Celebrating Juneteenth
As we approach June 19th, Los Angeles County joins communities across the nation in recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, many African Americans were still held in bondage for months following emancipation. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 that the enslaved African Americans were freed by General Order No. 3.
 Exterior of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA
We invite you to join us in commemorating this holiday at some of the various Juneteenth events happening across the County below. Here are some of the offerings from our County museums in commemoration of this holiday:
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La Brea Tar Pits: The La Brea Tar Pits is offering free admission to all visitors from 3-5pm on Thursday, June 19. Free tickets will be available at any onsite museum ticketing desk.
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LACMA: Every year, nearly half of LACMA's visitors attend the museum for free. All L.A. County residents enjoy free admission every weekday after 3 pm and those under 18 are invited to join NexGenLA, a free membership that allows the youth plus one adult to visit as often as they wish with no admission fee. There are many other free days throughout the year available to everyone. For a complete list, visit lacma.org/tickets.
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Natural History Museum: The Natural History Museum is offering free admission to all visitors from 3-5pm on Thursday, June 19. Free tickets will be available at any onsite museum ticketing desk.
For more information on additional upcoming events, visit the LA County Library's page here: lacountylibrary.org/celebrate-juneteenth
You can also check out related non-County events below:
Juneteenth Ceremony
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- Thursday, June 19, 2025
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Bruce's Beach Park
- Highland Avenue between 26th Street and 27th Street
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The City of Manhattan Beach invites the community to honor freedom for African-Americans at Bruce’s Beach Park.
Speakers from the community, special guests, and more!
Parking will be very limited around the park (See Juneteenth Ceremony Event Map). Additional parking is available at Grand View Elementary School.
2025 Juneteenth Celebration and Concert
- Sunday, June 22
- 2:00 to 7:00 PM
- Polliwog Park
- 1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
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Live music, food, vendors, and family fun at this vibrant community festival. Bring your blankets to enjoy a picnic on the grass or one of the many performances in the amphitheater. This event is FREE to attend. We look forward to welcoming you to the City of Manhattan Beach’s Juneteenth Celebration and Concert. Please review the following important event details to help ensure a safe, enjoyable, and accessible experience for all attendees. All items listed below are subject to change.
Event Schedule
Live music provided by DJ Slaterrose throughout the event
- 2:00 PM – Vendor Village Opens
- 3:00 PM – Poetry Slam presented by Mira Costa High School Black Scholars Union
- 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM – South Side Symphony (Set One)
- 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM – Intermission
- 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM – South Side Symphony (Set Two)
Food Vendors
A variety of food options will be available for purchase from the following Black-owned businesses:
- Chronic Tacos
- Dilan’s Caribbean Grill
- Vurger Guyz
- Creamy Boys
Juneteenth - Korean Friendship Bell-Ringing
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- Thursday, June 19, 2025
- 11am - 1pm PDT
- 3601 South Gaffey Street, Los Angeles, CA 90731
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One of San Pedro's most famous landmarks, the Korean Bell of Friendship was presented by South Korea to the American people in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. and to symbolize the friendship between the two nations. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law to officially designate Juneteenth as an American federal holiday, and the Korean Friendship Bell was rung for the first time on June 19 in its commemoration.
Presented by the L.A. County African American Employees Association, the Juneteenth Celebration is taking place at the Korean Bell from 11am to 1pm. The festivities will include a bell ringing, music and light refreshments. Free with RSVP.
About the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
On July 21, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to establish an Anti-Racism Los Angeles County Policy Agenda to address “generational inequality and systemic anti-Black racism.” Recognizing that racism is “a matter of public health in Los Angeles County,” and that racism against Black people and communities of color has resulted in large disparities in family stability, health and wellbeing, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice and housing, the Board directed the County Chief Executive Officer to establish the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative.
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