Cultural Events and Celebrations
As part of its celebration of local diversity, Redwood City recognizes a variety of cultural events and awareness days.
Juneteenth: A Historical Perspective and Conversation
- Date: 06/18/2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Location: Downtown Library
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, California 94063
Join Bay Area poet Lois Fried for an evening combining history and poetry to explore the legacy, traditions, and future of this important national holiday. Join us for a conversation about current experiences and connections to Juneteenth. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a mini poetry workshop and create their own historical poem.
Juneteenth is a Freedom Day celebration with a long history among Black Texans and their family members who have migrated across the country. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the date when Major General Gordon Granger and his troops landed in Galveston, TX, with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free--two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Join Bay Area poet Lois Fried for an evening combining history and poetry to explore the legacy, traditions, and future of this important national holiday.
Lois Fried is a local poet who loves being in the company of other inspiring poets. She currently serves on the San Mateo County Arts Commission for District 2. She holds the position of Literacy ARts Assitant for th eSan Mateo Fair for 2025-2026. Lois is a regular open mic reader of the Belmont California Library Poetry Group, and Poetry Nights Online (formerly, Cafe Zoe Open Mic, Menlo Park) and has served as a judge for Youth Poetry Contest in San Mateo County.
So Great the Journey is her first book of poetry, published in 2023, and will be available for purchase for $15.99. Lois lives with her family in Foster City.
Sponsored by Friends of the Redwood City Public Library
More Information:
Contact: Heriberto Madrigal
Phone: (650)780-7043
Email: hmadrigal@redwoodcity.org
Below is a list of the cultural days and months Redwood City recognizes annually. The list is not exhaustive; a range of other cultural celebrations and acknowledgements take place every year in Redwood City.
| January |
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
| February |
Black History Month
|
890 Jefferson Ave. (Formerly Cost Plus World Market) |
Lunar New Year
World Day of Social Justice
| March |
Women’s History Month
International Transgender Day of Visibility
| April |
National Arab American Heritage Month
| May |
Mental Health Awareness Month
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
| June |
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- Proclamation
- Resources: Celebrate Pride, LGBTQ+ History Month
Juneteenth
| July |
Disability Pride Month, National Disability Independence Day
| August |
International Youth Day
- Proclamation
- Resources: International Youth Day reads
Senior Citizens Day
- Proclamation
- Resources: Senior Citizens Day reads
| September |
National Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15)
Welcoming Week
- Proclamation
- Programs
- Resources: Welcoming Week Reads
| October |
Filipino American History Month
- Proclamation
- Resources: Filipino American History Month
Indigenous People’s Day (second Monday in October)
National Coming Out Day
- Resources: National Coming Out Day, LGBTQ+ History Month
United Against Hate Week
| November |
National Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
Día de los Muertos
- Resources: Dia de los Muertos (para Ninos)
Veterans’ Day
- Proclamation
- Resources: Veterans Day Reads, Veterans Connect
| December |
Universal Human Rights Month
- Resources: Universal Human Rights Month reading list
Chanukah
- Resources: Chanukah reading list