February is Black History Month, and there are educational events that celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans, as well as African culture in general, happening throughout New Jersey all month.
Throughout February
A Century of Black History Commemorations
Maplewood
The 2026 theme marks 100 years since the first national celebration of Black History Month. Events include art exhibitions, a historical interpretation of General George Washington’s enslaved person Hannah Till, film screenings and family movie nights, concerts, book signings, a vegan soul food cooking class, a discussion on the movie “Sinners,” a conversation about the African diaspora, and a history showcase at the YMCA.
February 1
An Evening With Melba Moore
SOPAC, South Orange
Melba Moore, Jeff Redd and Lenny Green from WBLS will perform on stage.
Hannah Till: Black History in the Revolutionary War Era
The Woodland Parlor, South Orange
Historical interpreter Leslie Bramlett will make the connection between the birth of America and the history of African Americans. She’ll appear as Hannah Till, an enslaved cook and servant to General George Washington.
Black History Month Flag Raising
Train Station Plaza, Rahway
Join Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and the Social Justice Commission in celebrating African American culture, history and community.
Wednesdays in February
Little Readers, Big History
Baird Library, South Orange
Each week a special guest (i.e. the mayor, councilwomen, authors) will read a book about Black history.
February 5
No More Water
SOPAC, South Orange
Meshell Ndegeocello will tell the Gospel of James Baldwin through a blend of jazz, soul, funk and spoken word.
Black History Month Festival
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Robbinsville High School’s Black Culture Club will hold its fourth annual festival, with this year’s theme “The Harlem Renaissance.” You’ll tour four different rooms, where students will present historical facts and highlights on a variety of topics. The evening will also feature music, soul food, dance performances, and a variety of Black-owned vendors offering items such as skincare products, clothing, books, arts and crafts, and more.
February 5 – March 15
I Am You
SOPAC, South Orange
Presented by The Herb + Milly Iris galley, the art exhibit I Am You – by Caribbean American artist Tatum Sabin – uses faces, figures and symbols, plus patterns, florals, vinyl records and recycled materials.
February 6
The Underground Experience: A Walk-Through Black History
Rahway Recreation Center, Rahway
This interactive, immersive live museum lets you meet historical Black figures portrayed by actors: Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and Fannie Lou Hamer will share their stories through monologues and real-time interactions.
Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremony
New Brunswick
After a flag-raising ceremony outside of the Middlesex County Administration Building, a cultural program will follow at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to recognize Black History Month.
February 7
Black History Month 2026 Expo
Jefferson School Auditorium, Twp. of Union
The community celebration at the school will include live music, performances, an art gallery, a selection of food trucks, and a Black-owned business market.
Black History Breakfast
Historic Macedonia AME Church, Camden
Historian Dolly Marshall will discuss Macedonia’s history as a hub of social justice. There will be a reading by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
Fridays – Sundays, February 7-28
Coloring Book
Louis Bluver Theater at The Drake, Philadelphia, PA
This multi-media theatrical experience follows the journey of Will Edwards as he navigates the complexities of history, race, and mental illness through a revolutionary form of art therapy.
Saturdays in February
Erasing South Orange Borders Run/Walk
Around South Orange
Join fellow community members for this weekly tour of South Orange.
February 8
DRUMLine Live
NJPAC, Newark
This international tour celebrates the marching band tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The performance includes originals as well as soul-infused interpretations of popular Top 40 hits.
February 11 – July 30
Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Crite was born in North Plainfield but raised in Boston, and created a visual record of Black life in 20th-century urban America. The new exhibition presents his career as a storyteller and cultural historian through 65 paintings and works on paper, exploring neighborhood, community and religion.
February 12
The Temptations and The Four Tops
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Two legendary supergroups will relive Motown memories as part of MPAC’s Black History Month programming.
Let it Shine: American Civil Rights Movement
Levoy Theatre, Millville
This show introduces kids in grades 3 and up to important dates in Black history: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the SCLC, Brown v. Board of Education, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and more.
Trivia Night
The Baird Café, South Orange
The questions will be based on Black history topics.
SparkNight: Celebrating Black History Month
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
SparkNight is a free monthly art party at the museum, and this month’s theme is based on the opening of the Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood and Andy Warhol: On Repeat exhibits. There will be live music, a Warhol-inspired art activity, and free mocktails.
February 13
Cirque Kalabante (Afrique en Cirque)
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
African culture, inspired by daily life in Guinea, comes to life through a colorful show of scenery, costumes and sets. Young African acrobats will perform to Afro-Jazz, percussion and kora.
Douglass Day
Multiple Locations
In honor of Frederick Douglass’s birthday, bring your own laptop and help transcribe records from the historic Colored Conventions movement. You’ll get a piece of birthday cake while you work.
February 14
Music & Dance of the African Diaspora
Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan
The Manalapan Arts Council will present the history of Black culture in America with performances by violinist Laticia Lewis, steel pannist Jevaun Grant, and the Watson-Johnson Dance Group.
February 15
Family Day at Morven
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Drop in for activities and crafts, such as scavenger hunts, clay sculpting, zine making, and storytimes exploring Black History Month and Presidents Day. Kids will get snacks and juice.
February 19
Crazy Faith Riders
Rahway Senior Center, Rahway
The Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey is a riding club that preserves the history and culture of Black cowboys through trail riding and community outreach. They’ll present a musical and oral history featuring spirituals, cowboy ballads, and first-person narratives about the Black cowboy experience. A mobile exhibit of historical images, riding gear, and stories from the archives will also be on display.
History at Home: Howe Family History
Virtual, presented by Montclair History Center
James Howe was the first African American in Montclair to own a home. Previously enslaved to the Crane family in the early 1800s, James was manumitted and willed $400 and 6 acres of land including the home that still stands at 369 Claremont Ave. In the summer of 2022 Friends of the Howe House was formed to save and preserve this historic home. The historians of FOHH will share how the uncover clues that help discover the history of the Howe family.
February 19 and 21
Men W/O Shoes
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
At least 14 Black men fought alongside General George Washington during the Battle of Princeton and students from Foundation Academies’ Black Student Union have been researching the IDs of these men. “Men W/O Shoes,” which grew from a collaboration with the Princeton Battlefield Society, shares their stories and honors their sacrifices.
February 21
Black History Month Reading Event
McDonald’s, Neptune
Families are welcome to hear books read by Black authors, teachers, principals and other community members. Kids will get tote bags, books, and Happy Meals while supplies last.
Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey by looking at a bill of sale for an enslaved person, an 1800s newspaper, census data, personal letters, oral histories, and mid-century Jet and Ebony magazines.
Black History Month Celebration
Ocean County Library, Toms River branch
Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District and Toms River Area NAACP will host this program for adults, with a food tasting prepared by members of the NAACP, and a music performance by Dave Revels.
My Black is Beautiful
SOPAC, South Orange
This is the 4th annual celebration of Black history by students from South Orange Middle School is told through music, dance, visual arts and literature.
The Story of James Woby
Allentown Methodist Church, Allentown
Learn about Allentown native James Woby, who was his regiment’s color bearer during the Civil War, and survived a “blizzard of bullets” with his fellow soldiers of the 22nd Colored Infantry. Woby will be honored for his service during the Civil War’s longest battle, the Siege of Petersburg.
February 24
Les Ballets Africains
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
African culture comes to life through dance, live music, acrobatics and storytelling.
February 25
Celebrating Union County Black History
The Gallery Space, Rahway
John Prescott, history programs coordinator of the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, will lead a seminar celebrating Union County’s Black history.
February 27
A Family Affair Exhibition: Black History Month Edition
Nancy Thompson Library of Kean University, Union
Newark-based artist Timothy J. Simmons will participate in One Hour of Art Power: Black History Month Edition, a special conversation connecting the themes of his A Family Affair exhibition to broader discussions of representation, identity and cultural storytelling.
The Importance of History in a Time of Erasure
Maplewood Library, Maplewood
Dr. Imani Perry, award-winning author and Harvard professor, and Doreen Oliver, writer, performer and speaker, will talk about the deeply complex history of Black thought, art and imagination.
February 28
Ndlovu Youth Choir
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir performed its singing and choreography on America’s Got Talent!
SSAAM Heritage Singers
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
Choral members from the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum will sing spirituals for Black History Month, inspired by the museum’s latest exhibit, Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood. There will be a reception after the concert, and time to wander through the galleries.
Black History Month Sip & Paint
CINC, South Orange
You’ll paint a photo representing Black history while sipping on the drink of your choice.
Through March 2
Art in the Atrium Presents Visual Voices
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
“Visual Voices” refers to raising voices artistically that resonate to project a goal or an idea visually. The art will combine meaningful mental and visual imagery.
You can also celebrate Black History Month at home by sharing a book, movie or craft project as a family. For ideas, check out our Black History Month celebration board on Pinterest.
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Read More:
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