Learn, Reflect & Celebrate Juneteenth
There are several regional events honoring Juneteenth- the national holiday of freedom celebrating the resilience, hope, and determination of people of African descent. More than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, June 19, 1865 marks the day that Union soldiers arrived in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved people of African descent in the state were free by executive decree.
In recognition of the City’s continued commitment to race and equity and the City Council 2024 Priority focused on Community Health, Safety, Wellness & Belonging, we encourage the community to reflect and celebrate Juneteenth, which could take on many forms including joining your neighbors and friends at Palo Alto and Bay Area events offering music, dancing, and more, or learning through Palo Alto Library curated book lists.
Read this community update sharing ways to learn, reflect and celebrate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Celebration in East Palo Alto I Saturday, June 15 I 12 p.m. I Bell St. Park, East Palo Alto
This year’s Juneteenth celebration in East Palo Alto will honor Kwame Ture and the Floating Crap Game. Save the date to come celebrate. There will be food, music, dancing, and more!
Location: 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Menlo Park Juneteenth Celebration I Saturday, June 15 I 11 a.m. I Belle Haven Community Campus, Menlo Park
Join the City of Menlo Park’s Juneteenth celebration at the new Belle Haven Community Campus! Attendees will enjoy cultural entertainment, live music, resource information, free food (quantities are limited) and more.
Location: Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
Palo Alto Library Book Lists & Event
Book Lists for All Ages: Find resources to learn, reflect and celebrate Juneteenth by checking out the Palo Alto Library book lists here.
Event for All Ages: What’s Up Wednesday Music with Soul4Kids on Wednesday, June 19; 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. at Rinconada Library
Redwood City Celebrates Juneteenth, Music on the Square I Friday, June 21 I 6 p.m. I Courthouse Square, Redwood City
Join the community in celebrating Juneteenth with this free music on the square event with food trucks, vendors and more.
Duane Patton, alongside his band, “Patton Leatha”, work to bring premier live shows. From sultry slow jams, to turning up the funk, this band can do it all. Playing music from the Motown era, R&B, old-school hits and even current top 40 they will certainly entertain.
Location: 2200 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063
5th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival I Saturday, June 22 I 12 p.m. I Los Altos
Los Altos 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival will be an afternoon of art, music, food, rum punch, wine, beer, speeches, dancers, and vendors! This is a free event.
Location: 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022
MORE ONLINE RESOURCES
Race & Equity — City of Palo Alto, CA
Juneteenth Reading List | Palo Alto City Library
