Juneteenth Santa Barbara Announces 2026 “Love for The People” Celebration at Plaza Del Mar
Juneteenth Santa Barbara Announces 2026 “Love for The People” Celebration at Plaza Del Mar
Community invited to participate as artists, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors
Santa Barbara, CA — Juneteenth Santa Barbara is proud to announce the 2026 “Love for The People” Juneteenth Celebration that will take place on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Plaza Del Mar in Santa Barbara from 11 am - 6 pm. The annual event commemorates the historic day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States learned of their freedom, and it continues to serve as a powerful celebration of Black history, culture, resilience, and community. Juneteenth Santa Barbara honors this tradition, especially at the local level.
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Looking for Santa Barbara's Black Community | SB Independent
Looking for Santa Barbara’s
Black Community
A Culture and History Displaced
and Almost Forgotten
By Maya Johnson | Credit: February 12, 2026
Tanya Spears Guiliacci was the first Black Santa Barbara native I ever met, five years into living in this city.
We met through my job at the Independent, the only two Black people working in our office. This experience of isolation in Santa Barbara is something I, and many other Black folks, have long been accustomed to.
Being Black in Santa Barbara, it is not uncommon to find oneself as the “only” in the room. When we Black Santa Barbarans do see each other around town, we throw a wave or a smile, compliment each other’s hair, and maybe even swap numbers and promise to connect, but community — a real sense of Black community — is difficult to find here.
Yet, surprisingly, Santa Barbara’s Black population has a lengthy history. Read More
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Hope for the People Celebration Video
Special thanks to Rex Bridgeforth II and The Sure Shot Media for the video!
Juneteenth Santa Barbara is an annual event, where we bring community members together to celebrate the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom and immediately danced in the streets. Today we honor our ancestors and celebrate our freedom, showcasing black joy and culture in Santa Barbara, California. Our 2024 community event themed ‘Hope for The People’ also honored local Black artists & artisans, performers, and organizations as well as provided free food, dancing, and singing.
On Saturday, June 15 we celebrated at Plaza Del Mar park utilizing the upgraded Band Shell for our joyous event. Learn more at: https://juneteenthsb.org/
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FIVE Days to Complete the Survey!
Five Days Left to Complete the State of the Black Santa Barbara County Community Survey
After a year of being open since our 2024 Juneteenth event, the survey will close on Monday, June 30! This comprehensive survey helps gather data about the Black community across Santa Barbara County. UCSB Center for Evaluation is facilitating the survey, and the Santa Barbara Foundation and NAACP Santa Maria—Lompoc are sponsors.
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2025 Hope for the People In the Media
Black Artisan Market and Community Nonprofits
The Black Artisan Market includes Carrie’s Daughter BUnique, Dawn Carlson, Gypsy Moon House, Healing & Feel Good Candles, Healing Justice SB, Howeventful, Kadence Naturals, Kat Lincoln & Sin Palabras, Moore on Health, Planet Protectors Santa Barbara, Reyna, Riah Safari, Shirely Girl Boutique, Sweet Haul, Tracy, To Live A Colorful Life, Warrior Mother Essential Oils & Blends, The Whole 9, and The Wisdom Center.
Our community nonprofits that will be tabling include Community Environmental Council, MLK Jr. SB, Moms Demand Action Santa Barbara, NAACP Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Public Library/Library on the Go, and Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
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Meet our Hope For The People Performers!
Make a plan for Sustainable Travel to Juneteenth Santa Barbara!
Please make a conscious choice to have a lower environmental impact by traveling to Juneteenth SB by walking, bike, bus, or train. This weekend will be busy with UCSB graduation, the No Kings Protest, and more!We encourage you to check out Amtrak if you are traveling from out of town - the station is walking distance. Alternatively, consider using Santa Barbara MTD if you are coming from within Goleta to Carpinteria, or consider biking, if you are able. Bcycle_bikeshare bikes are available for rent!
Parking is available in the Pershing Park parking lot, ocean front parking lots, and SBCC parking lots.
See y’all tomorrow!!
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JSB "Hope for the People" Stage Lineup!
Learn More About Juneteenth SB "Hope for The People" Celebration
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Juneteenth Santa Barbara welcomes the community to the eighth annual Juneteenth celebration in South Santa Barbara County!
Bring a lawn chair, blankets, and the family to enjoy a free celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park at Castillo Street and Cabrillo/Shoreline Streets. Come stay a while and enjoy the day!
The celebration includes local live performances, the return of the Black Artisan Market, the Indy Parenting kids zone with 805 Body Art face painting, the Santa Barbara Public Library on the Go Van, and so much more! This year's theme invokes the emotion of hope, one that finds strength in community gathering together to celebrate freedom. Juneteenth SB has partnered with Leticia Resch for event logistics to plan a safe, fun, and successful event.
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The Story of 'Joy'
Sojourner “JOY” Kincaid Rolle. Full stop. That's the sentence. How do you capture an icon's life into a word count? Especially one who was a master with words, every detail, every diction, and every dialect. To know Sojourner was to understand truth, history, and true love. She was a perfectionist, an artist, a peacemaker, and an activist who saw beauty in all things and all people, a true steward of justice and an inspirer of hope. Her story exemplifies a person who has lived many lives and understood the meaning of living a fulfilled life. I am honored to be among a few close friends to share her magnificent story.
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Basketball Shooting Competition - SO-Athletic
My name is Sebastian "Sebo" Sieghart, and I have 12 years of experience working with professional athletes overseas. It was an honor to be trusted by NCAA 1 athletes, European top teams, NBA players, and National teams.
Love brought me here to Santa Barbara, and I love to share my time, passion, and knowledge with everybody that wants to perform and enjoy life to the fullest.
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Sustainable Travel Options to Juneteenth Santa Barbara
Please make a conscious choice to have a lower environmental impact by traveling to Juneteenth SB by bike, bus, or train. This upcoming weekend will be busy with UCSB graduation. We encourage you to check out Amtrak if you are traveling from out of town, Santa Barbara MTD if you are coming from within Goleta to Carpinteria, or if you can consider biking as MOVE Santa Barbara County will valet your bike for FREE at the Block Party.
Peace of Mind: Leave your bike with our trusty MOVE Santa Barbara County bike valets, who will keep it safe and secure throughout the event.
Skip the Hassle: No more searching for crowded bike racks or worrying about finding a safe spot to lock your bike.
Arrive & Depart Quickly: The bike valet allows for quick drop-off and pick-up of your bike, keeping you at the heart of the Juneteenth celebration.
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Joy for The People Block Party Performers & Vendors
