Lake Merritt’s Massive Unofficial 2026 Juneteenth Block Party (Oakland)

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Lake Merritt’s Massive Unofficial Juneteenth Block Party Returns

On Juneteenth 2026, Lake Merritt is expected to be one of Oakland’s biggest gathering spots, even though there isn’t one single official city-run festival at the lake. The city is actually closing roads around much of Lake Merritt because it expects very large crowds throughout the day

There’s no single organizer or ticketed event, but expect a giant outdoor block party vibe with music, food vendors, cookouts, dancing, community groups, and plenty of people soaking up the holiday around the lake

To help deal with the crowds, the City of Oakland will close portions of Lakeshore Avenue, Grand Avenue, and El Embarcadero to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., creating more room for pedestrians, cyclists, and the many visitors expected throughout the day.

If you’re planning to check it out, Oakland recommends taking BART, AC Transit, rideshare, or biking in, since traffic and parking around the lake can get packed fast.

Looking for something more “official?” – OMCA hosts a special ticketed Juneteenth event from 11a-4pm for $10 with all inclusive festival and gallery access.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.