Black History Month Activity Guide

Celebrate Black History Month at one of the many exhibits, concerts, and workshops happening around the city.

Feraba African Rhythm Tap Duet at Brooklyn Public Library
February 14
1-2pm

The Feraba Ensemble. Photo via feraba.com

Come see the Feraba dance ensemble, which performs dances, rhythms, and songs from Guinea in addition to American tap dance. At this interactive performance, the audience will learn how American tap dance is rooted African music and dance. African “shakers” and small drums will be provided to kids and their families. Free, 1-2pm. Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, bklynlibrary.org

Celebrate Black History Month–George Washington Carver Workshop at the Queens Botanical Garden
February 17
1:30-3pm

Learn about George Washington Carver’s important contributions to the world of botany at this hands-on workshop. Discover his achievements in botany, agriculture, botanical illustration, medicine, and more. Paint with plants and plant a peanut to take home! Registration required. $5 per person, 1:30-3pm. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, Queens, queensbotanical.org

Makers Making History: A Black History Month Celebration at CMOM
February 14-22
Various times

Join the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for a week-long festival featuring contemporary artists and performers in celebration of the African-American community’s contribution to the arts. Activities include memorial design with Harlem historian John Reddick and caxixi rattle building with Kevin Nathaniel, a world music pioneer and instrument craftsman. Free with museum admission, 10am-5pm except on Saturdays, 10am-7pm. The Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, cmom.org

Apollo Theater Open House
February 21
12-5pm

The Apollo Theater is hosting a free afternoon of community programming in celebration of Black History Month. Visitors can explore the theater and stand on the stage where musical legends have launched their careers, hear true stories about the Apollo, the Tree of Hope, and Harlem told by members from the Storytelling Center of New York, enjoy live music, and participate in a family storytelling workshop with the Pickney Players (suggested for ages 6 and up). Free, 12-5pm. The Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street, apolloeducation.org

the-migration-rachel-griffiths-american-lg — A photograph from “The Migration” at Arsenal Gallery. Photo via nycgovparks.com

See “The Migration” at the Arsenal Gallery
Through February 24
Various times

Visit Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery for an exhibit focused on artistic depictions of “The Great Migration”–the historical period when roughly six million African American descendants of the antebellum South left for northern and western cities. 22 artists share their interpretations of this demographic shift and its impact. Free, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Arsenal Gallery, Central Park at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, nycgovparks.com

Black History Month Festival at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Through February 28
Various times

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is celebrating Black History Month with a variety activities throughout the month as well as of musical performances. On February 7, see Janice Marie Robinson’s Melodic Magic perform an interactive, soulful concert. On February 19, join the museum for a sing-a-long featuring cherished songs from the African-American spiritual tradition. Grace Drums will perform an African and Caribbean-inspired show on February 21, and the Phantazia String Players will give a Black History Month-themed performance on February 28. Free with museum admission, various times. 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, brooklynkids.org

Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum
Through February 28
Various times

Did you know that Louis Armstrong and his wife settled in Corona, Queens, in 1943 and lived there for the remainder for their lives? At the Louis Armstrong House Museum, visitors can tour the jazz legend’s longtime home and hear audio clips of his homemade recordings, see an exhibit on his life and legacy, and visit the Armstrongs’ Japanese-inspired garden. In honor of Black History Month, during February the museum will explore how Armstrong’s music influenced world music and the Civil Rights movement. While supplies last, visitors will receive a complimentary limited edition Jack Bradley print of Armstrong. Adults $10, Children $7, Children under 4 free; Tuesday-Friday: 10 am-5 pm, Saturday-Sunday: 12 pm-5 pm. 34-56 107th Street, Corona, Queens, louisarmstronghouse.org

“Freedom Journey 1965: Photos of the Selma to Montgomery March” at the New-York Historical Society
Through April 19
Various times

Come see Stephen Somerstein’s photographs documenting the January 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Civil Rights March. Somerstein joined marchers to gain an inside look at the movement, and gained access to figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, James Baldwin, and Bayard Rustin. Free with museum admission, Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm. 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street), nyhistory.org

Yuletide Factory

Fill your hearts with circus cheer&mdash;the merry daredevils of Cirque Mechanics (Zephyr, 2023) are back with an industrial-strength spectacular for you and your kin. Sparkling with holiday spirit, the ever energetic ensemble of acrobats transforms a drab assembly plant into a holly jolly Yuletide Factory! From the wonder of the German wheel to festive flips from the trampoline wall, they dash and dance through a pageant of powerhouse stunts with grins and goodwill. It&rsquo;s high-flying fun, comfort and joy for the whole family!

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® New York Resort

Monstrous Family fun returns with Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND&reg; New York Resort! &nbsp; The signature children&rsquo;s Halloween event kicks off October 3rd&nbsp;when the Park transforms into a bewitching party filled with candy, seasonal shows, and Halloween themed LEGO characters. The event runs on all operating dates in October, with all festivities included in general admission. Meet LEGO Monster characters like Spider Lady and Wacky Witch and make your way to the treat stations around the Park. Don&rsquo;t forget your costumes! &nbsp; New for 2024: Monster Party Nights at LEGOLAND New York Hotel! Book a Brick-or-Treat overnight package in October to enjoy extra sweet Halloween-themed fun after a day in the Park. Hotel guests will have the opportunity to eat breakfast with a Monster, participate in themed crafts and LEGO builds, rock out at the Monster Dance Party each night, and more! &nbsp; AWESOME AWAITS at LEGOLAND&reg; New York Resort, the ultimate LEGO&reg; theme park destination, for kids ages two through twelve and their families. Ride, climb, and build your way through seven LEGO themed lands. &nbsp;

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;