Black history holds a space in Philly all year long, but Black History Month gives this history a special opportunity to be celebrated and amplified. We are rounding up events across the city that focus on family-friendly fun for all ages.
Saturday, Feb. 1: Black History Month Celebration at Please Touch Museum
Bring your children to experience storytime, science workshops, a dance studio, and other immersive exhibits and experiences on the first day of Black History Month. The Please Touch Museum will offer this special event in addition to a month-long Black History walk exhibit, featuring various Black changemakers.
Saturday, Feb. 1: African American Children’s Book Fair at Pennsylvania Convention Center
Celebrate various nationally recognized Black authors and books at the 33rd annual African American Children’s Book Fair celebration. The free event lasts from 1 to 4 p.m. and will feature literacy activities, books for sale and author storytimes.
Sunday, Feb. 2: Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Black History Month Family Festival
The PMA’s Family Festival will feature various events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including art activities, artist meetups, and a dance party. This event is “pay-what-you-want” admission, and is otherwise free.
Saturday, Feb. 8 & 15, and Sunday, Feb. 2, 9 & 16: Museum of the American Revolution’s Revolution Place Discovery Center
The museum’s discovery center will feature Black History Month-themed activities all month long. The children-focused Revolution Place allows families with kids, especially those from 5 to 12 years old, resources like touchscreens, art activities and reproduction objects to imagine what life was like in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. On select Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this month, this will include special exhibits celebrating Black History Month
Saturdays & Sundays Feb. 1-28: National Constitution Center’s Black History Month Events
The National Constitution Center will include special Black History Month events such as crafts, scavenger hunts, trivia and tours all month long. With a general admission ticket, all of these activities are in reach for a day of family fun.
Wednesday, Feb. 5: First Wednesday at Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum will host another special event that includes Black History Month specials and $2 admission on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will include dances from the Le Phoenix Dance Institute and a hands-on painting experience that explores the beauty of diversity of skin tones.
Saturday, Feb. 22: African American Museum of Philadelphia Family Fun Day
The museum’s youth costume party invites children ages 13 and under to dress up as their favorite Black History figure, and join in on the “Wax Museum Activity,” where they can tell facts about themselves. The day will also conclude with a reading of a book from a Black History hero.
All month long: Free Library of Philadelphia events
Explore Black History events and exhibits for varying ages and interests at different Free Library of Philadelphia branches all month long. Experience a 3D box art event on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 4:30 p.m. at Eastwick Library; bring children ages 4-12 for a Black History Month Scavenger Hunt at Queen Memorial Library on Monday, Feb. 10; or bring the family along to celebrate Black Children’s Book Week with a literacy festival at Lovett Memorial Library on Saturday, Feb. 22, complete with local authors and readings, library tours and light refreshments.
Events range from all ages to family involvement levels and are held at a variety of library branches. More information on signups and events can be found here.
All month long: Family-friendly exhibit at Smith Memorial Playground
The playground’s Leaders and Legends of Philadelphia exhibit showcases various notable members of Philadelphia’s Black community, complete with biographical info, kids fun facts and corresponding activities. The monthlong exhibit also includes discussion questions for families to discuss diversity and equity amidst Black History Month. This year’s honorees include politicians, entrepreneurs and athletes.
All month long: African American Museum in Philadelphia Black History Month Celebration
The museum will include special programming with the theme “African Americans and Labor” for Black History Month. The museum is open Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is an ongoing list of events for Black History Month. We will update this list with more events as we become aware of them.
