By Molly Given

From immersive museum experiences to hands-on workshops, story-filled performances, and neighborhood art showcases, Philadelphia is coming alive this February to commemorate Black History Month. 

African American Museum in Philadelphia

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is commemorating Black History Month with a dynamic slate of programs honoring the 2026 national theme, ‘A Century of Black History Commemorations — From Negro History Week to Black History Month.’ Highlights include the return of crowd favorites like Everyday Freedom Heroes and the Big Game Watch Party, alongside new offerings such as an Innovation Sprint, where young participants step into the role of startup founders.

Throughout the month, museum admission also includes access to AAMP’s major exhibitions, including ‘Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design’, featuring more than 80 original costumes from the legendary designer’s career, and ‘Sailing to Freedom’, an exploration of Black resistance and self-liberation by water. With film screenings, youth-centered programming, community partnerships, and interactive experiences, AAMP offers one of the city’s most robust and meaningful ways to engage with Black history past, present, and future this February.

701 Arch St., aampmuseum.org

‘Soft Light’ at Hyatt Centric Philadelphia

Hyatt Centric Philadelphia is celebrating Black History Month with a group exhibition spotlighting four Black women artists. Curated by Philly-based curator and visual artist Chelsey Luster, the show explores light as both a visual and emotional force—illuminating identity, intimacy, and resilience through painting, mixed media, and figurative work. ‘Soft Light’ is free and open to the public and will be on view through Feb. 27 as part of the hotel’s ongoing Maker Series.

1620 Chancellor St., hyatt.com

Betsy Ross House

This February, the Betsy Ross House invites visitors to discover the true stories of Black Philadelphians who helped shape the city’s early history. Through free Once Upon A Nation storytelling and History Maker conversations, guests can meet real people from Colonial-era Philadelphia and learn about their lives, resilience, and lasting contributions. History Maker Saturdays spotlight figures like Ona Judge, who self-emancipated from George Washington’s household, and Margaret Woodby, a successful Black entrepreneur whose talents extended far beyond her listing as a “cake baker.” There’s also Storytelling Sundays, where these histories come to life with engaging, family-friendly performances. Held throughout the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., these free programs offer an accessible and powerful way to connect to the occasion.

239 Arch St., historicphiladelphia.org

Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution is marking Black History Month with a lineup of exhibitions and programs. At the heart of the month is ‘The Declaration’s Journey’, a special showcase tracing how Black leaders in the U.S. and abroad invoked the Declaration of Independence in their fights for freedom and civil rights. Viewers will be able to see rare and resonant documents, including a Haitian Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass’s Fourth of July oration, the Emancipation Proclamation, and a 1799 abolitionist petition led by Absalom Jones and Richard Allen.

Throughout February, visitors can also attend forums, scholar-led talks, daily gallery conversations, and first-person performances that connect the Revolutionary era to the ongoing struggle for justice. All Black History Month programming is included with regular museum admission.

101 S. 3rd St., amrevmuseum.org

Please Touch Museum

On Feb. 7, locals can dive into interactive, hands-on workshops honoring Black changemakers past and present, with art and STEM activities, performances by Living Arts Dance Studio and New Freedom Theatre (which is Pennsylvania’s oldest Black American theatrical institution), and much more.

4231 Avenue of the Republic, pleasetouchmuseum.org

Mural Arts Philadelphia

Mural Arts Philadelphia is celebrating Black creativity with the opening of its annual Fellowship for Black Artists exhibition at Ubuntu Gallery in historic Germantown on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Now in its sixth year, the Fellowship showcases the 2025 cohort, featuring over 30 works by emerging Black artists—including Malayah Reynolds, Kameo Chambers, Tisha Taylor, and more. The showcase will be on view through Feb. 28.

5423 Germantown Ave, ubuntufa.com

34th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair

The 34th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair returns to Philadelphia this Saturday, Feb. 7, and will be transforming the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a celebration of stories, imagination, and Black history in the making. One of the largest and longest-running single-day events dedicated to diverse children’s books in the country, the fair brings an all-star lineup of 40 award-winning authors and illustrators to the city that helped put Black children’s literature on the national map.

This year’s highlights include a first post–Newbery Medal appearance by Renee Watson—one of only a handful of Black Americans to receive the honor—and a special spotlight on illustrators, featuring 16 acclaimed artists, including Caldecott Medal winners and honorees. Running from 1 to 4 p.m., the free, family-friendly event offers a rare chance to meet the creators shaping how young readers first encounter Black history and culture.

1101 Arch St., theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org

Free Library of Philadelphia

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is marking Black History Month with a powerful slate of author talks as part of its Spring 2026 Author Events Series. February’s lineup features nationally recognized creatives, including historian Matthew F. Delmont, MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts, novelist Victoria Christopher Murray, historian Heather Ann Thompson, and critic/author Namwali Serpell in a special program on Toni Morrison. Held throughout the month at Parkway Central Library, tickets to these events are $5.

1901 Vine St., libwww.freelibrary.org

Wilder

Now through Sunday, Feb. 8, Wilder is hosting a special happy hour to support Sankofa Community Farm. Proceeds from the cocktail fundraiser benefit the 3.5-acre, community-driven farm at Bartram’s Garden, which celebrates the agricultural traditions of the African Diaspora. The farm grows over 60 crops and wild foods while fostering intergenerational learning, with paid high school interns from Southwest Philadelphia working alongside elders, neighbors, and volunteers.

2009 Sansom St., wilderphilly.com

Night Kitchen Bakery

Chestnut Hill’s popular bakery is celebrating the occasion with a fundraiser. Running now through Feb. 28 all proceeds from the venue’s Black Lives Matter cookie ($7) will be donated to the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

7723-25 Germantown Ave., nightkitchenbakery.com

Keywords

Black History Month,

Free Library of Philadelphia,

Mural Arts,

Please Touch Museum,

Museum of the American Revolution,

African American Museum in Philadelphia