Juneteenth, also known as Black Independence Day, has been a federally celebrated holiday in the United States since 2021, but many families have been honoring the day since 1865.
The holiday celebrates the ending of slavery in the U.S., which came two years after President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
On June 19, 1865, two months after the Civil War ended, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to notify people that slavery had been abolished. Former slaves in the state immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasts, songs and dance.
For decades, the holiday has been celebrated by African Americans through festivals, block parties, picnics, prayer and more. Long Beach has hosted its Juneteenth celebration for the past few years and has become one of the biggest Juneteenth parties in Southern California each year.
This year, multiple celebrations will take place in Long Beach featuring historical exhibits, food trucks, live music and more.
June 16 – June 20, Juneteenth Heritage Park Exhibit
The Black Resource Center and Elite Skills Development will host this historical exhibit at the Black Resource Center at King Park (1133 Rhea St.) from June 16 – 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can visit the “From the South to the West: African American Migration and Long Beach Harbor Development” and learn about how Black people migrated to Long Beach and their contributions to the development of Long Beach. Through family photographs, profiles and city documents, each section will focus on a different aspect of migration and development.
The exhibit is free and open to all ages. For more information about the exhibit, please contact Executive Director Sharon Diggs-Jackson directly at (562) 244-9324, shdiggs56@gmail.com or through the website at www.eliteskillsdev.org.
June 17, Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
The city will host its annual daylong festival at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E. Shoreline Drive) with R&B and gospel singer Kelly Price, step shows, live jazz and gospel music, poetry, food trucks and more.
Last year the event brought in over 10,000 people, and the city is expecting just as many people this year. Other activities will include a Kings & Queens Village for children, booths showcasing local Black artists, food trucks from Black-owned businesses and a traveling Black history museum from Forgotten Images.
Entertainment will include performances from:
- DJ JiJi Sweet
- Phylicia Hill
- Dembrebrah African Drum and Dance Ensemble
- Greater Los Angeles Community Choir
- Divas of Compton
- Piece of Paradise
- Micah Bournes
- Ayanna and Acacia Greenage
- Brandon E. Owens and Friends
- Gee Mack and Asia Raye
- Step shows from CSULB cultural Greek fraternities and sororities
The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free but requires online registration.
June 18, 2nd Annual JUNETEENTH @ King Park
King Park’s Juneteenth celebration will also celebrate Black fathers on Father’s Day with a DAD Zone, KIDS Zone community breakfast and church. The celebration will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 1950 Lemon Ave.
Grace Memorial Church will host the church service before the community breakfast. The event will also feature games, music, food trucks and local vendors selling their wares. Free to attend.
June 19, Juneteenth Fireworks Cruise
Harbor Cruises will be honoring the holiday by inviting residents to take a scenic cruise on one of its double-decker vessels. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase aboard the ship.
Boarding will begin at 7:15 p.m. and the firework show will take place around 8:45 p.m. The cruise will end around 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online.
