. [More info]
Juneteenth x L.A. Black History Festival
Sunday, June 19
The Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center is hosting a festival on Sunday, June 19 at the Westchester Recreational Park. Attendees can expect live performances, panel discussions, workshops, a marketplace filled with dozens of Black-owned vendors, and a creative zone for kids. [More info]
Like Watermelon For Chocolate Exhibition at UNREPD
Sunday, June 19 through Wednesday, July 20
New York visual artist Kirk Henriques is debuting his latest solo exhibition, “Like Watermelon for Chocolate,” on Juneteenth at the UNREPD gallery. The presentation, which will be available for viewing through Wednesday, July 20, features a selection of abstract and figurative paintings on fiberglass mesh. In his exhibition, Henriques aims to reclaim the watermelon—a fruit that is ripe with socio-economic significance—as an uplifting symbol of Black independence across various contexts. At the opening ceremony on Sunday, June 19 from 2-4 p.m., Jonathan Singletary will perform a song titled “Before You Arrive,” which is inspired by his wife, host and journalist Elaine Welteroth, and the recent birth of their child, to close out Father’s Day weekend. RSVP is encouraged for the opening reception, but it’s free to view the exhibition until it wraps up in July. [More info]
Black on the Block Festival
Sunday, June 19
Black on the Block is celebrating Juneteenth as well as their one-year anniversary on Sunday, June 19 at Wisdome LA in the Arts District. The carnival-themed festival will offer more than 200 Black-owned vendors, performances by Arin Ray and Sevyn Streeter, lively DJ sets, an epic soul train line with an appearance from Myron Montgomery, panel discussions, carnival games, a ferris wheel, and more. The event runs from 1-8 p.m. and tickets are $10. [More info]
Fixins’ Juneteenth at LA Live
Saturday, June 18
Enjoy a day filled with food, drinks, music, and games on Saturday, June 18 at Fixins Soul Food Kitchen’s Juneteenth party at the XBOX Plaza inside L.A. Live. The full-service soul food restaurant, owned by NBA Legend and 55th Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson, will serve popular soul bites including chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, catfish, and more. Fixins also teamed up with L.A. fashion brand Circulate, by designer Corey Populous, for an exclusive Juneteenth t-shirt collab showcasing a theme or topic that would “Circulate” around the community, delivering clothes with a message. Tickets start at $16.95. [More info]
B-Hen’s Juneteenth Block Party
Saturday, June 18
DIAGEO and its brands Smirnoff, Crown Royal, and DeLeon Tequila have teamed up with DJ B-Hen—who has spun for everyone from Beyoncé to the Obamas—for his popular Block Party during Juneteenth weekend. What makes the event stand out is that there’s intentionally no VIP section, guest list, or bottle service. Instead, B-Hen wants people to dance, enjoy music, and uplift community. The traveling block party, which has taken place throughout the country, starts at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $40. [More info]
Real Black Greatness Day Party
Sunday, June 19
House Party Creative, the L.A.-born agency, is teaming up with RnB House Party to host a Juneteenth party at The Beehive in South L.A. The Real Black Greatness Day Party will feature live music from DJ Meel, DJ Printz, Abby De La Rosa, as well as performances hosted by Sofar Sounds. Also offered at the 21+ function will be Black-owned food trucks and libations by Lady on the Rocks. Ticket prices will be donation-based with all proceeds going to Homeboy Industries. The party runs from 3-9 p.m. [More info]
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