Celebrate Juneteenth the San Francisco Way

By Julia Middlebrook

Juneteenth is just around the corner, and San Francisco has no shortage of celebratory events.

Juneteenth, celebrated nationally on June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Although Juneteenth only became a national holiday in 2021, San Francisco has held events and celebrations annually since 1950.

Each year since, San Francisco’s Juneteenth celebrations have honored the achievements and determination of the Black community with a festival along Fillmore Street. The event usually draws some 75,000 people to the Fillmore District for a classic car show, hair and fashion show, and much more.

Here are some of the Juneteenth events you can attend this year!

San Francisco Juneteenth Parade and Festival

Market Street & Spear Street

The Juneteenth Parade will start at Market and Spear streets and feature amazing floats representing different community organizations, schools, and corporate partners. After the parade, attendees can check out the Free Concert being hosted by Shay Diddy at Fulton Plaza from noon to 6:00 p.m., featuring performances by Larry June, Goapele, D’Wayne Wiggins from Tony! Toni! Toné!, and more.

Event Details

Juneteenth Kick-Off Celebration

San Francisco City Hall

The San Francisco Human Rights Commission is hosting its second annual Juneteenth celebration, which will kick off a weekend of celebrations and is free to attend.

Fillmore Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration

Fillmore Street between Geary Boulevard and Fulton Street

This eight-block celebration in the Fillmore District hosts six different “districts,” all offering various activities and celebrations. This year is a decades-themed celebration, with music from the 80s to the 2000s and live performances by The Whispers and Stokley of Mint Condition. There will also be food trucks, carnival activities for the whole family, a classic car show, organized sports competitions, and a fashion show. This festival is an all-day activity with many events to check out!

Event Details

Hayes Valley Juneteenth Pride Stroll

SFJAZZ Center

201 Franklin St.

SFJAZZ Center will be hosting an event featuring free food and drinks, as well as a fashion showcase. Guests can enjoy music, drag performances, and a behind-the-scenes tour throughout the building. Additionally, Hayes Valley merchants will be on hand to provide local goods and samples. In Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ will play singles of black queer artists who have performed shows at the center.

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Hella Juneteenth: "The Cookout"

Oakland Museum of California

1000 Oak St.

This year, in partnership with the Last Supper Society, Hella Creative will host "The Cookout," a celebration at the Oakland Museum of California Garden. The event will feature Black chefs and Black-owned restaurants from the Bay Area, offering a special cookout plate with classic dishes curated by Last Supper Society and chef Michele McQueen of Town Fare. This event celebrates Black culture and freedom through cuisine, live music, games, and activities. Attendees can enjoy music from local DJs, participate in dance challenges, and engage in family-friendly fun with games and public art.

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Julia Middlebrook

Julia Middlebrook is a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a degree in Communication and Business. She joins the San Francisco Travel marketing team this summer after having previously worked in the public policy division. Born and raised in San Francisco and having done just about everything there is to do in it, Julia is passionate about spreading her love for the city and will always consider it the best place in the world.