Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration

The beachside city has been hosting this Juneteenth celebration for 34 years—three decades before it was recognized as a federal holiday. The theme of this year’s family-friendly event—“A Legacy of Liberation: Honoring our Resistance and Resilience”—represents the past and ongoing fight for equity and justice. Expect a free day of live music, fun activities, inspiring stories, delicious food and an interactive West African drumming workshop. The evening before, on June 19 itself, Santa Monica Cultural Affairs is hosting an inaugural Juneteenth Gathering, centered around wellness and community, complete with a free film screening, sound immersion, art workshop and DJ sets at Christine Emerson Reed Park and the Miles Memorial Playhouse.