Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration

Southern California’s premiere Juneteenth event returns on June 17 with a day-long celebration of Black history and culture featuring live music, family activities, food trucks and more.

Founded in 2021 by Carl Kemp and quickly becoming one of the region’s signature annual summer events, the Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration returns on June 17, 2023 with a full day of performances, activities, art, dancing, and special activations that commemorate the end of slavery in the United States while honoring and celebrating Black history and culture.

Performances, Activities and Events

The centerpiece of the festival will be a main stage featuring live music, choir, dance, and more. Headlined by platinum selling artist Kelly Price, there will also be performances throughout the day by:

- DJ Jiji Sweet
- Phylicia Hill
- Dembrebrah African Drum and Dance Ensemble
- Divas of Compton
- Piece of Paradise
- Michah Bournes
- Ayanna and Acacia Greenage
- Brandon E. Owens and Friends
- Gee Mack & Asia Raye

Three step dancers dance on the stage at the Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration

In addition to musical acts, the main stage will also host a Black Greek step show featuring local African American fraternities & sororities and a moving concert by the Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir, an award-winning community gospel ensemble known for its dynamic vocal talents.

Beyond the stage, festival goers can partake in family activities at a children's village, including face painting, arts and crafts, games, and more. Vendors and local food trucks will be on-site, allowing attendees to refuel throughout the day.

For more information and updates on the 2023 festival, consult the Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration’s official website and social media channels: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau is a proud sponsor of the 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration?

The 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration will be hosted on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Where will the 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration be held?

The 2023 event will be hosted in the heart of Long Beach’s lively Waterfront, at Rainbow Lagoon Park (400 E. Shoreline Dr.).

How do I get tickets to the 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration?

Admission to the 2023 Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration is free, however tickets are required for entry into the festival. Complimentary tickets are available online via Eventbrite.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the oldest national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, which officially ended on June 19, 1865 — two and a half years following President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclomation — when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the enslaved that the Civil War had ended and they were now free. Juneteenth was declared a national holiday in 2021 and the first large-scale Juneteenth celebration was hosted in Long Beach on June 19, 2021, however smaller community celebrations had occurred for years prior.