Black History Month Events 2024 in New York City and Nearby
February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, take the time to celebrate the accomplishments and sacrifices of Black Americans that have helped shape our world today. We’ve rounded up this list of family-friendly events all over New York to help you celebrate all month long!
Click on your preferred region to jump down to that section:
Psst… Here are 12 Books About Black History for All Ages!
Manhattan
Harlem Renaissance: A Celebration of Black Artistry
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side
Feb. 1-29, see website for complete schedule
All ages
$16.75
Visit the CMOM throughout the month for activities inspired by Louis Armstrong, Zelda Wynn Valdes, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.
Museum of Ice Cream Honors Black History Month
Museum of Ice Cream NYC, 558 Broadway, SoHo
Feb. 1-29, Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 10 am-7 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, 10 am-8:30 pm
All ages
Tickets start at $25
On a mission to unite and inspire through imagination, connection and unlimited ice cream, Museum of Ice Cream will honor Black History Month with an exciting collaboration with Mikey Likes It Ice Cream, a pop-cultured inspired ice cream shop with three extraordinary and exclusive ice cream flavors: Truffle Shuffle, Pink Floyd, and Eat To Heal.
Civil Rights Children’s Crusade with Schroeder Cherry and His Puppets
City Lore, 56 E 1st St., East Village
Saturday, Feb. 10, 12 pm
Age 9 and older
Free
This interactive family friendly puppet show by exhibiting artist and puppeteer Schroeder Cherry is part of “The Calling: The Transformative Power of African American Doll and Puppet Making.”
A young boy discovers that his strict grandfather went to jail as a child. What was that about? This performance is narrated by a rod puppet who uses wooden cutouts to tell what he learns about the 1963 Civil Rights Children’s Crusade.
Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation The Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival
Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street, Lower East Side
Feb. 12-18, see website for complete schedule
Ages 3 and older
$30.05-$41.61
Celebrate Black History Month with The Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival featuring 16 performances from Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, Asase Yaa Theater Company, Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, Ife Youth Dance Theater, and Arkestra Africa.
Living History: Black Oystermen in 18th-Century New York
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W, Upper West Side
Sunday, Feb. 18, 1 – 3 pm
All ages
Included with admission: $6-$24
In the late 18th and early 19th century, oysters were the most popular street food of New York City.
Helping to supply these oysters were Black oystermen who made up half of all the oystermen in the city. Join historical interpreters in learning about the experiences of these men and how they provided millions of oysters to the city each year.
Global Architecture: Mosques
The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City
Saturday, Feb. 24, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ages 5 and older
Free
Advanced registration required
Mosques are places of worship for Muslims around the world. Their interiors often feature beautiful domes and intricate patterned designs inspired by repeating geometric shapes.
Learn more about the features of Islamic architecture and designs that migrated from the mosque, even into skyscrapers. This year, in celebration of Black History Month, take a closer look at mosques from the North African region then design your own patterned tiles.
Bronx
Family Art Project: Digging into the Science of George Washington Carver
Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave., Riverdale
Feb. 3-4, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 1 pm
All ages
Included with admission: $10; $6 students & seniors 65+; $4 children 6–18; free for children younger than 6 and members
Despite the challenges that black scientists faced over 100 years ago, George Washington Carver was successful in discovering how to improve soil quality. Find out how soil affects the food we eat by making colorful still-life creations, using dirt as paint and then decorating them with dried beans.
Family Storytime: Black History Month with Art/STEAM
Westchester Square Library, 2521 Glebe Avenue, Pelham Bay
Saturday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 24, 2 – 3 pm.
WHERE: AGES: 8 and under
Ages 0-8
Free
Learn early literacy skills, valuable lessons, history, and share some great times with friends from the neighborhood.
An interactive program with caregiver and child where you will listen to stories, sing songs and work on fingerplays. Additionally, there will be some art and STEAM related activities to celebrate Black History.
Black History Inspired Karaoke
Woodstock Library, 761 East 160th Street, Morrisania
Monday, Feb. 5, 3 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate the richness of Black history with a special karaoke program designed for kids. Enjoy a musical journey featuring songs by talented Black artists and tunes that highlight the beauty of diversity.
It’s a joyful and educational experience where children can sing, dance, and learn about the cultural contributions that have shaped the world. Let the power of music inspire young hearts during this Black History Inspired Karaoke celebration!
Kids STEAM: Black History Edition
Clason’s Point Library, 1215 Morrison Ave, Soundview Bruckner
Feb. 9, 16, 27, 3 – 4 pm.
Ages 5-12
Free
Join staff from the Clason’s Point library for an exciting, hands-on program dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math with activities based on the achievements of famous African-Americans.
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt
Morrisania Library, 610 East 169th Street, Morrisania
Thursday, Feb. 22, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
All ages
Free
Go on a scavenger hunt inspired by Black History Month.
Brooklyn
Black History Month Movie
DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Ave., Bushwick
Feb. 2-23, Fridays, 3 – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Join the Library for an afternoon movie in celebration of Black History Month every Friday in February.
Brooklyn DA Celebrates Black History Month
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Prospect Heights
Saturday, Feb. 3, 6 – 9 pm
All ages
Free
Advanced registration required
Commemorate Black History Month at Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturday program with a dialogue on how art reflects history and social justice.
Black Future Festival: We Da People
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
Feb. 18-25, Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
All ages
$15; free for members
Join the museum for a week of reflection and future-forward fun inspired by the national celebration of the African Diaspora and Black History Month. With guest curator, Kendra J. Bostock and STooPS, there will be workshops, dance performances, storytelling, and more.
Jack and Friends Black History Month Series: Lavender Blues
Park Slope Library, 431 6th Ave., Park Slope
Wednesdays, Feb. 21, 4 – 4:45 pm and Feb. 28, 1 – 1:45 pm.
Ages 3 and younger
Free
Advanced registration required
This high energy performance for babies and toddlers includes songs from Lavender Blues REMIXED to a new cadence and bonus beat! Plus, new tracks from Lady B’s follow up album, the REMIXES volume 2. Sing, dance and play with Lavender Blues!
The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays the Music of Prince and More for Kids Black History Month Celebration
Sunday, Feb. 25, 12 – 1 pm
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
Ages 10 and younger
$16
Let’s Go Crazy with the music of Prince and more. Raspberry Beret optional.
Queens
Concert for College
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 – 10 pm
All ages
$25
In celebration of Black History Month, the NYC Kids RISE the 2024 Concert for College will bring together faith, business, and community leaders and organizations, government and elected officials, school communities, and neighborhood residents to support the college and career futures of their children in a music-filled night of joy.
Celebrating Black History and Music in America
The Church In The Gardens, The Church InThe Gardens 50 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills
Saturday, Feb. 10, 4 – 5 pm
All ages
Donation
Learn about the musical gems of the jazz, opera and African American Spiritual genres, tracing the rich tradition of black music, art and culture in America.
Meet some of the artists who will be performing that evening and learn about how their experiences, particularly as African American musicians growing up in the United States, shaped their lives and careers as adults in the arts and music industry.
Black History Month: Hip Hop Art With D. Cross
Queens Public Library at Ridgewood, 20-12 Madison Street, Ridgewood
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 6-11
Free
Join multidisciplinary artist and hip hop ambassador D. Cross for this workshop about graffiti and hip hop art. Cross will offer a brief history of hip hop art and some amazing demonstrations of different graffiti styles and techniques!
Hands-on History: Black History & Literature Book Giveaway!
King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica
Saturday, Feb. 17, 1 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
King Manor Museum has dozens of books dedicated to Black history and literature to give away covering topics such as self-love, The Great Migration, the lives of Civil Rights activists, grade school history, and adolescence.
You will also design your own miniature legal gavels in honor of the first Black American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson.
A Weekend of West African Dance: Black History Month Presentation
Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica
Feb. 23-24, Friday and Saturday, 8 – 9 pm.
All ages
$20-$30
Enjoy a vibrant celebration of West African dance and culture as part of Black History Month festivities that promises to be a weekend filled with rhythm, energy, and joy. Get your tickets for an explosive performance by Kofago Dance Ensemble and FANIKE! African Dance Troupe!
Staten Island
Black History Month: Abstract Painting
West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave., West Brighton
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Ages 13-18
Free
Celebrate painter, Alma Thomas, in honor of Black History Month. Explore her art works and create abstract paintings of your own.
Black History Month: Audre Lorde
Silver Lake Park, Victory Blvd., Clove Rd., Forest Ave., Silver Lake
Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 am – 12 pm
All ages
Free
Join the Audre Lorde Walk at Silver Lake Park to honor the famous poet and draw inspiration from your surroundings as you practice creating your own poetry.
Black History Month: Painting with Soul
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Silver Lake
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2 pm – 5 pm
All ages
Free
Registration is requested
Celebrate Black history with the Staten Island Community Alliance, and enjoy a drum circle by Greg Taylor and painting with soul, a self-guided paint project.
Jukebox Jam with Walter Rutledge
Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr., Silver Lake
Feb. 18, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm.
Included with $8 admission.
Celebrate Black History Month with choreographer and dancer Walter Rutledge. This Jukebox Jam workshop takes visitors on a journey through the music and dances of iconic African American artists.
Shake and move through the hits of the 40s to the present, honoring the discographies of Duke Ellington, Billy Holiday, Chubby Checker, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé.
Guess Who! Notable People in Black History
West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., West Brighton
Wednesday, Febr. 21, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 6 -10 years old
Free
Join Ms. Cherryl for a fun Black History puzzle and guess who quiz while identifying and learning about people who made significant contributions to society.
Kids Week: Sandy Ground History
Parking Lot – Bricktown Way Entrance at Fairview Park, Englewood Ave., W. Shore Expwy., Veterans Rd. W., Rossville
Thursday, Feb. 22, 11 am – 12 pm
All ages
Free
Celebrate Black History Month by learning about the oldest freed black settlement in New York City. Participants will walk the trails of Sandy Ground Woods, and then create a strawberry and oyster themed craft.
Long Island
Art Inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat
John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main St., Sag Harbor
Friday, Feb. 2, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 5-11
Free
Celebrate Black History Month by getting creative and making your own artwork inspired by that of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Black History Month: Science Pioneers Family Program
Nissequogue River State Park, 799 St Johnland Road, Kings Park
Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 – 11:30 am
Ages 6 and older
$4
Advanced registration required
Foundations of modern science are known thanks to the contributions of Black Scientists. See exciting science experiments relating to their discoveries!
Black History Month: Self-Guided Hike
Sunken Meadow State Park, 25A and Sunken Meadow Pkwy, Kings Park
Feb. 4, 10 am – 5 pm
All ages
10 stations along this hike feature a Black environmentalist and their contributions to science. Stop by the Nature Center for a map of the self-guided trail! Reservations taken online.
Art in the Barn, Storytime and Hands-on Art Project for Preschoolers
Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station
Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 am
Ages 3 – 4
$15; $10 members
This drop-in workshop will take a look at Royal Art of Benin from Metropolitan Museum of Art, with a reading of the 2011 Caldecott winner: “Dave the Potter Artist, Poet, Slave” by Laban C. Hill and Bryan Collier and draw and work with clay.
AdvoKids: Black History Month
Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City
Sunday, Feb. 4, 11 am – 1 pm
Ages 4 and older
Free with admission: $17
Learn how this annual observance of Black History Month began and understand the importance of why it is celebrated. Visitors will learn about impactful Black artists such as sculptor Edmonia Lewis, and then create a mini sculpture.
Black History Craft and Chat
The Hampton Library, 2478 Main Street, Bridgehampton
Monday, Feb. 5, 4 – 5:30 pm
Ages 11 and older
Free
Celebrate Black History Month with a light craft and short movie.
From Sea Chanteys to Hip Hop
The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor
Thursday, Feb. 22, 12 – 1 pm
Ages 5 and older
$6-$8 Admission + $10 participant $5 Members
Celebrate the remarkable contributions made by African American whalers to the music sailors sang at sea! Explore the rich traditions of West African music found in sea chanteys, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Create your own sistrum – a traditional rattle using shells.
