14 Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth In LA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Activists raise their fists in solidarity at the All Black Lives Matter Solidarity March on June 14, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Christine Ziemba contributed to this story.

With the many, many protests still happening throughout Los Angeles and the growing support for defunding the police, Juneteenth feels more significant this year than usual — and we don’t take the significance of the end of slavery in the United States lightly. Several companies have even made Juneteenth a paid holiday.

Whether you want to celebrate the day with other people, out in the world or at home, you’ve got options.

Leimert Park Rising

The 11th annual Juneteenth Festival doubles as a celebration and a rally for Black independence. The festival’s special honorees are educator Ben Caldwell, artist Lauren Halsey, food advocate Olympia Auset and musician Dom Kennedy. Guests can enjoy entertainment on three IRL stages while shopping from Black businesses and enterprises. All people and all ages are welcome. Masks are required.
Friday, June 19, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO

In this screengrab, Alicia Keys performs during Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 on May 16, 2020. (Getty Images/Getty Images for EIF & XQ)

Juneteenth Verzuz Battle

The latest installment of the Instagram music battle series pits musicians Alicia Keys and John Legend against each other for a special Juneteenth edition. The online series was started at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic by hip-hop producers Swizz Beatz (who also happens to be married to Keys) and Timbaland.
Friday, June 19, 5 p.m. PST
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers perform a scene from “Ode” during a dress rehearsal December 10, 2019 in New York. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

SummerStage Juneteenth Celebration

SummerStage usually hosts free IRL concerts in NYC’s Central Park but now that they’re virtual, we can all watch. Tune into SummerStage’s YouTube channel at 4 p.m. EST to hear a panel discussion led by Hope Boykin of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, followed by a tribute performance of Hanging Tree, featuring Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theatre, vocalist Marcelle Davies-Lashley and poet Carl Hancock Rux.
Friday, June 19, 4 p.m. PST
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

The Cookout

Log into Zoom for a celebration of Black excellence showcasing Black artists, poets and musicians. The event will raise money for @numaade cafe, a Black-owned business in DTLA that was destroyed during the recent protests. For every $50 raised, the event organizers will donate a week’s worth of groceries to a family in need (while supplies last).
Friday, June 19, 5p.m. – 8 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A strawberry cobbler. (Jennifer Pallian/Unsplash)

Pies For Justice

This is an online charity bake sale hosted by Gather For Good. Log on to the website at 9 a.m. to purchase sweet and savory pies from a selection of pastry chefs, bakers, restaurant owners and farmers. The site allows you to filter by location because you’ll need to pick up your purchase. All proceeds go to Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and The Gathering for Justice.
Friday, June 19, 9 a.m.
COST: TBD Ddepending on what pie you buy; MORE INFO

May 2020: A skateboarder does his thing at a Venice Beach skate park that had been covered in sand to prevent people from using it after stay-at-home restrictions went into effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Juneteenth Venice Skate-Bomb

This skate protest against racial violence will start at the 3rd Street Promenade and end at the Venice Beach Skate Park. Bring you own wheels — bikes, scooters and skateboards welcome. Masks are encouraged.
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

All Flavor No Grease’s Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration

Local taco truck All Flavor No Grease hosts a peaceful march down 108th Street in South L.A. Attendees are encourage to celebrate Black businesses. Food trucks and local vendors including Blue Kitching, Happy Ice and HJB Cream will provide refreshments. Speakers, including councilmember Herb Wesson who helped introduce a motion to cut $150 million from the LAPD’s budget, will talk about freedom, unity and justice.
Friday, June 19, 10a.m.- 6 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A protesters holds up a placard during a march past L.A. City Hall on June 3, 2020 to protest the death of George Floyd. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Million People March

Activist group Fight For Power is organizing a march through downtown Los Angeles to “honor the power of the black dollar and fight for black justice and equity.” The location is secret. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with the plan.
Friday, June 19, 12 p.m.
COST: Free; MORE INFO

Cache Jones and her daughter attend a June 16 protest urging officials to defund L.A. School Police. Cache says her daughter, a kindergartener, has already faced unjust treatment at her school to such an extent that she moved her to a different district. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Defend Black Lives Event

This demonstration will start at Pasadena’s City Hall. It will be a rally to defund police, invest in Black communities, and get President Trump to resign.
Friday, June 19, 5 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Run For Freedom

The two-mile protest run, starting at L.A. High Memorial Park (4625 West Olympic Blvd.), will be followed by a picnic. Organizers urge participants to wear black and bring food for the post-run festivites.
Friday, June 19, 4 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

LACCD March For Our Lives

Los Angeles Trade-Technical College invites other community college students, faculty and staff to join them for a march from Flower and Washington to Grand Park. Face masks are required.
Friday, June 19, 10 a.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

A fruit and vegetable stand. (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Juneteenth Celebration With Free Food Distribution

Food will be provided for community members on a first-come, first-served basis. Oraganizers ask that everyone wear masks. Programming provided by SCOPE L.A.Friday, June 19, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

P.J. Yates (left) and his sister Daijha Yates sing during the Juneteenth, Black Independence Day celebration at Nichol Park in Richmond, California on June 19, 2004. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Juneteenth Jubilee March For Equality

Marchers will start at Pershing Square and end at City Hall. Features speaker Jody Armour, a USC law professor who wrote N*gga Theory: Race, Language, Unequal Justice.
Friday, June 19, 4 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO

Naomi Williams (left) and D’Emanuel Grosse Sr. (right) enjoy sweet potato pie at the Juneteenth, Black Independence Day celebration at Nichol Park in Richmond, California on June 19, 2004. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

El Segundo For Black Lives Juneteenth Rememberance Ceremony

The newly formed El Segundo For Black Lives will host this memorial for Black Americans who have died at the hands of police. The ceremony will include names, spoken word tributes and community stories. Meet at El Segundo Library Park.
Friday, June 19, 3-5 p.m.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO