By Molly Given<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n African American Museum in Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n The African American Museum in Philadelphia is commemorating Black History Month with a dynamic slate of programs honoring the 2026 national theme, \u2018A Century of Black History Commemorations \u2014 From Negro History Week to Black History Month.\u2019 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.<\/p>\n Throughout the month, museum admission also includes access to AAMP\u2019s major exhibitions, including \u2018Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design\u2019, featuring more than 80 original costumes from the legendary designer\u2019s career, and \u2018Sailing to Freedom\u2019, 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\u2019s most robust and meaningful ways to engage with Black history past, present, and future this February.<\/p>\n 701 Arch St., aampmuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Soft Light\u2019 at Hyatt Centric Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014illuminating identity, intimacy, and resilience through painting, mixed media, and figurative work. \u2018Soft Light\u2019 is free and open to the public and will be on view through Feb. 27 as part of the hotel\u2019s ongoing Maker Series.<\/p>\n 1620 Chancellor St., hyatt.com<\/a><\/p>\n Betsy Ross House<\/strong><\/p>\n This February, the Betsy Ross House invites visitors to discover the true stories of Black Philadelphians who helped shape the city\u2019s 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\u2019s household, and Margaret Woodby, a successful Black entrepreneur whose talents extended far beyond her listing as a \u201ccake baker.\u201d There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 239 Arch St., historicphiladelphia.org<\/a><\/p>\n Museum of the American Revolution<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2018The Declaration\u2019s Journey\u2019, 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\u2019s Fourth of July oration, the Emancipation Proclamation, and a 1799 abolitionist petition led by Absalom Jones and Richard Allen.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 101 S. 3rd St., amrevmuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n Please Touch Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s oldest Black American theatrical institution), and much more.<\/p>\n 4231 Avenue of the Republic, pleasetouchmuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n Mural Arts Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n Mural Arts Philadelphia is celebrating Black creativity with the opening of its annual Fellowship for Black Artists exhibition at Ubuntu Gallery in historic Germantown<\/a> 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\u2014including Malayah Reynolds, Kameo Chambers, Tisha Taylor, and more. The showcase will be on view through Feb. 28.<\/p>\n 5423 Germantown Ave, ubuntufa.com<\/a><\/p>\n 34th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair<\/strong><\/p>\n The 34th Annual African American Children\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s literature on the national map.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s highlights include a first post\u2013Newbery Medal appearance by Renee Watson\u2014one of only a handful of Black Americans to receive the honor\u2014and 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.<\/p>\n 1101 Arch St., theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org<\/a><\/p>\n Free Library of Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 1901 Vine St., libwww.freelibrary.org<\/a><\/p>\n Wilder<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n