Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth has been gaining national traction and popularity in recent years. The day slavery ended in the United States was when the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas-making June 19th (Juneteenth) African American Independence Day or Freedom Day! Join Amtrak San Joaquins as we celebrate the heritage, culture, and history that is Juneteenth. Our Friends and Family discount is the perfect family-friendly way to travel this Juneteenth weekend. Let Amtrak San Joaquins be your guide to these local festivals and events!

Juneteenth Celebration Of Freedom Pop-Up Shop

Southside Park, 2115 6th St, Sacramento, CA | Saturday June 18, 2022 | 12:00 PM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

This Juneteenth Pop-up Shop brings vendors from all over the Sacramento Region. In addition, it showcases some of the best local artists celebrating African American Culture. Making it possible for vendors to network, connect, and uplift the public. This family-friendly event includes live music, food, face painting, and more!

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the Sacramento Valley Station, they can take a quick 7-minute Lyft or Uber Ride to Southside Park. For those riders who prefer to walk, it is a simple 26-minute stroll from the Sacramento Valley Station. Head east from the station, turn right toward I Street, turn left onto I Street, turn right onto 5th Street, turn left on J Street, continue onto the David J Stern Walk, continue onto 5th Street, turn left onto T Street, Southside Park will be on your right.

Sacramento's 19th Annual Juneteenth Festival

William Lank Park, Sacramento, CA | June 17 - 19, 2022| Friday June 17; 6:00 PM PDT - 9:00 PM PDT, Saturday June 18; 11:00 AM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

Sacramento's Annual Juneteenth festival will kick off on Friday night with a Gospel Under the Stars Reunion Concert. Enjoy live music as we prepare and gear up for the following day's activities. Saturday, the party kicks into high gear with live music featured on two stages that will showcase different entertainment throughout the day, including a talent show. There will be food vendors, an arts and education pavilion, a health and wellness row, and booths you can shop. In addition, we will have keynote speakers and American Historical Presentations. On our final day, relax with a round of golf at the William Land Park Golf Course as we close out this fantastic cultural celebration of freedom!

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the Sacramento Valley Station, they can take a quick 11-minute Lyft or Uber to the William Land Park.

46th Annual Stockton Juneteenth Celebration

Weber Point Events Center, 221 N Center St, Stockton, CA | Saturday June 18, 2022 | 10:00 AM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

Celebrate as a community for the 46th annual Juneteenth Celebration at Weber Point! This event will feature a poetry slam, car show, fashion show, food and art vendors, a healing tent, live music, and more. Enjoy the soulful sound of a community mass quiet while the kids entertain themselves in the Kids Corner. This event is fun for the whole family and free to attend! So why not enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon celebrating African American History!

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the San Joaquins Street Station, they can take a quick 5-minute Lyft or Uber to the Weber Points Event Center. If riders prefer to walk, it is a brisk 20-minute walk from the San Joaquin Street Station. Head east toward South San Joaquin Street, turn left onto South San Joaquin Street, turn left onto East Weber Ave, and turn right onto North Center Street; Weber Point Events Center will be on your right.

Modesto's Juneteenth and Father's Day

Graceada Park, 401 Needham St, Modesto, CA | Sunday, June 19, 2022 | 10:00 AM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

Celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth at Graceada Park in Modesto! There will be vendors, food, live music, stage entertainment, contests, prizes, and more! This event is kid-friendly and fun for the whole family, and it is also free to attend! So why not make the perfect Sunday afternoon relaxing, enjoying, and celebrating Juneteenth!

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the Modesto Station, they can take a quick 13-minute Lyft or Uber to Graceada Park.

Juneteenth Celebration and Parade

McNamara Park, 1040 Canal St, Merced, CA | Saturday June 18, 2022 | 10:00 AM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

Fun for the whole family! Join the Merced County NAACP Branch for a day full of free games, food, drinks, live music, and various vendors. The Juneteenth Celebration in Merced will kick off with a celebratory parade starting at 10 AM sharp at the Merced Theater. The parade route follows Martin Lurther King Jr. Way and will end at McNamara Park, where the Juneteenth festivities can begin! This event is free to attend.

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the Merced Station, they can take a quick 2-minute Lyft or Uber ride to the Merced Theater. If riders prefer to walk, they can take an 11-minute stroll by heading southeast on West 17th St/West Main Street toward Martin Luther King Jr Way, turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Way, turn left onto West 24th Street, and the destination will be on your right. If riders prefer skipping the parade and want to head straight to the festivities, they can take a 6-minute Lyft or Uber to McNamara Park.

Fresno's Juneteenth Celebration

Maxie L. Parks Community Center, 1802 E California Ave, Fresno, CA | June 16 - June 20, 2022 |

This year's theme is all about Family! The Fresno Juneteenth Collaborative Committee hosts this one-day event to celebrate this nationally recognized holiday. The celebration will include a parade, local performances, inspirational speakers, and workshops with a variety of food representing African American culture. It will also include games and entertainment to satisfy all age groups. This event is free and family-friendly. Recognizing the importance of African American Culture in American History. Please visit the Fresno Juneteenth Celebration website to learn more about the event.

Directions: Once Amtrak Riders arrive at the Fresno Station, they can take a quick 8-minute Lyft or Uber to the Maxie L. Parks Community Center

Afrocentric Oakland's Juneteenth Weekend

Lake Merritt Amphitheater | Saturday, June 18 - Sunday, June 19 | 12:00 PM PDT - 8:00 PM PDT

Celebrate all weekend long at Afrocentric Oakland's Juneteenth Weekend. This two-day event celebration will start on Saturday, June 18, with the Pan-African Wellness Fest, centered around holistic wellness. There will be fun activities for the entire family, including mediations, mental health yoga, Tai Chi, self-defense, spoken word, interactive art installations, a youth zone, and so much more! Then, come back on Sunday, June 19, for the Fam-Bam event, which will feature the Bay's best DJs, inspirational art pieces, PanAfrican vendors, and a Black Father's Day tribute. Tickets for these two days vary, the Pan African Wellness Fest tickets are $5, and FamBam tickets are $20. Tickets for both events can be purchased here.

Directions: From Amtrak San Joaquins Oakland Station, turn right and head toward Madison Street. Turn left onto Madison Street, walk straight for eight blocks and then turn right onto 10th Street. Turn left at the Oakland Museum of California. Continue walking straight, and you will reach the Lake Merritt Amphitheater.

Richmond's Juneteenth Family Day and Festival

Nicholl Park 3230 MacDonald Ave. Richmond, CA 94804 | Saturday, June 18 | 9:00 AM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT

The popular Richmond Juneteenth Family Parade & Festival will return this year! Be a part of the Juneteenth parade, which will begin at 9 AM at Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 South 47th St. in Richmond, and work to Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond, where the rest of the festival will take place. The parade will pass underneath the newly completed "Juneteenth Freedom Underpass" mural, which honors Juneteenth and community advocate Jerrold Hatchett. Don't miss out on this free event which will feature fun youth activities, delicious soul food, arts & crafts vendors, and musical entertainment!

Directions: From Amtrak San Joaquins Richmond Station to the parade at Anderson Community Center, head toward 19th Street, turn right onto 19th Street and take a slight left onto MacDonald Avenue. Hop onto BART at MacDonald Ave. & 21st Street. Get off at S 47th St & Cypress Avenue. Cross the road, and the destination will be to your left.

From Amtrak San Joaquins to join the festival at Nicholl Park. Head toward 19th Street. Turn right onto 19th St. and take a slight left on MacDonald Avenue. Walk ten blocks down, and the park will be to your right.

recent blog posts

Discovering Mendocino Railway

Discover the Mendocino Railway with some great adventures.

Save Big on Your Next San Francisco Getaway

We are excited to partner with the Handlery Union Square Hotel in San Francisco to provide special discounted room rates of up to 20% for Amtrak San Joaquins riders, along with 25% discounted train and Thruway Bus tickets! Access incredible savings for your next San Francisco vacation getaway using code AMTRAK when booking your […]

Winter Flash Sale: Save up to 40%

Day Hour Minute Second Don’t Miss the Winter Flash Sale: Save Up to 40% on AMTRAK SAN JOAQUINS! Book your winter travel and save big with our Winter Flash Sale! For a limited time, you can enjoy up to 40% off your train fare when you book your tickets before November 14th. Whether you’re planning […]

View All