Palm Springs to host multiple Juneteenth celebrations Thursday through Saturday
Events include panel discussions, pageant, concerts and community picnic to commemorate the national holiday celebrating the effective end of slavery.
Palm Springs will honor Juneteenth National Independence Day with a series of community events this week, including panel discussions, a youth pageant, concerts, and a family-friendly picnic.
The celebration kicks off on Thursday (June 19), with “Juneteenth: The Fight for Freedom,” hosted by the Sunset Music & Education Foundation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs (125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way).
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The free event will feature a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Imani Woody and hosted by performer and activist Sweet Baby J’ai. Panelists include media producer Marilyn Solomon, LGBTQ+ advocate Tim Vincent, and Riverside County DNC Chair Joy Silver.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, marking the true end of slavery in the U.S. and serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.
“Juneteenth is not just about reflecting on the past — it’s about looking forward and taking action,” said Sweet Baby J’ai. “This celebration is an opportunity to come together, reflect on the work that’s been done, and energize ourselves for the work that lies ahead.”
The evening also includes an interactive “Boots on the Ground” dance led by the Coachella Valley Sistahs Network, musical performances by Yve Evans, and poetry by Sweet Baby J’ai. Light appetizers and cocktails will be available for purchase. Community partners include Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs, the Mizell Center, and the Brothers of the Desert.
Later Thursday evening, the city’s Juneteenth festivities continue at VillageFest from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Downtown Palm Springs. The celebration will feature a live DJ, cupcakes, arts and crafts, and educational booths exploring the history and significance of Juneteenth.
On Friday, the annual Kings & Queens Pageant—a tradition for more than 30 years—will take place at 5 p.m. at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center (480 W. Tramview Road). That same evening, a Concert in the Park will begin at 7 p.m. at Downtown Park (Museum Way and Belardo Road), featuring a musical tribute to Kool & the Gang.
The weekend concludes Saturday, with a Unity Picnic at 5 p.m. at Downtown Park. The free event includes food vendors, live entertainment, games, arts and crafts, and children’s rides.
Also on Saturday, free screenings of a documentary that follows local residents as they fight to remove large tamarisk trees from a historically Black neighborhood will take place at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
For more information about “Juneteenth: The Fight for Freedom,” visit www.sunsetmusic.org. Details on the full schedule of events are available at palmspringsblackhistory.org.
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