Celebrate Juneteenth in Los Angeles

Juneteenth 2020 at Leimert Park
Juneteenth at Leimert Park | Photo: @tazarnold, Instagram

Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is an annual celebration that commemorates the emancipation of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865 - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted - Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas and General Gordon Granger announced the news that the slaves in Texas were free. Juneteenth dates to 1866 in Galveston and is now celebrated across the country.

From neighborhood festivals to a historic concert at the Hollywood Bowl, read on for Juneteenth events in Los Angeles. All events take place on Sunday, June 19 unless otherwise noted.

Prosperity Market at CAAM in Exposition Park
Prosperity Market | Photo: CAAM

Juneteenth Prosperity Market - CAAM



Celebrate Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs at this special Juneteenth edition of the Prosperity Market pop-up at the California African American Museum (CAAM). Taking place at CAAM from 11am to 3pm, shop your favorite farmers market goodies like fresh fruits and vegetables; discover delicious prepared foods and handcrafted artisan goods; and enjoy a jammin’ DJ, cooking demonstrations, a children’s reading hour from the Los Angeles Public Library, family arts & crafts, raffles, and a morning sound bath by Sol & Sound.

"Juneteenth: 1865-2021" documentary
"Juneteenth: 1865-2021" | Photo: LAPL

"Juneteenth: 1865-2021" - Central Library (June 18, 2022)



On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston learned that they were officially free. U.S. Government General Order Number 3 states that "the people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free." On Saturday, June 18, the Central Library is hosting a special screening of Juneteenth: 1865-2021, a documentary that looks back at the meaning of Juneteenth and its origins in southeast Texas.

Black on the Block Juneteenth Festival 2022 at Wisdome LA
Juneteenth Festival 2022 | Photo: Black on the Block

Black on the Block - Wisdome LA



Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Black on the Block presents the Juneteenth Festival at Wisdome LA in the Downtown LA Arts District. Taking place from 1pm to 8pm, the carnival-themed festival will feature 200+ Black-owned businesses, performances by Arin Ray and Sevyn Streeter, panel discussions, a Ferris wheel, carnival games, activations, music, drinks, and more.

There will be vendors inside Wisdome LA's domes, in the outdoor yard and street; a food court, drinks, DJs, art, photobooths, projections, performances, special guests, and more. Black on the Block is family and pet-friendly. (If you're bringing kids, be aware there is alcohol and music throughout the market.) Purchase tickets online or at the door for $10. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Soulful Sundays at Comfort LA
Soulful Sundays at Comfort LA | Photo: SoulfulofNoise

SoulfulofNoise Juneteenth Festival



SoulfulofNoise is hosting a Juneteenth Festival at Comfort DTLA from noon to 6pm. Dedicated to uplifting the entire community, the family-friendly event includes live music, barbershop, entrepreneur workshop, health & wellness activation, local vendors, food trucks, games and more. Admission to the Juneteenth Festival is free, RSVP at Eventbrite.

Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival
Photo: Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival

Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival (June 18, 2022)



Taking place in the historic Leimert Park Village from noon to 9pm, the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival features 300+ Black-owned businesses, three main stages, two DJs stages, a spoken word stage and more. More than just a marketplace, the festival is a curated experience with great food, drinks, music, art and culture, networking opportunities, and the best energy.

Pies for Justice 2022
Pies for Justice | Photo: Gather for Good

Pies for Justice (June 18-19, 2022)



Presented by Gather for Good, the 3rd annual Pies for Justice is a charity bake sale featuring dozens of pastry chefs, bakers, restaurateurs and farmers.

Proceeds will be donated to Kindred Space LA, a black-woman-owned birthing center in South LA supporting BIPOC mothers and babies; and Everytown, working to end gun violence.

Each chef and restaurant will offer a unique pie created for the bake sale, including whole pies, hand pies, and pie slices. Others will be hosting raffles. Order directly from chefs and restaurants like Post & Beam. For the full list of participants and details on how to buy your pie(s), visit the Gather for Good website.

Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in "42"
Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in "42" | Photo: Eat See Hear

"42" - Baldwin Hills Crenshaw (June 18, 2022)



Celebrate Juneteenth and the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the Major League Baseball color barrier at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw! On Saturday, June 18, Eat See Hear presents an outdoor screening of 42 (2013) starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson.

Food options at this Juneteenth screening include  Compton Vegan, Dulan’s Soul Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, All Flavor No Grease, Savage Tacos, and I Love Funnel Cakes. Enjoy live music by The Urban Renewal Project and a DJ set by Tiger.

The screening is taking place in the parking lot behind IHOP - bring pillows, cushions, blankets and low chairs. Doors at 6pm, music at 7:30pm, and movie at 8:30pm. Tickets on sale at Eat See Hear.

Juneteenth in LA 2021
Photo: Juneteenth in LA

Juneteenth Drive-Thru Parade



Juneteenth in LA presents the 3rd Annual Drive-Thru Parade, led by the Los Angeles Rams and the Lombardi Trophy! Featuring 200+ registered cars in a caravan through the streets of Inglewood, the parade starts promptly at 11am near La Brea & Manchester and ends at Inglewood City Hall. Juneteenth in LA recommends parade viewing spots like La Brea & Centinela; La Brea & Slauson; Slauson & Overhill; Slauson & Crenshaw; and Manchester & Prairie (Kia Forum).

Summer Bash at Hollywood Park 2022
Summer Bash at Hollywood Park 2022

Summer Bash - Hollywood Park (June 18, 2022)



Taking place at Hollywood Park from 10am to 4pm, the second annual Summer Bash is an all-day event featuring Motherland Music, Dancer 4 Life, Bernard Kinsey (founder of the Kinsey African American Art and History Collection), Kingi Kajukenbo, food trucks, and a hiring fair.

Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom at the Hollywood Bowl
Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom | Photo: CNN

Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom - Hollywood Bowl



The Hollywood Bowl presents an all-star lineup for a musical celebration of Black freedom and excellence. JUNETEENTH: A Global Celebration of Freedom features performances by Khalid, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Roots, Lucky Daye, Jhené Aiko, Robert Glasper, Killer Mike, Billy Porter, Mary Mary, Anthony Hamilton, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and more. Plus, Thomas Wilkins and Derrick Hodge lead the Re-Collective Orchestra, marking the first-ever performance of an all-Black symphony orchestra in the Hollywood Bowl’s 100-year history. Musical direction for the night is provided by Adam Blackstone and Questlove. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime musical celebration of Juneteenth!

Besties + GASP ZINE Juneteenth 2022
Besties + GASP ZINE Juneteenth 2022 | Photo: @gaspzine, Instagram

Besties + GASP ZINE (June 16-22, 2022)



The first and only vegan marketplace in the country to sell products exclusively from 100% vegan brands, Besties Vegan Paradise is collaborating with GASP ZINE for a weeklong Juneteenth celebration. The interactive GASP GALLERY installation includes a custom vegan coffee menu, workshops, screenings, vendors, food trucks, Besties Run Club, latte art competition, and more. Follow @gaspzine on Instagram for the full calendar of events.

The SK8 Pop Up Juneteenth Roll 2022
Juneteenth Roll 2022 | Photo: The Sk8 Pop Up

The Sk8 Pop Up: Juneteenth Roll (June 18, 2022)



The Sk8 Pop Up kicks off its 2022 Summer Series with the Juneteenth Roll at the LA Kings Burbank Sports Center. Taking place from 4pm-8pm on Saturday, June 18, this is an all-ages event - beginners are encouraged, all wheels are welcomed. Enjoy a live DJ, food vendors and great energy! Presales at Eventbrite are $15, or $20 at the door. Skate rentals are $5.

Korean Bell of Friendship in San Pedro
Korean Bell of Friendship  |  Photo: Yuri Hasegawa

Juneteenth Celebration & Bell-Ringing - Korean Bell of Friendship



One of San Pedro's most famous landmarks, the Korean Bell of Friendship was presented by South Korea to the American people in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. and to symbolize the friendship between the two nations.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law to officially designate Juneteenth as an American federal holiday, and the Korean Friendship Bell was rung for the first time on June 19 in its commemoration. This year, the Juneteenth Celebration will take place from 11am to 12:30pm and the Friendship Bell will ring "for Liberty and Justice for All."