Celebrate the Black experience at this giant family-friendly parade and festival.
The 5th annual Black Joy Parade is back in Oakland this year! On Sunday, February 27, this massive parade and festival will celebrate the Black experience in epic form. With over 200 vendors, plenty of performances, and a lively parade route, this is the largest free event of its kind in California.
The parade itself will begin at 12:30pm on 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, lasting about an hour and a half. The accompanying festival and marketplace runs from 12pm-7pm, and the main entrance is at 20th and Broadway Streets.
Over 200 vendors, artisans, and craftsmen will be present selling amazing food, handmade goods, and much more. There will be 3 bars available with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink options, and plenty of room for socializing. Just keep in mind that street parking is very limited, so public transport is the way to go.
The Black Joy Parade is an Oakland-based nonprofit committed to maintaining a diverse community that celebrates the Black experience. Their mission values are “bold Blackness, creative expression, economic empowerment, and unwavering optimism.” The parade and festival is the biggest event, but you can also catch other events such as their Black Joy brunches and open mics throughout the year.
Make sure to put the Black Joy Parade on your calendar for February 27. Again, the parade will go from 12:30-2pm starting at 14th and Broadway in Oakland; and the festival will last from 12-7pm at 19th and Broadway.
Featured image: @blackjoyparade via Instagram