BLACK JOY PARADE 2026
EVENTS
Celebrate with us all month long! Check the schedule below for upcoming events.
2026 EVENTS
FEB 21
SATURDAY, FEB 21
12:00PM - 5:00 PM
THE R&B BRUNCH
CELEBRATING BLACK JOY
Good VBZ brings Brunch VBZ, an R&B brunch day party celebrating Black joy, music, and community during Black Joy Parade Weekend in Oakland. Join us at Fluid510 on Saturday, February 21 12:00 PM–5:00 PM Featuring DJ H HOLLA, this experience blends good music, good people, and Good VBZ.
General Admission tickets and group table packages are available.
FEB 21
SATURDAY, FEB 21
3:00PM - 6:00 PM
SOOO CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL & GUMBO CONTEST
In honor of Black History Month, we’re gathering in the heart of our community for a day of joy and culinary excellence. Whether you’re a chocoholic or a gumbo aficionado, come celebrate the vibrant spirit and rich flavors that define our history. Sample the best local recipes, cheer on your favorite chefs in the gumbo competition, and satisfy your cravings for chocolate and community.
FEB 21
SATURDAY, FEB 21
2:00PM - 7:00 PM
BLACK PLANTER PARTY
The Black Planter Party is a community celebration of plants, culture, and connection during Black History Month. Join us for 1000 free plants, Black owned businesses, and good vibes in Oakland, CA.
FEB 22
SUNDAY, FEB 22
12:30PM - 7:00 PM
BLACK JOY PARADE
The largest event of its kind in downtown Oakland. Come for the parade, performances, vendors, activations, and more!
Admissions are free
Join thousands of people to celebrate Black joy, fuel Black business, community, art, music, and more.
Plus, don’t miss out on our headliner, Mýa!
Grammy Award–winning multi-hyphenate Mýa is a globally recognized R&B icon known for her chart-topping hits, electrifying performances, and two decades of independent artistry.
FEB 22
SUNDAY, FEB 22
9:00PM - 2:00 AM
SHAKE BODY:
AN OFFICIAL BLACK JOY PARADE AFTER PARTY
BY UTA
We have a lineup of amazing after parties for you to choose from.
Join us Sunday night for Shake Body: An Official Black Joy Parade After Party, a Black History Month celebration powered by United Tribes of Africa (UTA).
This event is designed as a bridge—bringing together the broader Black Oakland community with global Black sounds in an environment that feels welcoming, energetic, and intentional.
FEB 22
SUNDAY, FEB 22
8:00PM - 11:00 PM
NOIRÉ SINGLES PRESENTS
AN AFTERPARTY:
SINGLES EDITION
We have a lineup of amazing after parties for you to choose from.
This event serves as an easy, natural post-parade destination for attendees looking to continue the celebration in a relaxed, social setting to mingle with young black singles of the bay.
FEB 22
SUNDAY, FEB 22
7:00PM - 1:00 AM
An Official After Party Powered by Toasted Life
The Black Joy Parade is around the corner and Toasted Life will be hosting the Official After Party!
After the Black Joy Parade shuts the streets down of Oakland, we’re taking the celebration straight to Cry Baby for an Official after party powered by Toasted Life.
Thousands in the city, one place to close the night out.
Music loud, joy heavy, community all the way live.
PAST EVENTS
FEB 5
THURSDAY, FEB 5
5:00PM - 10:00PM
DOWNTOWN FIRST THURSDAYS
From Harlem to the Bay: special guest @Austinmillz spins a free set for you on Thursday, Feb. 5th at Downtown First Thursdays in SF. It's a Howard Stage takeover presented by @blackjoyparade and @oakhella!
Celebrate Black joy, kick off the #BigGameWeekend, and turn the streets into a dance floor with us.
FEB 9
MONDAY, FEB 9
6:00PM
SECOND MONDAYS with GOLD BEAMS & BLACK JOY PARADE
Second Mondays is a multi-disciplinary open mic for Black people to share and enjoy incredible art. The stage welcomes comedy, poetry, singing, rapping, instrumentalists, and more!
Each year, Gold Beams partners with Black Joy Parade to bring you a special edition of the Second Mondays Open Mic. The winner gets to perform on the Black Joy Parade stage!
FEB 10 - FEB 15
FRIDAY, FEB 10 - 15TH
VARIOUS TIMES
BLACK COMEDY FESTIVAL TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER
The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival (BABCCF) is the largest, longest-running showcase of comedians of color on the planet. Presenting over 60 hilarious stand-ups from all across the US and internationally, the BABCCF is the world’s premiere urban comedy festival. It is the precursor to groundbreaking TV shows like HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and BET’s Comic View and the inspiration for many of today’s popular TV talent competition shows.
FEB 15
FRIDAY, FEB 15TH
1:00 - 2:30PM
Spotlight Sundays: Total Praise—The Black Joy Parade’s Choir
OMCA is honored to welcome guests to join the Black Joy Parade team for a thoughtful exploration of how Black gathering serves as a part of resistance and celebration, and why the Black Joy Choir reflects the mission of the organization — to cultivate community and safe spaces. The afternoon opens with a soul-stirring performance by the acclaimed Black Joy Choir, followed by a screening of the ABC segment profiling The Black Joy Choir featured in the 30-minute special “Celebrating Black Joy.”
FEB 19
THURSDAY, FEB 19
6:00PM - 10:00 PM
BEYOND THE YARD
D9 ALUMNI MIXER
Introducing Beyond The Yard: Alumni Mixer, a curated experience to reconnect, vibe, and build community as we get ready for a great evening full of Black Joy before the parade.
Special invite to members of the Divine Nine.