The 5th annual Black Joy Parade

The 5th annual Black Joy Parade is here!

Join us for the largest free, family-friendly event of its kind in California. A parade and festival to celebrate the Black experience past, present and future. We invite you to come be present, be creative, be open and be free.

It’s our 5th year as a volunteer-run organization and movement which means Sunday, February 27, 2022 will be a bold celebration of the community and culture we’ve all created together.

If you’ve been to The Black Joy Parade before then you already know! It’s time to show up and show out for us, by us. If this is your first time, then get ready to see, hear and feel more Black joy than you ever imagined.

The parade begins on 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, Ca at 12:30pm PST. Following the parade, The Black Joy Parade celebration will be held on 19th and Broadway and feature a curation of 200+ local artists, craftsmen, food vendors, performances and more.

Admissions are free for all so bring your friends and family! If you’re able, please donate ahead of time to support the movement. Black Joy Parade is volunteer-run org and a registered 501c3. All donations go to support local artists and production of the event.

To be in the parade, become a vendor, volunteer or inquire about partnerships please visit www.BlackJoyParade.org.

Thank you to our partners at Hennessy for helping us make The Black Joy Parade possible.

BLACK JOY PARADE. Be the Movement.

FAQ:

When and where is the 5th Annual Black Joy Parade? The 5th annual Black Joy Parade is on Sunday, February 27, 2022. The parade begins promptly at 12:30pm and lasts approximately an hour and a half. The festival begins at 12pm and ends at 7pm. The parade begins on 14th and Broadway in Downtown Oakland, California. The main entrance into the festival is 20th and Broadway Streets.

Coming from out of town? Check out hotel deals at Check out hotels deals from Visit Oakland here.

How much does it cost to attend the Black Joy Parade? The Black Joy Parade is free for the public. Yes, that’s right - free! So bring the whole fam to see, hear and feel the joy. The Black Joy Parade team works hard to ensure the experience is as inclusive as possible so that nobody is denied the chance to experience Black joy. If you’re interested in helping to ensure that the experience remains free for years to come, please consider donating here.

Who can attend the Black Joy Parade? Everyone is welcome to the Black Joy Parade so long as it is clear that they are coming to celebrate the Black experience. This includes members of the Black community, as well as true allies of different races and ethnicities. There will be absolutely zero tolerance for any prejudice, hate, cruelty or otherwise harmful behavior to others at the Black Joy Parade.

Can corporations be a part of the Black Joy Parade? Yes. Black Joy Parade is a community run organization and counts on the support participation of companies to thrive. To participate in the Black joy Parade as a corporation or company, please email joinus@blackjoyparade.org to learn more about sponsorship and partnerships opportunities.

Will there be parking at the Black Joy Parade? There is very limited parking in downtown Oakland. We strongly recommend taking BART to either 12th St City Center or 19th St station, both of which are walking distance to the parade route and celebration site. Learn what to expect when riding BART here. Then plan your trip and find fares by using BART’s online Trip Planner.

If you are arriving by Amtrak to Jack London Square, it is an 18min walk to the start of the parade, or you can catch the free Broadway shuttle which picks up at 2nd and Webster and drops you off on 12th and Broadway.

If you are being dropped off, please put your drop off location as 21st and Harrison which will leave you just one block from the celebration site.

If you MUST drive, please be aware that there is very limited parking as many public lots are closed for the weekend.

What do I wear? The Black Joy Parade motto is Be The Movement! We encourage you to wear whatever brings you the most joy. While there is no dress code, please keep in mind that this is a family-friendly event that lasts all day. We recommend bringing a layer or two for the evening once the sun sets. If you forget - no worry! We’ve got you covered with our official Black Joy Parade sweatshirts which can be purchased at the merch booth within the celebration site.

Will there be refreshments at the Black Joy parade? Yes of course! We’re not about to have our people out here thirsty. We have 3 bars where you can purchase both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There will also be a variety of Black-owned food vendors to purchase from.

Will there be restrooms at the Black Joy parade? Yes, portable restrooms will be provided for attendees' use.

How can I be a part of the Black Joy Parade? In addition to attending, there are many ways to be a part of the joy including becoming a volunteer, vendor, sponsor, or parade contingent. To learn more about each of these opportunities please visit blackjoyparade.org and click on the appropriate link.

What about COVID?! We are following all County and State Department of Public Health COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and Protocols. We highly recommend that all participants and attendees wear a mask throughout the day and are fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the event.