SAN DIEGO — June 19th marks Juneteenth, the holiday that was mostly celebrated in Black families in the South to commemorate the end of slavery on June 19, 1865. This came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation when the last remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas were freed.
President Joe Biden made it a federal holiday in 2021 so every American could learn about the holiday and celebrate freedom. Mayor Todd Gloria signed the proclamation designating Juneteenth as a city holiday in San Diego in 2023.
Juneteenth Events
Juneteenth 2 Mile Run/Walk
Friday, June 14, 2024
2375 Recreation Way
Bldg 3279
8:00 a.m.
4th Annual Juneteenth Summer BBQ
Saturday, June 15
La Jolla Shores Beach
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cooper Family Foundation Juneteenth Art & Culture Celebration
June 15
Memorial Park
2975 Ocean View Blvd
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
AXIS: Juneteenth Celebration | The Old Globe
Saturday, June 15
Copley Plaza
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kinfolk Fest Juneteenth 2024
Saturday, June 15
Waterfront Park
12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
R&B Block Party: Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 15
Quartyard
1301 Market Street
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Third Annual La Mesa Juneteenth Jubilee
Sunday, June 16
MacArthur Park
4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa
Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 19
The Rooftop
14145 Campo Road Jamul
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Juneteenth at Chollas Lake
Saturday, June 22
6350 College Grove Dr
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
San Diego County closures for Juneteenth
In observance of Juneteenth, all San Diego County offices, family resource centers, libraries and animal shelters will be closed to the public Wednesday, June 19.
Law enforcement, emergency animal control response, and other essential services will continue through the holiday.
County parks, campgrounds and neighborhood day-use parks remain open 365 days a year. However, the following locations will be closed Wednesday:
- Fallbrook Community Center
- Lakeside Community Center
- Spring Valley Community Center
- Spring Valley Gymnasium
- 4S Ranch Recreation Office only (all parks will be open)
- Community Teen Centers
- Valley Center Community Hall and Adams Park Pool
Camping reservations can always be made online at the County’s Online Camping Reservations web page, but the Department of Parks and Recreation’s reservation phone line will not be staffed during the holiday.
All County public health clinics will be closed Wednesday.
All County offices will resume normal business hours Thursday, June 20.
Watch Related: Father and son create their own business at Juneteenth celebration on Father's Day (Jun 18, 2023)