FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pathways of Freedom: 3rd Annual San Francisco Juneteenth Parade Honors Resilience and Achievements of African Americans
San Francisco, CA – May 14, 2025 – The highly anticipated 3rd Annual San Francisco Juneteenth Parade is set to take place on Sunday, June 22, 2025, bringing a vibrant celebration of freedom, unity, and community resilience, commemorating the historical significance of Juneteenth.
The Juneteenth Parade, sponsored by the Human Rights Commission and the City of San Francisco, will kick off at Market Street, featuring captivating floats representing various community organizations, schools, and corporate partners. Led by esteemed dignitaries and community leaders, the parade will traverse through the heart of San Francisco, symbolizing the journey toward equity and justice for all.
Building on decades of neighborhood-based planning and open streets activation, the nonprofit Livable City and Burges LLC will be leading event production with Fillmore- and Bayview-based organizers to bring the procession to the city streets. The event is supported and made possible through the support of sponsors including the San Francisco International Airport and GLIDE Memorial Church.
“San Francisco thrives when our city comes together for events that bring vibrancy and joy into our communities,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The Juneteenth Parade is an opportunity to celebrate freedom, unity, and the history and resilience of the African American community, and I look forward to this year’s celebration.”
“Commemorating Juneteenth in San Francisco means welcoming all and including all. I am thrilled that this month we are making our third annual parade down Market Street to mark the holiday for the entire city to enjoy,” said Mawuli Tugbenyoh, Acting Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. “The strength of the San Francisco community is most visible when we come together in solidarity and with purpose. That we as a city are marking the struggle borne by our ancestors, acknowledging the work to achieve freedom and equality, and celebrating our collective successes and achievements, makes me proud. We are all better for it. I am grateful to our many community partners, City staff, volunteers, and all those who have worked so hard to make our Juneteenth celebrations possible.”
Bishop Ishmael Burch, coordinator of the first Juneteenth parade in San Francisco in 1995, expressed his vision of the legacy and future of the celebration, stating, “Juneteenth is not just a celebration of freedom; it is a powerful reminder of our ongoing journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. As we honor the resilience of those who fought for their rights, let us commit to building a future where every voice is heard and every person is valued.”
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Market & Spear, proceeding west along Market to 8th Street. Vehicles and parade floats will disperse south via 8th Street. Those walking in the parade contingent will disperse onto westbound Grove and northbound Hyde streets. In addition to the parade, attendees can look forward to a jubilant festival featuring live performances, watch parties each block will be hosted with themes, look on our website for more info on the watch parties along the route hosted by many community partners, and activities.
The Juneteenth Parade in San Francisco invites individuals of all backgrounds to join in the festivities and embrace the spirit of freedom and unity. For more information and updates, visit https://livablecity.org/citywide-juneteenth/ and follow us on social media using #SFJuneteenthParade2025.
Parade Information & Know Before you Go
What are the expectations along the parade route? Can lawn chairs or other seating be set up along Market Street?
Lawn chairs and/or folding chairs can be setup along the parade route.
Should parade attendees proceed to specific areas to watch the parade? Or are they welcome to watch from any spot along Market, from Market and Spear to Market and 8th?
Attendees are welcome to watch from any spot along Market, but specific locations can be reserved for community groups as well. If you are interested, please reach out to info.burgesllc@gmail.com
Are there any items parade attendees should not bring? Will there be bag checks or other safety checks along the parade route, as seen at other large scale events?
As with other large-scale events, there will be both private security and police presence along the route. While we cannot prohibit items on public streets, it is strongly encouraged to leave large bags and wheeled devices at home (scooters, one-wheels, skateboards, etc).
Contact:
Tamara Walker
Livable City
info.burgesllc@gmail.com
