Hella Juneteenth Festival returns to OMCA
Hella Juneteenth Festival returns to OMCA
Celebrate Black freedom with live music, art, food & community
June 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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
- Sign up here to get early access
Thursday, June 19 (Festival Day)
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 | Location TBD
- 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.
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.
Tickets + Add-Ons
General Admission — $20
- Includes access to the Hella Juneteenth Festival and all OMCA galleries.
- Free admission for children 12 and under with an advance ticket.
Cookout plates are available as an optional add-on during checkout while supplies last.
VIP Admission — $95
Upgrade your experience with a VIP ticket, which includes:
- A Cookout Plate curated by Last Supper Society and Chef Michele McQueen
- Access to a specialty bar and curated drink tastings
- Entry to the VIP Lounge and premium viewing areas
(21+ only; valid ID required)
Cookout Plate — $30
- Pre-purchase your Cookout Plate at checkout — quantities are limited and sold out in advance last year. We highly recommend securing your plate early.
- Buy a VIP ticket — VIP tickets include a Cookout Plate with no additional purchase necessary.
Last Year’s Highlights
