Celebrate Black History Month During All of February at These Events Near You

Every February, we celebrate Black History Month to mark the achievements of Black Americans who have shaped American history and culture. Started by Harvard-educated historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month was first observed in 1926, and the tradition continues to this day.

This year, Black History Month takes on an added significance as 2020 also marks the 150-year anniversary of the Fifteenth Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote, as well as the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women suffrage.

February offers many ways to show your appreciation for African-American culture, so we created a list of Black History Month events near you that everyone in your family can enjoy.

From music to historic tours, to parties and movie screenings, keep reading to find out where you can celebrate Black History all month.

If you find yourself in New York this February, head uptown to the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance. The Shomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is putting on multiple events, one of which celebrates the 119th birthday of poet Langston Hughes. You can enjoy the Center's multiple exhibitions while dancing the evening away to tunes by DJ Hard Hittin Harry (formerly of The Fugees).

For those of you would prefer to enjoy more of the city itself, Taste Harlem offers food and cultural tours of the historic and celebrated uptown neighborhood. You will get to see Harlem's unique architecture, including residential homes, and religious structures, while getting a taste of local soul food, Caribbean and African cuisines.

And if you're looking to cut loose, get boozy, and learn a little history, head downtown to Caveat on the Lower East Side, which is hosting Drunk Black History: a hilarious and educational event in which, like the Comedy Central show, many people will get drunk and proceed to tell stories from Black history.

If you’re wondering what Chicago has to offer for Black History Month celebrations, start February off with a Black History Month Celebration of Jazz at the University of Chicago International House. Led by Dee Alexander, one of Chicago’s most gifted and respected vocalists, the night will be packed with jazz classics, swing hits and soulful ballads. 

One of the country’s most renowned comedy troupes, Second City pulls from iconic archival work by famous alum like Keegan-Michael Key, Amber Ruffin, and Edgar Blackmom for its Black History Month showcase. Performed by some of the company’s newest rising stars, this promises to be a hilarious night that showcases the incredible talent and history of African American performers at Second City.

Chicago Black Restaurant Week will also celebrate the city’s black-owned businesses and eateries, showcasing restaurants like Surf’s Up South Shore, Windy City Ribs, Urban Grill, The Bureau Bar and Restaurant, and more.

For a full day of fun and celebrations, head over to watch the Annual Black History Parade in Pasadena, one of the largest Black History parades in Southern California. Following the parade, the Black History Festival will continue with live entertainment, food, displays, fun activities for the kids, and much more.

Across the way in Hollywood, the Hudson Backstage Theater is putting on a stage production of Pulitzer and Nobel-prize winning author Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. This powerful adaptation will celebrate the legendary author who died only last year, as well as the 50th anniversary of the publication of the work.

For the foodies, Hemings and Hercules is a seasonal dinner that celebrates the country’s first two celebrity chefs, both slaves, who went on to influence generations of future American chefs. The eight-course dinner uses early American cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients, and you can also opt for a beverage pairing.

As the fourth largest Black-majority city in America, Atlanta is a center for Black culture, music, history, wealth, and power. Although this year’s Black History Month Parade has been canceled, there’s still plenty to do in the ATL to learn about and celebrate Black History. 

A new exhibit at the APEX Museum takes a look at the notable Black inventors of America and their many contributions. The APEX Museum, which stands for the African-American Panoramic Experience, re-examines the untold histories of the African-American people through their own perspective, and highlights the stories of early African-American pioneers in Atalanta.

Be sure to check out the legendary Paschal’s Restaurant known for specials like their signature fried chicken, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, collard greens and cornbread. Paschal’s is a fixture in Black history and served as an unofficial meeting place for Civil Rights leaders back in the 1960s.

Imagine figures like Dr. King, Stokely Carmichael, Fannie Lou Hamer and their many other cohorts strategizing their next moves as they chowed down on the restaurant’s specials, which haven’t changed all that much today.

Finally, enjoy some of the historic eateries Atlanta has to offer like the Sweet Auburn Curb Market (locals just call it the Curb Market), where you can sample the tasty wares of over 30 local vendors selling fresh produce, soul food, Caribbean food, and much more. 

Happy Black History Month!