Just a few years after Juneteenth was officially named a federal holiday, San Francisco has stepped up to the plate to celebrate with a slew of activities across the city, from street fairs to film screenings. Are you ready for an amazing weekend? Read on to discover everything that’s going on during Juneteenth in San Francisco.
1. Juneteenth Market Street Parade
June 10 on Market Street
The first-ever SF Annual Market St. Parade will run from Market and Spear Street to Civic Center from 11am-1pm. Join thousands of attendees to enjoy a vibrant procession of Juneteenth floats, classic cars and Corvettes, live bands, Black Cowboys on horseback, and more.
2. Juneteenth on the Waterfront
June 10 at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market will feature a wonderful Juneteenth celebration spotlighting 15 Black-owned food businesses, the In the Black craft market, SF Black Wallstreet lounge, a free Black Chefs and Wine Makers Talk, free cooking demo, family activities, and more.
3. Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Saturday June 17 in the Fillmore District
This enormous celebration will take over 8 blocks in the Fillmore District on Saturday from 11am-6pm. It will include live music and performances, a fashion and hair show, a classic car show, dozens of food trucks and booths, a 21+ beer and wine garden, FREE unlimited carnival rides, games, and an obstacle course.
4. Juneteenth at MoAD
Saturday June 17 at the Museum of the African Diaspora
This special day will include free admission, lectures and talks, musical performances, and a family art activity. Don’t miss the Curtis Family C-Notes performing A Song of Triumph II: The Diaspora of Black Music at 3pm and 4pm. Temporary exhibitions include Black Venus; Old Roots, New Leaves by MoAD teens; and Holding Space by Nimah Gobir.
5. Juneteenth at the Bandshell
The Golden Gate Park Bandshell is in the midst of its 2023 season of Illuminate Live, which runs all the way through mid-November. These weekly free and family-friendly concerts are some of the most beloved events in the park. Catch over 100 performances in a variety of genres including R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big band, strings, indie, rock, reggae, salsa, electronic, and EDM.
- Friday June 16 (4:30-7:30pm): Friday Happy Hour: Juneteenth Celebration – Special guests TBA
- Saturday June 17 (12-4pm): Juneteenth Celebration with Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors
- Sunday June 18 (4:30-7:30pm): Crucial Reggae Sunday: DJ Jae Five & special guest ELeNA
6. City Hall lighting
- Saturday, June 10: Red/black/green in recognition of the Juneteenth Parade on Market St.
- Monday, June 19: Red/black/green in recognition of Juneteenth
SF City Hall is goes all out on lighting every June for Juneteenth, Pride, the Trans March, and more. See it illuminated in red, green, and black in honor of Juneteenth after the sun goes down, and keep an eye out for other SF landmarks that will surely be following suit.
7. Juneteenth with Bayview Opera House
The Bayview Opera House presents a series of performances and film screenings in celebration of Juneteenth at the Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre.
Friday, June 2 – 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man
This one-night-only recital is the world premiere of 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man with Sidney Outlaw and Warren Jones, where 5 members of the Oakland Symphony will present works by Faure, Brahms, William Grant Still, and Mohammed Fairouz.
Saturday, June 3 – HOOD PRETTY Red Carpet Premiere and Award Ceremony
Enjoy a film screening of HOOD PRETTY written and directed by Farah Dews and preceded by a red carpet gala.
Sat-Sun June 16-17 – Flying to Freedom
BVOH and Zaccho Dance Theatre present a curated aerial dance performance centered around the theme of liberation.
8. SF Jazz Festival’s final weekend
Through Sunday June 18
The 40th annual SF Jazz Festival ends on Sunday June 18, but there are plenty of concerts to catch leading up to then. Performers include Gerald Clayton, Malika Tirolien, Rolando Luna, Cindy Blackman, Samara Joy, Paula West, and Ben Williams.
9. Juneteenth activities with SF Public Library
*SF Public Library branches closed on Sunday 6/19*
Sunday June 11 – Workshop: Sound Healing with Nekia Wright
A hands-on workshop by Nekia Wright where participants can learn about how to use sound and instruments to improve emotional and spiritual health. At Bernal Heights branch.
Tuesday June 13 – Workshop: Henna Art
Henna artist Renda Dabit will teach about the history and tradition of henna, give henna tattoos, and show participants how to create their own henna art. At Bayview Branch.
Saturday June 17 – Performance: Music of West Africa with Keenan D. Webster
Local musician Keenan D. Webster will teach children about traditional West African instruments including the kora (West African Mandinka harp), the Kamele Ngoni (West African Mande harp), and the Balaphone (Mandinka xylophone).
Juneteenth book recommendations
Browse SF Public Library’s list of book recommendations highlighting the history of Juneteenth, memoirs by Black authors, and more.
A brief history of Juneteenth
June 19, also known as Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, or Freedom Day, is a day that signifies the end of slavery in America. Over 150 years ago, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to break news that the Civil War had ended and that all those who were enslaved were now free, according to Juneteenth.com.
President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, and declared every enslaved person in Confederate States was now legally free. But, Texas, the furthest west territory, was still under Confederate control at the time. So, enslaved people there did not receive emancipation until the end of the war nearly two years later. The day celebrates the triumph, of course, but also shows how long it took for that freedom to be implemented in the far reaches of the Confederacy.
During the post-emancipation period of Reconstruction (1865-1877), most formerly-enslaved populations were left without possessions, land or resources to begin new lives with. Yet after 200 years of slavery, these populations immediately worked to reunify families, run for office, establish schools, and even sue their enslavers for damages.
The U.S. Senate passed a bill on June 16, 2021, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.