Where to celebrate Juneteenth in San Diego County
From festivals and surfing to live music and culinary events, there are many options for commemorating the 161st anniversary of the end of slavery this week.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey
San Diegans are preparing for Juneteenth, the annual holiday commemorating the end of most forms of legal slavery in the United States.
A portmanteau of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” Juneteenth traces its roots to June 19, 1865, when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were free.While Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery in 1863 and the Civil War concluded in April 1865, an estimated 250,000 people in Texas remained enslaved for months afterward. Granger’s announcement led to the first Juneteenth observance, which has become a cornerstone of Black cultural and historical remembrance across the United States.
Sometimes referred to as Jubilation or Liberation Day, the celebration has gained more recognition by Americans of all cultural backgrounds in recent years.
“Juneteenth is an American holiday, it's an American national holiday, but it's always been an American historical moment. It's always been American history,” said Loren Cobbs, SD Melanin founder. “Black Americans are Americans, and so I think it's important to think about this holiday not in the context of what Black folks are going to be doing or what they do, but about how the country should be commemorating and having a national dialog about its own history.”
California designated Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2017, Joe Biden made it a federal holiday in 2021 and the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to make it a paid day off for all city staff in 2023.
Cobbs, who has organized Juneteenth celebrations in San Diego since 2018, said that this year’s observances are coming at a time when community connections feel especially important.
“Things are tough, and we need people,” she said. “We've always needed people, but right now you can see more and more folks are being pushed to the edge, or their limits — their financial limits, their emotional limits — and they need safe space.”
In his second administration, President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates and organizations for rolling back diversity programs, including by ending free National Parks admissions on both Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Removing MLK Day and Juneteenth from the national parks calendar is more than petty politics — it's an attack on the truth of this nation's history,” the NAACP wrote in a press statement last year. “It's an attempt to erase the legacy of Dr. King, minimize the story of emancipation, and sideline the communities that have fought for generations to make America live up to its promise. We will not stand by while this Administration tries to turn public spaces into instruments of division.”
This year, San Diegans can commemorate the holiday with a week of events including the annual Kinfolk Fest, Cooper Family Foundation celebration and a presentation about sending the first Black astronaut into orbit.
San Diego County offices will be closed Friday in honor of the holiday, as well as some county recreation centers and the Adams Park Pool. All city of San Diego administration offices and public library locations will also be closed.
Do you know an event we missed? Email lauren@daylightsandiego.org.
Editor's note: We have used AI to help us extract information from event flyers, but humans have selected, adjusted and reviewed each entry.
June 17
'Black in Space': The San Diego Central Library is hosting screenings of “Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier,” a Smithsonian Channel documentary exploring the story of Black astronauts and the Cold War-era race between the United States and the Soviet Union to diversify spaceflight. The film looks at the intersection of the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race through the experiences of Black astronauts and their families. Admission is free. Screenings from 2 - 3 p.m. and 4 - 5 p.m., San Diego Central Library, Floor Virtual Travel Center, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Kinfolk Connect Entrepreneur Workshop: SD Melanin, Black San Diego and CSD Marketing are hosting a workshop for small business entrepreneurs, freelancers and creatives interested in marketing. The workshop is a free event to kick off Kinfolk Fest Juneteenth Week, and guests will get hands-on marketing experience. Space is limited. RSVP online to save your spot. 6 - 9 p.m., San Diego Made Factory, 2031 Commercial St., #114, San Diego, CA 92113
June 18
SDCCE Juneteenth Celebration: The San Diego College of Continuing Education is hosting an afternoon of performances in honor of the holiday. The day includes music by Myesha Henderson, a dance presentation by Brian Bennett, poetry by LaVada S. England and a presentation by LaWana Richmond. Lunch will be provided. RSVP on Facebook. 1 - 2:30 p.m., Educational Cultural Complex Front Lawn, 4343 Oceanview Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony: San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is leading the county's annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at the County Administration Center. RSVP online. 1:30 p.m., County Administration Center, East Plaza, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
‘More Than a Building, A Dream Come True’: The San Diego Central Library is hosting screenings of “More than a Building, A Dream Come True,” a documentary examining the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The film features interviews with key figures who helped bring the museum from concept to reality. Admission is free. Screenings from 2 - 3 p.m. and 4 - 5 p.m., San Diego Central Library, Fifth Floor Virtual Travel Center, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
I Said What I Said: An Evening of Black Storytelling: So Say We All presents a free Juneteenth Eve storytelling event at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, inspired by the GIANTS collection from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, on display through August. RSVP online. 5 - 8 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
Juneteenth: Future Is Color Studio Sessions: Future Is Color is hosting a Juneteenth Eve celebration featuring a live band and DJ sets. 6 - 9 p.m., Quartyard, 1301 Market St #3, San Diego, CA 92101
June 19
County Fair Juneteenth Festival: The San Diego County Fair is holding a day of music, dance, vendors, spoken word and cultural performances honoring the anniversary of emancipation and the contributions of Black Americans. The festival will feature performances by the Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins Blue Band, jazz guitarist and singer Elliott Lawrence, WorldBeat Center's African Drummers and Dancers Ensemble, the Errrverybodi Line Dancers, spoken word artist Kendrick Dial and DJ Kool T. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds, Chevrolet Paddock Stage, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
Louisiana Community Block Party: Louisiana Purchase and Black San Diego are hosting a second annual Juneteenth community block party with food, music, local vendors and cultural activities. The North Park event is open to all ages. Noon - 6 p.m., Louisiana Street and University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
The Freedom Table: A Juneteenth Culinary Experience: Couples Unfiltered podcast hosts Natalie and Lionel Saulsberry are holding an evening of food, storytelling and cultural reflection honoring the history and significance of Juneteenth. The chef-led fundraising event will feature a tasting menu created by six San Diego chefs, including Alex Carballo, David Lay Jr., Cameron Dixon, MaryAnn Green, Khine Moore and Shellie Robinson. It includes a cocktail hour, art installations, live entertainment and an outdoor seated dinner. Proceeds will benefit Achievement in Motion, a nonprofit supporting youth-focused programs and opportunities. This event is for those age 18 and older. Reserve tickets online starting at $250. 4 - 9 p.m., TERI Campus of Life, 555 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
Songs of Freedom: Vocalist Daneen Wilburn and special guests are performing an evening of music highlighting Black culture and history in honor of Juneteenth. The family-friendly concert will follow an optional dinner service and is open to guests of all ages. Reserve tickets online starting at $35, plus $20 per person to add dinner. Dinner service begins at 6:15 p.m. followed by the concert at 7 p.m., The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
R&B Nite: 619 Day & Juneteenth Edition: 619GURLZ is hosting an R&B night with DJs Nebula, Cowbell Chris, Dopemo and Malik Burgers spinning throwbacks, slow jams, deep cuts and B-sides. This event is for ages 21 and up, and there is a $5 entry fee after 10 p.m., 9 - 11 p.m., Bluefoot Bar, 3404 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Now That's R&B: SD Melanin is hosting a special Juneteenth edition of its Now That’s R&B party series. The evening includes live R&B DJ sets, full bar with drink specials and an all-night dance floor. Reserve tickets online starting at $18. 9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. The Rail, 3796 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
June 20
Juneteenth BBQ and Summer Kick Off: Paddle for Peace is hosting its sixth annual, family-friendly Juneteenth celebration at La Jolla Shores Beach. The day will celebrate Black joy and culture with a barbecue, live music, drum circle, group run, beach clean up, kids corner and surf lessons. The event is free to attend. Barbecue tickets are $12 each and include a burger, potato salad, baked beans, chips and a drink. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available. RSVP online. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. La Jolla Shores Park, 8300 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
Oceanside Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: The NAACP North San Diego County branch is hosting its annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration in downtown Oceanside, commemorating the 161st anniversary of emancipation. The all-day event features live entertainment, jazz, gospel, R&B and soul music, dance and spoken word performances, a Kidz Zone, community resource and education booths, free health screenings, vaccinations, local artists and food vendors. 10 a.m., Pier View Way and Freeman Street, Oceanside, CA 92054
Juneteenth Basketball Shooting Contest: O'side Hoops is hosting a free basketball shooting contest as part of the NAACP North San Diego County Juneteenth Cultural Celebration. The contest is open to all ages, with prizes awarded to winners. Registration begins at 10 a.m. 1 - 3 p.m., Pier View Way and Ditmar Street, Oceanside, CA 92054
Cooper Family Foundation Juneteenth: Started more than 50 years ago by Sidney Cooper Sr. and Thelma Cooper, this annual Juneteenth celebration is a mainstay of Southeast San Diego. The free event features live music, a performance by Durti-Ryce featuring Deron, educational programming, a Black history wall, vendors and a kids zone with carnival rides. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Memorial Park, 2975 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Kinfolk Fest Juneteenth: SD Melanin is hosting its annual festival to celebrate Black joy, music and culture for Juneteenth. This year features DJs, live performances, vendors, food and beverages, art activations and games. Reserve tickets online starting at $50. 1 - 9 p.m., Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
June 21
Harriet Tubman Bird Walk: WorldBeat Cultural Center is leading its fourth annual Harriet Tubman Freedom Bird Walk, a Juneteenth event celebrating Black history, nature and liberation. The event includes guided birdwatching led by the SoCal Bird Nerds and San Diego Bird Alliance, cultural storytelling, native habitat restoration, an African Peace Drum Circle and soul food. Participants will also learn about the role birds played in Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad missions. The event is free and open to all ages. RSVP online. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
ONYX: A Black Artist Exhibition: SD Melanin is closing its Juneteenth weekend Kinfolk Fest with an exhibition celebrating Black visual artists and creatives from San Diego. Curated by Imani Camara with curatorial assistance from Faith Richardson, the showcase features painters, musicians, visual artists and storytellers whose work reflects the diversity and depth of Black creative expression in the region. RSVP for free online. 4 - 7 p.m., Broker's Building Art Gallery Board, 525 C St., Suite 2, San Diego, CA 92101
