Juneteenth Santa Barbara will host Love for The People, the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration 11 am.-6 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Plaza Del Mar in Santa Barbara.
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.
“We all need some love these days,” said Jordan Killebrew, Juneteenth SB co-founder. “The Juneteenth SB ‘Juneteam’ is excited to return and bring some much needed joy for our community. We look forward to celebrating on that Friday, the actual Juneteenth holiday.”
The Juneteenth Santa Barbara celebration will bring together residents and visitors for a vibrant day of live music, art, cultural performances, local food, community resources, and educational experiences honoring the significance of Juneteenth while uplifting Black voices and creativity.
Juneteam organizers are inviting the community to help make the 2026 celebration a success. Applications and inquiries are now open for the following:
Be an Artist & Performer – Musicians, dancers, spoken word artists, and visual artists interested in showcasing their work. Selected artists and performers receive a stipend.
Open until April 15
Be a Vendor – Local businesses, artisans, and food vendors who want to be part of this community marketplace. Vendors must have a current Business Tax Certificate with the city of Santa Barbara and pay a $100 vendor fee.
Open until April 15.
Volunteer – Community members who would like to support event operations and help create a welcoming experience for attendees. Please see the volunteer webpage for more details.
Open until May 15
Be a Sponsor – Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting Juneteenth Santa Barbara and demonstrating a commitment to community, culture, and equity.
Open until May 15, for printed items.
To apply, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqyYxmT37fWrQ3pdai0jABR4UuMZo1FZyq3HAq84Vv1rozsw/viewform
Email juneteenthsbc@gmail.com for more information.
For participation opportunities or more information, contact:
juneteenthsbc@gmail.com.
For more information go to juneteenthsb.org.