Hella Juneteenth Festival returns to OMCA

Hella Juneteenth Festival returns to OMCA

Celebrate Black freedom with live music, art, food & community

This event is sold out.

A full day of food, music, art, and celebration

Oakland’s Black-led summer tradition returns to the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) for its biggest year yet. Hella Juneteenth Festival 2025, presented by Hella Creative, invites the community to gather in celebration of Black freedom, creativity, and legacy—through food, music, art, and collective joy.

This year’s celebration features a multi-day schedule filled with intentional, joyful experiences:

Wednesday, June 18

• Freedom Run 5K – A community run/walk around Lake Merritt, in partnership with Renegade Running and Town Strides, honoring movement as a form of resilience, energy, and bliss
• Futureproof Dinner – A culinary time travel experience curated by Last Supper Society and Chef Michele McQueen, featuring top Black chefs from across the country

Thursday, June 19 (Festival Day) — SOLD OUT

12–5 pm | OMCA Garden & Amphitheater

• Two stages of live music across the garden and amphitheater
• The return of the Cookout Plate, spotlighting beloved Black chefs and restaurants. Last year’s plate featured dishes from Sobre Mesa, Smokin’ Woods BBQ, and Town Fare — and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be just as unforgettable
• Futureproof is a tech-meets-art installation exploring liberation through creativity
• A curated selection of Black-owned vendors and community partners
• Interactive, family-friendly programming, including lawn games, a Kids’ Zone, and line dancing. 
• Expanded VIP experience with upgraded amenities, curated drink tastings, and exclusive access to the Town Fare Sun Deck
• And many more surprises to come

After Party | Mad Oak Bar ‘N’ Yard

5:30—9 pm | Mad Oak Bar ‘N’ Yard

• Golden State Valkyries Watch Party — a special WNBA live viewing event in partnership with OMCA, Hella Juneteenth Festival, and the league’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries, as they take on the Indiana Fever. The celebration doesn’t stop when the festival ends.

Join us as we come together to celebrate freedom, community, and culture.

About Hella Juneteenth

What began in 2020 as a grassroots campaign by Oakland’s own Hella Creative—urging companies and communities to recognize Juneteenth—quickly grew into a national movement, helping spark the shift that led to Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. Now in its second year at OMCA, that spirit lives on through the Hella Juneteenth Festival: a vibrant, community-centered celebration that honors Black history while uplifting the creativity, resilience, and brilliance of Black communities, now and into the future.

Hella Juneteenth Festival is produced by Hella Creative, a project of Sanctuary for Sustainable Artistry, Inc., and led by a visionary team: Brian Watson, Miles Dotson, Selena Davant, and Ryan Royster.

Know Before You Go

TICKETS & ENTRY

• GA + VIP tickets are now SOLD OUT.
• A limited number of walk-up tickets will be available at the festival on June 19, based on capacity throughout the day. Please understand that admission is not guaranteed.
• Check-in starts at 12 PM at the 10th & Oak Street entrance.
• Please bring your digital or printed ticket and a valid photo ID for entry.
• Note: No re-entry once admitted.

FOOD & DRINK

• Cookout Plates are sold out—but don’t worry! Chef Michele of Town Fare will host a concessions-style pop-up with additional cookout favorites available for purchase.
• Additional snacks, beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
• No outside food or alcohol is allowed (except for small snacks for children or valid medical needs).

BAG POLICY & WHAT TO BRING

✅ Allowed:

• Small blankets (6×6 ft max)
• Low lawn chairs
• Refillable water bottles
• Strollers (must be folded when stationary)
• Good vibes

🚫Not Allowed:

• NO Outside food or alcohol
• NO Tall chairs, tents, or large shade structures
• NO Pets (only service animals allowed)
• NO Large speakers, drones, or unauthorized professional photography
• NO Firearms, fireworks, or disruptive items

GETTING THERE

• Please use Alcopark Garage (located on 12th Street), one block from the OMCA. General parking is not available on-site.
• ADA Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at 1000 Oak Street.
• BART & AC Transit: OMCA is just one block from Lake Merritt BART and accessible via multiple AC Transit lines.

RAIN OR SHINE

The event will go on regardless of weather. Dress accordingly, stay cool, and hydrate!

CASHLESS EVENT

Hella Juneteenth is a cashless festival. Credit cards, debit cards, CashApp, and other digital payment methods are accepted at all points of sale.

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