Updated for 2024
February is recognized as Black History Month, and here in Los Angeles, there are many ways to celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans in the United States.
Celebrating the heritage and achievements of Black Americans is something that doesn’t need to be limited to just one month, especially here in Los Angeles. This year, some events are happening online and some are in person.
40+ Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
Happening Throughout February
Black History Month
Multiple LA County Parks
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is celebrating Black History Month throughout February. The special events are a way of celebrating the “contributions of African Americans to this nation as well as honoring and acknowledging the key figures and movements, their triumphs, as well as the current, continued struggles of the Black community in our nation.” Multiple events are planned including arts and crafts, live performances, food tastings, and more. Details are available online.
Celebrate African American History Month – LAPL Online
The Los Angeles Public Library system has a large number of resources available online to commemorate and celebrate African American History Month. You’ll find books (both fiction and nonfiction), photos, podcasts, and more. Also, be sure to check the website for more information (as it becomes available) about events happening at different branches
California African American Museum (CAAM)
Exposition Park
600 State Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037
The California African American Museum, located within Exposition Park, is “the first African American museum of art, history, and culture fully supported by a state.” The Museum’s permanent collection consists of 5,000 items including “landscape painting and portraiture, modern and contemporary art, historical objects and print materials, and mixed-media artworks.” The Museum hosts a number of special events and programs throughout the year, including many family-friendly programs. (Currently, CAAM remains closed for storm-related repairs. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.)
Black Resource Center
A. C. Bilbrew Library
150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90061
The Black Resource Center (BRC) is a special service of the LA County Library System. It’s mission is to support “research and study on social, historical and cultural aspects unique to the African American experience.” The BRC offers special programs, community outreach, in-depth reference service to researchers and the general public, and more. In addition, the LA County Library System hosts special activities to celebrate Black History Month. Check the website for more information (as it becomes available) regarding related activities and events.
Celebrate African American and Black History Month – LA County Library Online
The Los Angeles County Library system has a number of resources available online to celebrate African American History Month. You’ll find links to music, videos, and virtual author talks, as well as several book lists for readers of different ages. Also, be sure to check the website for more information about special events happening at different branches.
The Museum of African American Art
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza – Level Two, Suite 283
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008
The Museum of African American Art is one of those hidden treasures, a museum that may not be as well-known as others, but still certainly one worth visiting. Families will have the chance to see Here: Arts & Culture Along the K, a “multimedia art exhibition showcasing the Metro Art K Line art program.” The exhibition will be on view through February 25th, 2024. Families may visit Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Virtual
The website for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a true treasure trove of resources! You’ll find videos you can access of past performances as well as a timeline documenting the history of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. And mark your calendars, because Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be performing at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday, March 20th through Sunday, March 24th, 2024.
National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is an incredible museum to visit. Though you may not be able to plan a visit to Washington, D.C. you can still access the Museum’s website. The Museum has a large number of digital resources available including information and tools on talking about race, online exhibitions, video archives, and much more.
Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit
GRAMMY Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
The GRAMMY Museum is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with their exhibition, Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit. “The 5,000-square foot exhibit delves deep into the multifaceted world of hip-hop through expansive exhibits on hip-hop music, dance, graffiti, fashion, business, activism, and history, providing visitors with an immersive experience that explores the profound impact and influence of hip-hop culture.” The exhibit will be at the Museum through September 4th, 2024. Tickets are available online. (Note – The Museum is closed on Tuesdays.)
Black History Month Reading Challenge
Santa Monica Public Library – Main Branch
601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA
The Santa Monica Public Library System is hosting a Black History Month Reading Challenge from Thursday, February 1st through Thursday, February 29th. “Learn more about Black history and celebrate Black authors and illustrators through reading.” Participants will log reading activities and earn badges and “entry into a book-pack drawing.” The reading challenge is for children 17 and younger.
Black History Celebration
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Pretend City Children’s Museum will be celebrating Black History Month all throughout February. Check the website for more information as it becomes available. Ticket information is available online.
This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement is a special exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center. “See more than 150 photos taken by Movement insiders that reveal the vital work undertaken by a broad coalition of organizers and everyday people whose collective action changed America.” The exhibition “highlights the work of nine photographers primarily affiliated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s.” In addition to the photos, the exhibition also includes audio recordings of the photographers speaking of their time in the Movement, protest music, newspapers, posters, and informational booklets. The exhibition will be on view through Sunday, February 25th, 2024. Tickets are available online.
Kids Take Home Craft: Black History Zines
Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library
2205 W. Florence Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043
Families are invited to visit Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library during the month of February to “pick up a take-home packet to create your own mini magazine about four different heroes from Black History.”
The House Was Too Small: Yoruba Sacred Arts from Africa and Beyond
Fowler Museum at UCLA
308 Charles E. Young Dr. N, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Visit the Fowler Museum to explore The House Was Too Small: Yoruba Sacred Arts from Africa and Beyond exhibition. The exhibition features more than 100 works in a variety of forms, including beadwork, sculpture, and ritual costume design from Nigeria, Benin, Brazil, Cuba, and the United States. The exhibition is on view through June 2nd, 2024.
Sacred Spaces: The Work and Collection of Charles Bibbs
Riverside Art Museum
3245 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Sacred Spaces: The Work and Collection of Charles Bibbs includes “a range of works from Charles Bibbs’ personal art collection as well as the artist’s own original paintings and drawings. Several of Bibb’s iconic works celebrating the Black community are presented” in three of the museum’s galleries. “Through Sacred Spaces, Bibbs’ seeks to not only share this artistic journey but send a message about the power of art in everyday life.” The exhibition will be on view through March 10th, 2024. (The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm. Children 12 and younger receive free admission.)
Black History Month Unity Bracelet
Mark Twain Branch Library
9621 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90003
During the month of February, families can “stop by the information desk to pick up a Unity bracelet take-home craft kit.” Kits will be available throughout February, while supplies last.
Black and White in Black and White: Images of Dignity, Hope, and Diversity in America
Temecula Valley Museum
28314 Mercedes St., Temecula, CA 92590
Take a drive to the Temecula Valley Museum to check out their exhibition, Black and White in Black and White: Images of Dignity, Hope, and Diversity in America. Viewers will see portraits of African Americans in Lincoln, Nebraska during the early part of the 20th Century. The exhibition will be on view from January 12th through March 24th, 2024. (The museum is closed on Mondays.)
98th Annual Black History Month Festival – Virtual Event
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has planned a month-long celebration for Black History Month. The Festival’s theme — African Americans and the Arts — looks at the fields of “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression the African American influence has been paramount.” Details are available online.
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
“Renowned American artist Betye Saar’s large-scale work ‘Driving Toward Twilight’ — recently commissioned by The Huntington — is a site-specific installation that features a 17-foot-long vintage wooden canoe and found objects, including birdcages, antlers, and natural materials harvested by Saar from The Huntington’s grounds.” The exhibition also “showcases Saar’s major status as a pioneer of assemblage art and as part of the foundational generation of Black artists in Los Angeles.” The exhibition will be on view through November 30th, 2025.
Thursdays through Saturdays
The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection
SoFi Stadium
1001 S. Stadium Dr., Inglewood, CA 90301
The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection is “considered one of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind.” The collection “focuses on the lives, and accomplishments from the 16th century through the years of slavery and emancipation to the Civil Rights Movement and modern-day.” Tours are available for The Kinsey Collection and there are tours that include the stadium as well as the collection. Tours are available Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Ticket information is available online.
Friday, February 2nd, 9th, and 23rd
NMAAHC Kids Learning Together – Virtual Event
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is hosting several special Black History Month Virtual Events in February, each highlighting a Black nature lover/explorer. On Friday, February 2nd, the event features Detroit Hives, beekeepers who will “teach children about beekeeping, the importance of pollination and Black bee scientists.” On Friday, February 9th, children will meet diver Dr. Nevada Winrow, founder of Black Girls Dive. On Friday, February 23rd, children will meet climber Brittany Levitt, CEO of Brown Girls Climb. Each webinar also includes a question/answer session, and a Museum Educator leading a related art project. Registration information is available online. (Designed for children 6 and older.)
Friday, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd
Celebrate Black History Month with Black History Mini Docs
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Celebrate Black History Month with a Black History Mini Doc each Friday in February, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. “Explore quick and entertaining videos built to educate viewers about the contributions of Black people in American history.” The short videos highlight iconic figures including Sammy Davis, Jr., Josephine Baker, Diahann Carroll, and Coretta Scott King, to name just a few. These interactive experiences are free with admission. Details and ticket information are available online.
Saturday, February 3rd
44th Annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival
205 W. Center St. Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
Mark your calendars. The 44th Annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival is happening on Saturday, February 3rd. This special event features music, vendors, arts, food, and much more. Morning Blessings begin at 9:00 am, the parade is scheduled for 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, and then the Unity Festival begins at 12:00 pm. Check the website for more details as they become available.
2024 Black History Month Bruce’s Beach Stroll
2600 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
The LA County African American Employees Association (LACAAEA) is hosting a special event at Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan Beach on Saturday, February 3rd from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. The event commemorates National Wear Red Day and American Heart Month, which aim to raise awareness of heart disease being the number one cause of death among Americans. Reserve your spot online.
Sunday, February 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
African American Firefighter Museum
1401 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA
The African American Firefighter Museum (AAFFM) opened in 1997 and is located inside Fire Station No. 30, “one of two segregated firehouses in Los Angeles between 1924 and 1955.” It is recognized as the “only free-standing museum dedicated to African Americans in the fire service in the United States.” 40-minute guided tours are offered, giving families the chance to explore the historic fire station and learn “little-known details about the African American firefighters’ legacy here in Los Angeles.” These free tours are offered on Sundays at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Reserve your tour online.
Tuesday, February 6th – Monday, February 19th
32nd Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival
Multiple Locations including
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008
The 32nd Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival is scheduled for February 6th through February 19th. The PAFF was established in 1992 “to become the international beacon for the Diaspora arts community to showcase ‘our stories’ and preserve the cinematic creativity of Pan-African Culture.” The Festival, which is “the largest Black film and arts festival in the United States,” features artists, craftspeople, and filmmakers from over 40 countries and six continents. All the details, including ticket information, are available online.
Thursday, February 8th, Saturday, February 10th, and Thursday, February 15th
Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush and
Motown Mania! The Golden Hits of the Temptations & the Superstars of Motown! and
NORTH: The Musical
Bank of America Performing Arts Center
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
“Blind Boys of Alabama, winners of five Grammy Awards and recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music” will be performing in Thousand Oaks on Thursday, February 8th at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, February 10th there is a 7:30 pm performance of Motown Mania! The Golden Hits of the Temptations & the Superstars of Motown! “Revisit the classic songs and stars of the Motown era complete with heart-stopping harmonies, dazzling choreography, and the memorable hits you love most from Motown’s golden age.” And on Thursday, February 15th at 7:00 pm there is a performance of NORTH: The Musical. “NORTH follows the journey of a teenage boy named Lawrence and his young mother, Minnie, as they escape the Deep South and travel North through the Underground Railroad, to seek their freedom. NORTH is based on actual accounts of slave escapes.” Details and ticket information are available online.
Through Saturday, February 10th
43rd Annual Black Doll Show
William Grant Still Arts Center (WGSAC)
2520 S. West View St., Los Angeles, CA 90016
The 43rd Annual Black Doll Show is happening now through February 10th, 2024. This year’s show is titled Conjure: Reclaiming African American Traditions Through Hoodoo and Other Spiritual Dolls. The exhibition explores the many ways “dolls, amulets, quilts, charms and other items are used in African-American spiritual traditions.” (Note – The Center is closed on Mondays.)
Black History Month Celebration
Colonel Allensworth State History Park
Plan to take a drive to Colonel Allensworth State History Park for a Black History Month Celebration happening on Saturday, February 10th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to “tour the park’s historic buildings and enjoy live entertainment, music, and food.” (If you’re not already familiar with the history — “Colonel Allen Allensworth, born a slave, rose to prominence as the highest ranking black officer of his time by the time he retired in 1906.” Col. Allensworth created the town as a safe haven for over 300 families of free Blacks. The town had its own school, church, and bank.)
Saturday, February 17th
42nd Annual Black History Parade and Festival
Parade Begins on N. Fair Oaks Ave., Festival at Robinson Park
1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
The 42nd Annual Black History Parade and Festival is happening on Saturday, February 17th. This year’s theme is “Past, Present, and Future,” and is a celebration of the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson. The parade begins at 10:00 am and ends at Robinson Park at 12:00 pm. After the parade, the Black History Festival will continue until 4:00 pm. The Festival features music, food, and cultural celebrations.
Crenshaw Dairy Mart Film Festival
Miracle Theater
226 S. Market St., Inglewood, CA 90301
The Crenshaw Dairy Mart (CDM) is hosting its first one-day film festival at The Miracle Theater on Saturday, February 17th from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. “ ‘For the Love of’ serves as the thematic framework for the festival, providing a diverse range of storytelling opportunities that resonate with the values and experiences of Black and underrepresented communities. The five categories encapsulate growth, love, resilience, and transformation narratives, making for a rich and engaging cinematic experience.” This special event is co-presented by Crenshaw Dairy Mart and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Details are available online.
Choirs at Colburn Celebrate Black History Month
Colburn School – Zipper Hall
200 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
“Choirs at Colburn perform joyous works for voice in celebration of Black History Month.” The performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 17th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are required for this free performance and are available online.
Black History Month Celebration
Monrovia Public Library
321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016
Monrovia Public Library is hosting a Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 17th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The event will “spotlight African American contributions to the Arts.” Storyteller Ina Buckner-Barnette will be “bringing to life the vibrant narratives that have shaped our history,” and there will also be family-friendly crafts and activities.
Black History Month Event at Forest Lawn–Glendale
1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205
Forest Lawn’s Black History Month event takes place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 4:00-7:30 PM, inside the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection. Doors open at 4:00 PM for the resource fair and pre-show reception with refreshments, music, and prizes, and continues with a 6:30 PM curtain for the performance. Seating will begin at 6:00 PM and is available on a first come, first served basis; standing room only is anticipated. Admission and parking are FREE.
Marcus Miller’s Drums
Central Library
630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Celebrate African American History Month at the Central Library on Saturday, February 17th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Enjoy a hands-on, interactive drumming experience with Marcus Miller’s Drums. (Intended for children ages 3-11.)
Prosperity Market at NHM
Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Prosperity Market, a “unique mobile farmer’s market and Black-owned businesses advocate,” will be at the Natural History Museum’s Nature Gardens on Saturday, February 17th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Celebrate Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs as you enjoy favorite farmers market goodies, prepared foods, artisanal goods, music, and fun activities for kids in The Kids Corner.
Teen – African Prints
Baldwin Park Library
4181 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Teens (ages 12-17) are invited to Baldwin Park Library on Saturday, February 17th from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a special African American and Black History Month event. Teens will crate their own African prints while discussing African art and culture. Advance registration is required as attendance is limited.
Sunday, February 18th
8th Annual Los Angeles Black History Month Festival
Pan Pacific Park
7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center invites families to its 8th Annual Los Angeles Black History Month Festival happening on Sunday, February 18th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. This free event features live performances, an African marketplace, discussions on mental and physical health topics related to the African American community, vendors, and more. Register for this free event online.
Sunday, February 18th and Monday February 19th
Celebrate Black History Month
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
Celebrate Black History Month at Kidspace Children’s Museum on Sunday, February 18th and Monday, February 19th. This special event is a community art and music program celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Artists will be at Kidspace creating a “large-scale community art piece representing our commitment to continue Robinson’s activism for freedom and civil rights.” Another piece of art will “invite participants to place their handprints in the voided space of artist Glenn Ligon’s work as a symbol of their shared commitment to freedom and civil rights. Musical programs are scheduled at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm, both days. The Black History Month Celebration is included with Kidspace admission. Details and tickets are available online.
Wednesday, February 21st
Alma Woodsey Thomas Inspired Collage
Lawndale Library
14615 Burin Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260
Lawndale Library, part of the LA County Library System, is celebrating Black and African American History Month with a special activity on Wednesday, February 21st from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Children will learn about the life and art of Alma Thomas and create their own artwork inspired by her paintings. This activity is recommended for children ages 6-12.
Alma Thomas Inspired Art
Sunkist Library
840 Puente Ave., La Puente, CA 91746
Sunkist Library, part of the LA County Library System, is also celebrating African American and Black History Month with a special activity on Wednesday, February 21st from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Children will learn about the life and art of Alma Thomas and create their own artwork inspired by her paintings.
Related: Celebrate Juneteenth in Los Angeles
Thursday, February 22nd
Veteran Black History Celebration
Peer Resource Center
12021 Wilmington Ave. Building 18, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Community members are invited to a Veteran Black History Celebration happening on Thursday, February 22nd from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This special event includes “inspiring stories, music, and cultural performances that honor the bravery and resilience of our Black veterans.” A luncheon is planned from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, and an awards ceremony takes place from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Be sure to check the website to reserve your spot for this free event.
Saturday, February 24th
Black History Parade & Expo
Parade begins at Summit & Citrus Ave., Fontana, CA 92325
The City of Fontana is holding its annual Black History Parade & Expo on Saturday, February 24th beginning at 10:00 am. The parade will feature marching bands, drill/dance teams, community groups, and more. The expo includes live entertainment, food and craft vendors, and more. Be sure to check the website for more information as it becomes available.
Black History Month Celebration
SouthBay Pavilion
20700 Avalon Blvd., Carson, CA 90746
Visit SouthBay Pavilion on Saturday, February 24th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a special Black History Month Celebration. The festivities include live music, raffles, special vendors, and more.
9th Annual Black History Greens Festival
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405
The 9th Annual Black History Greens Festival is happening on Saturday, February 24th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Acknowledging the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future.” This special event includes musical and dance performances, cooking demonstrations, wellness booths, book readings, giveaways, food trucks, specialty vendors, and more.
Saturday, February 24th – Sunday, February 25th
22nd Annual African-American Festival
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its Annual African-American Festival on Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. The festivities will feature “music, dance, storytelling, historical displays, and the Aquarium’s Heritage Award ceremony.” The Festival is included in general Aquarium admission. Tickets are available online.
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
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Shon
Wednesday 31st of January 2018
This listing was very helpful, thanks!