Celebrating Juneteenth This Friday in Santa Monica

Every week, Next reprints (at least) one article from the City Manager’s Weekly Update.

HHS, RAD, and our the Juneteenth committee members (pictured below) would love to see everyone at Santa Monica’s Juneteenth weekend celebration, a vibrant series of community- centered events honoring Black history, culture, wellness, creativity, and joy.

The celebration begins on Friday, June 19, at the Miles Memorial Playhouse and Reed Park, where the community can enjoy sound healing, card readings, DJ sets, live music performances, and Casted Frequencies, an interactive art workshop led by Camera Obscura Artist in Residence London James.

The weekend continues on Saturday, June 20, from 1PM–7PM at Virginia Avenue Park with the 34th Annual Juneteenth Festival. A huge thank you to Mayor Torosis for her commitment to presenting the City’s Juneteenth Proclamation at the event. This family-friendly celebration will feature live music by artists including Kobie Dozier, Eleganthippy & Butterfly, and Gumbo Brothers, along with drumming by Project Knucklehead—so come ready to dance if that’s your thing!

Attendees can also enjoy food from local favorites like Jon Que’s Smokeout, Patty Wagon, and more, while exploring community resources, Black-owned businesses, and family- friendly art activities that honor Santa Monica’s Belmar history and celebrate the richness and resilience of the Black community.

For more details on Santa Monica’s Juneteenth plans, click here.

About The Author

Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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