Where to celebrate Juneteenth in the Inland Empire
Juneteenth events are set across the Inland Empire, from Menifee to Redlands.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It marks the formal end of slavery after the Civil War.
Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth for generations, but it became more widely recognized after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020, which sparked a nationwide racial reckoning. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, with the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by President Joe Biden.
Here are highlights of Juneteenth events across the region.
Riverside County
CORONA
The city’s free Juneteenth celebration will take place Monday, June 19.
It is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Circle City Center, 365 N. Main St. It will include vendors, music, raffles and contests, including a Father’s Day Poetry Contest.
For information, click here.
— Sarah Hofmann
CORONA
A Juneteenth Vendor Fair with music, food and games is set for Sunday, June 18, at Happiest Ours Wine and Spirits.
The event is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 490 N. Main St., Suite 103.
Reservation information: Click here.
— Sarah Hofmann
HEMET
A Juneteenth Celebration Skate Party is scheduled for Sunday, June 18.
The event is at the Wheelhouse Skating Rink, 2860 W. Florida Ave. It is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include food, music and vendors. Tickets are $15 and include skate rentals.
Information: 951-652-9968
– Monserrat Solis
MENIFEE
The second annual Juneteenth Celebration will be at Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee Valley Campus on Saturday, June 17.
The free event, set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will include entertainment, information booths, local vendors and face painting. The also will be a beer and wine garden. The campus is at 28237 La Piedra Road.
– Monserrat Solis
MORENO VALLEY
The city’s annual Juneteenth Celebration will be Saturday, June 17, at the Civic Center Amphitheater.
The event, set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., will feature booths, artists, food, vendors and children’s activities. The venue is at 14075 Frederick St.
Information: 951-413-3280 or specialevents@moval.org
– Monserrat Solis
MURRIETA
A virtual Juneteenth event via Zoom will feature an open mic for poets and musicians Monday, June 19.
The event is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Audience, performers and vendors can register by buying a ticket. Early-bird tickets for the audience and performers are $5. Regular-price and vendor tickets are $10.
Information: Click here.
— Sarah Hofmann
RIVERSIDE
The city will recognize Juneteenth with a flag-raising ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
The event will be outside Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St.
— Sarah Hofmann
RIVERSIDE
The third annual Juneteenth celebration will be at Fairmount Park on Saturday, June 17.
Hosted by The Black Collective and the Iota Phi Theta – Theta Gamma Chapter, it will include live music, poetry, educational workshops, food and speakers from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At the free event, the Inlandia Institute will launch its anthology, “These Black Bodies Are…” at 3 p.m. as part of the Inlandia’s Blacklandia Events Series.
For reservation information, click here.
— Sarah Hofmann
RIVERSIDE
The first annual Juneteenth Celebration and Awards Gala will take place at the Riverside Convention Center on Saturday, June 17.
The event, set for 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., is organized by the Riverside Section of the nonprofit National Council of Negro Women. It will feature dinner, music, dancing and a silent auction. The center is at 3637 5th St.
Tickets are $125, and available by clicking here.
— Sarah Hofmann
RIVERSIDE
A Juneteenth Celebration Concert will be staged Saturday, June 17, at Mt. Rubidoux Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The 6 p.m. event is a fundraiser for future Southeastern California Conference Black Ministries SHIFT Program projects. The church is at 5320 Victoria Ave.
Tickets are $20, $5 for those over 70 and free for children 12 and under. Click here to buy tickets.
— Sarah Hofmann
RIVERSIDE
The Art Speaks Juneteenth Event, organized by Music Changing Lives and the Civil Rights Institute, will be Monday, June 19.
The event is set for noon to 5 p.m. at the Bank of America Diversity Center and the Jose Medina Atrium at 3933 Mission Inn Ave. It will feature live art demonstrations, art activities, jazz and exhibition tours.
Admission is free, but reservations are requested by clicking here.
— Sarah Hofmann
San Bernardino County
REDLANDS
Unity in the Community, the University of Redlands Black Students, Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association and the city of Redlands will host a Freedom Awards reception Friday, June 16.
The event, set for noon to 2 p.m. will be at the University of Redlands Frederick Loewe Performance Hall, Room 107, on campus, 1200 E. Colton Ave. Awards will go to eight people who have made a difference by “building bridges to the generations” through work and commitment.
Juneteenth events will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Sylvan Park with puppet shows, community vendors, crafts, games, face painting, skating and the Redlands Police bookmobile.
Information: 909-793-1074 or jackiegreenvanguard@yahoo.com.
– Betty Tyler
Staff writer Allyson Vergara contributed to this report.
To suggest an event for this list, email inlandeditors@scng.com.