Thank You for Celebrating Juneteenth with Us!

The City of Manhattan Beach extends our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in honoring Juneteenth. Your presence helped make this year’s events meaningful, memorable, and a true celebration of freedom, culture, and community.

We’re already looking ahead to next year and hope you'll join us again as we continue to commemorate this important day together. Stay tuned for 2026 Juneteenth event details on this webpage and be sure to Click to subscribe to the Juneteenth eNotification topic!

Juneteenth
Juneteenth (June 19) is the oldest known celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the US. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, enslaved people finally received news from Union soldiers that they had been set free by the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 and a California state holiday in 2023.  The City of Manhattan Beach held its first Juneteenth Ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Bruce's Beach Park and Juneteenth Celebration and Concert on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Polliwog Park.

For more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department via email or call (310) 802-5448. Want to stay informed about Juneteenth? Click to subscribe to the Juneteenth eNotification topic.

2025 JUNETEENTH CEREMONY

Relive the 2025 Juneteenth Ceremony and Celebration through the pictures and videos below.

Parking will be very limited around the park (See Juneteenth Ceremony Event Map (PDF)). Additional parking is available at Grand View Elementary School.

DIAL-A-RIDE for Manhattan Beach Residents
The Manhattan Beach Dial-A-Ride is a shared ride, curb-to-curb bus service for Manhattan Beach residents who are 55+ years old or disabled (all ages). Riders who have a short-term disability are also eligible to ride by providing a letter from their physician. All buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift. Drivers provide boarding and disembarking assistance as needed. To schedule a ride, please call (310) 545-3500.

2025 Juneteenth Celebration and Concert

Juneteenth Celebration and Concert
Celebrate Black joy in the park.
Sunday, June 22
2:00 to 7:00 PM
Polliwog Park
1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard

RSVP for the Juneteenth Celebration and Concert

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 businesses:

• Chronic Tacos
• Dilan’s Caribbean Grill
• Vurger Guyz
• Creamy Boys

Parking and Transportation

Parking near the venue is extremely limited. Attendees are strongly encouraged to consider alternative modes of transportation, including walking, biking, carpooling, or using a rideshare service. If driving, please allow extra time to locate parking and walk to the outdoor amphitheater.

What to Bring

Guests are welcome to bring:

• Lawn chairs and blankets for seating
• Picnic food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Sunscreen and reusable water bottles
• Canopies can be used along the back of the amphitheater
• Personal umbrellas and parasols can be used within the amphitheater;

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the event
• Pets are not permitted, except service animals, in accordance with ADA regulations
• No personal barbecues, cooking surfaces, camping stoves, etc.

Accessibility

The event venue is ADA accessible. If you or a member of your party requires ADA information, please contact Andrew Booras in advance.

DIAL-A-RIDE for Manhattan Beach Residents
The Manhattan Beach Dial-A-Ride is a shared ride, curb-to-curb bus service for Manhattan Beach residents who are 55+ years old or disabled (all ages). Riders who have a short-term disability are also eligible to ride by providing a letter from their physician. All buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift. Drivers provide boarding and disembarking assistance as needed. To schedule a ride, please call (310) 545-3500.

For more information, please visit the Juneteenth webpage or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (310) 802-5448 or via email.

Check out the 2024 Juneteenth Celebration and Concert photo album below.

What Juneteenth means to our community as well as resources and tool kits to help you celebrate Juneteenth.