From yoga to celebrations and festivals, Los Angeles is full of ways to honor and celebrate Juneteenth.
Sophie Len - Staff Writer•
June 19 known as Juneteenth, is a day that commemorates the end of slavery in America and the emancipation of enslaved people. It’s an official holiday in Los Angeles, and has been considered a federal holiday since Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021. (You can learn more about the significance of Juneteenth here.)
Los Angeles is full of Juneteenth celebrations and events that you can partake in all month long, and we collected the best below!
1. 32nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration – Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica and the Juneteenth Celebration Committee, Inc. have teamed up to host a day full of live music, incredible food and craft vendors, along with local resources to celebrate the 31st annual Juneteenth celebration! This year’sthemeisRising Above Racism: A Legacy of Empowerment & Pride.
🗓️When: Saturday, Jun 15, 2024 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍Location: 2200 Virginia Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405
🌐More Information: City of Santa Monica website
2. LA Function Festival Juneteenth Celebrationat Academy LA
Head on over to Academy LA for a jam-packed afternoon with sets by beloved DJ’s spinning hip hop, R&B, afro-beats, reggaetón, nostalgic and deep house. Folks can also expect food vendors like Fraiche Signatures, Fry Day, Stew & Tingz, and more! In their own words, “We welcome everyone who has LOVE for LA culture to come together for positive vibes.”
🗓️When: Saturday, June 15 · 2 – 9pm
🎟️Tickets: Get them here! (21+ only)
📍Location: Academy LA, 6021 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028
3. 2024 Juneteenth Celebration – Hawthorne
This year the City of Hawthorne is honoring Juneteenth with a full day of activities celebrating community with live music performed by J.W.B Band, Conganas, Abiodun Koya and The Cosmix, face painting, food vendors, and so much more!
🗓️When: Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 11:00AM – 4:00PM
📍Location: Memorial Park, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250
4. Taste of Inglewood Juneteenth Food Festival – Inglewood
They say that food has no boundaries and holds the power to connect people. With this in mind, and in honor of Juneteenth, the Taste of Inglewood Food Festival returns with a lineup of mouth-watering food and vendors. Their goal with this incredible event is to promote unity and culture through food and fun!
🗓️When: June 19, 2024
📍Location: Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90302
5. Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival– Leimert Park Village
The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival will highlight Black excellence, celebrate local creativity and community. Located in the historic Leimert Park Village, the program features 300 Black owned businesses, three main stages, two DJs stages, a spoken word stage, and so much more.
🗓️When: Wednesday, June 19, 2023 from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m.
📍Location: 331 Degnan Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008
6. Calm your mind at a free JunetenthSoundbath + Yoga Fusion event
Experience a more calming Juneteenth celebration with healing vibrations and soulful movements. This is a free Junetenth HealingSoundbath + Yoga Fusionclass with Intune x Divinity In Motion. They encourage connection with yourself and others in a meaningful way and maintaining a focus on healing and unity.
🗓️When: June 23th, 2024
📍Location: Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Parks
7. Black in Mayberry’s 2024 Juneteenth Festival
This third annual celebration of Juneteenth is free and open to the public. And they welcome everyone to enjoy this vibrant celebration of African American culture. The Juneteenth Festival will have something for everyone, like live music, performances, interactive arts activities, art exhibition, a kid’s play area, black-owned business vendors, food trucks, and so much more. But most importantly, there will be activities and attractions that celebrate African American culture, history, and contributions to America.
🗓️When: Saturday, June 15 · 12 – 6pm
📍Location: El Segundo Parks & Recreation, 401 Sheldon Street El Segundo, CA 90245
8. The Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
This annual celebration is held in Downtown Long Beach and is filled with entertainment and guest speakers. Plus, it’s free to the public. This monumental celebration aims to build, educate, and celebrate the community in support of, in and around the nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
🗓️When: June 15th from 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
📍Location: Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach
🌐More Information:Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
9. Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth L.A. show ‘The Pop Out – Ken and Friends’
Kendrick Lamar just announced a one-time show in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 19th. Presale tickets for the concert will be available starting this Thursday at 10 a.m., and general on-sale starts Friday at 10 a.m. It’s an all-ages event so grab the whole family!
🗓️When: Wednesday, June 19th at 4:00 pm
📍Location: Kia Forum, 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood
🌐More Information: Get tickets here.
Edited by Sarah Nash.
See more: What Is Juneteenth? 5 Things To Know About This Historic American Holiday.
