The 6th annual Black Joy Parade is back in Oakland this year! On Sunday, February 26th, 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 Franklin 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 19th and Franklin Streets.
You can also check out a pre-party the night before on Feb. 25th and an after party at 7pm on the day of. Get details here.
Over 200 vendors, artisans, and craftsmen will be present selling amazing food, handmade goods, and much more. There will be bars open with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink options, 2 stages with ongoing performances, kids’ and family activities, 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 26th, 2023. Again, the parade will go from 12:30-2pm starting at 14th and Franklin in Oakland; and the festival will last from 12-7pm at 19th and Franklin.