Black History Month is a great time to educate yourself and your family about history and racial justice, and there are lots of local resources and events for doing that around Seattle.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Living Voices Performance (MOHAI)
Date/Time: Thursday, February 6. 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: MOHAI, 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Cost: Free (First Thursday)
Ages: 12 and older
MOHAI is hosting a Living Voices performance as a way to celebrate Black History Month. This engaging program brings history to life by combining live theatrical performances with archival film. Witness the struggle and sacrifice for civil rights in America through the eyes of an African American student in Mississippi during the 1950s and 1960s. As part of Free First Thursday, this event is free for everyone. Living Voices takes place in the Joshua Green Foundation Theater on MOHAI’s second floor.
When the Past Meets Your Future: A Celebration of BHS
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: MOHAI, 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Cost: Included with purchase of museum admission (purchase separately). Register here.
MOHAI be hosting a special Black History Month celebration at the museum called When the Past Meets Your Future: A Celebration of BHS. Approaching fifty years since its founding, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State (BHS) is a vital organization and community-driven archive that keeps collective memory alive through advocacy and education.
Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)
Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) announces its programming for Black History Month, Coloring Outside the Lines, a month-long celebration of creativity, resilience, and the trailblazing spirit in Black communities. Check out the events that they will be presenting this month.
Black History Month: The Oprah Effect
Date/Time: Saturday, February 8, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: Free
Join NAAM for The Oprah Effect: A Conversation with Black Women Media Trailblazers, an inspiring panel discussion that celebrates the legacy of Black women in media and explore how they continue to trailblaze across platforms today. Free for all attendees.
Tassel Ear Candy Workshop
Date/Time: Saturday, February 15. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: Workshop is $40 for non-members and free for members. Register here.
For those who love to glow on the inside and out, join the Tassel Ear Candy Workshop with Ife Thomas (and learn how to make two pairs of custom yarn earrings. This workshop is $40 for non-members and free for members.
Candle Pouring Experience
Date/Time: Sunday, February 16. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: $40 for non-members; Free for members. Buy tickets here.
Join NAAM and the Noir Lux Team, a local Black owned business for an afternoon of Get Lit: A BHM Candle Pouring Experience.
Calling In
Date/Time: Thursday, February 20. 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: Varies by event
Join NAAM for an empowering and thought-provoking evening with Black feminist activist and acclaimed writer Loretta J. Ross as she discusses her groundbreaking new book, Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel.
Black Art Take Over
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: Included with purchase of museum admission
The Black Art Takeover at NAAM features pop-up markets and displays from Black artists, guided tours of the latest exhibitions, panel conversations around the history of Black art in the PNW, great eats, and so much more. This event is free with purchased museum admission.
Black Abstract Workshop
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
Cost: $30 for non members; Free for members. Register here.
The Black Abstract Workshop will have participants create intuitive abstract paintings while also learning history about the integral Black influence in the birth and becoming of abstract art.
More events around the Seattle area
Black History Month Luncheon at People’s Community Celebration
Date/Time: Saturday, February 1. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405
Cost: Free, RSVP Here.
Celebrate Black History Month at People’s Community Center and join a seated lunch celebrating the Hilltop Community. Bring your favorite family recipe to add to the cookbook (or submit your recipe online when you RSVP). This luncheon will feature community speakers, performances by Vision Step Team, Fearless Dance, and Innovative Change Makers, DJ Music by Don Gee, MC by Boe Blast, games & table discussions.
African American Folktales and Legends
Date/Time: Saturday, February 1. 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Bonney Lake Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Cost: Free
Join the Bonney Lake Library and learn about the histories, contributions, and lived experiences of those around to start Black History Month. Experience the powerful storytelling of Eva Abram, creator of Rainwater Storytelling. Enjoy a variety of multicultural stories, including Brer Rabbit and Friends. Eva utilizes gestures, body language, expressions, and character voices to bring the characters to life. Guests can participate in a questions and answers portion for the last fifteen minutes of the program and learn about Rainwater storytelling, and the process of telling stories.
Black History Month Artist Spotlight
Date/Time: Saturday, February 1. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. & February 4-25. 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Every Tuesday
Location: Tacoma Public Library – Moore Branch, 215 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408
Cost: Free
Visit Moore Library each week in February to celebrate Black History Month and to learn about Black artists who shaped the world. Each week they will feature a different artist’s story and work, as well as provide materials for patrons to create their own masterpieces! No registration is necessary. Display available from February 1st to February 25th.
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt Tacoma Libraries
Date/Time: February 1-28. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Daily.
Location: All library branches in Tacoma; learn more here.
Cost: Free
Grades: K-5
Join all the Tacoma Library branches, including Fern Hill, Kobetich, Main, Moore, Mottet, South Tacoma, Swasey, and Wheelock from February 1st through 28th for a scavenger hunt to celebrate and learn more about Black artists who helped shape the world! Find all the hidden images around the library and earn a prize.
Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum
Date/Time: February 1-28. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays.
Location: Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Avenue, South Seattle, WA 98118
Cost: $15 – $80. Buy tickets here.
Celebrate Black History Month, where Rainier Avenue Radio is converting the historic Columbia City Theatre into a museum for the entire month of February entitled “Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum.” The Museum will celebrate the achievements and achievers of the PNW while recognizing Black excellence through a toured exhibit featuring installations and exhibits. This will be open from Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am until 7 pm the entire month of February.
Black History Month Activities at People’s Center
Date/Time: February 1-28. 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Every day.
Location: People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405
Cost: Free
Celebrate Black History Month with free events and activities all month long at People’s Community Center in Tacoma. There will be Black History Activities for Youth every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well as Black History Trivia (answer a trivia question to get free entry to the gym or weight room). Every Friday (Feb 7, 14, 21, 28), there will be open art activities for youth.
Be GREAT Celebration at Occidental Square
Date/Time: February 6-7. 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Thursday), 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Occidental Square, 117 S Washington St, Seattle
Cost: Free
Celebrate Black Excellence at BE Great! In honor of Black History Month, this free two-day event brings together Black culture, arts, music, food and more. Enjoy performances from local musicians, shop a pop-up market of Black-owned businesses and immerse yourself in Black creativity and community. All are welcome at this soulful celebration.
Living Voices: Home Front/War Front at Woodmont Library
Date/Time: Friday, February 7. 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Hwy S, Des Moines, WA 98198
Cost: Free, registration is required.
Ages: 9 and older
Learn about the little-known stories and contributions of working women in the World War II aeronautics industry. As a part of Black History Month, you will discover the experiences of Black Rosie the Riveters who built planes in Boeing’s factories, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), the Tuskegee Airmen and the Double Victory campaign. Enjoy this solo performance combined with an archival film that transforms history into a moving, personal journey. Registration is required.
Black History Month Open Art in Tacoma
Date/Time: February 7-28. 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Every Friday
Location: People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405
Cost: Free
Celebrate Black History Month with free events and activities all month long at People’s Community Center in Tacoma. Every Friday, starting in February, there will be open art activities for youth that relate to Black History Month and is a fun and educational way for kids to learn about black history.
Black History Month Family Trivia Night
Date/Time: Saturday, February 8. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Des Moines Library, 21620 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198
Cost: Free, register here.
Ages: 6 and older
Test your knowledge of prominent African Americans in the U.S. labor movement and join this family trivia night at the Des Moines Library as a way to celebrate Black History Month. Participants with the three highest scores will receive a prize. Be sure to register early since spots fill up quickly.
Celebrating Black Voices Film Fest at BIMA
Date/Time: Sunday, February 9. 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 100 Ravine Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA98110
Cost: $15 for general admission and $12 for member admission. Buy tickets here.
All ages
Known for their live underground film festival, Scope Screenings will be joining BIMA for a dynamic one-day festival honoring Black History Month, where everyone will celebrate the rich contributions of Black filmmakers with a showcase of classic and contemporary films that highlight their artistry, storytelling, and cultural significance. Open to all ages.
Crowdsource Choir: Songs of Soul – Black History Month
Date/Time: Thursday, February 13. 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Fremont Abbey Arts Center, 4272 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Cost: Ticket prices are based off a sliding scale, from $20-$35. Free for kids 10 & under. Buy tickets here.
All ages
Join Crowdsource Choir for a powerful sing-along celebrating the timeless rhythms of soul music. This Black History Month, everyone will come together in harmony to honor the legacy of Black artists. No singing experience is required. Just show up, learn your part, and sing! This is an all ages venue. Kids 10 & under are free at Abbey Arts concerts.
Celebrating Black History Month with Emily Mallory
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22. 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Newcastle Library, 12901 Newcastle Way, Newcastle, WA 98056
Cost: Free
Ages: 2 and older
Celebrate Black History Month! Read stories and make origami crafts with Emily Mallory of Emily’s Papercrafts at the Newcastle Library. All supplies provided. Sponsored by the Newcastle Arts Council.
Hilltop Healthy Kids & Families Carnival in Tacoma
Date/Time: February 22. 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Tacoma, WA 98405
Cost: Free, no registration required
Join People’s Center in Tacoma for the 15th annual Hilltop Healthy Kids & Family Carnival, featuring live music, tons of fun, and free services for kids and families. This is part of a month-long celebration of Black History Month. The event will have a live DJ, games, toys and prizes, free food and t-shirts, bicycles and gift card raffle and much more. Don’t forget the free services they offer including free dental cleaning for adults/children, blood pressure screening and haircuts. Note: Haircuts have limited appointments, first come first served.
Black History Month Soiree on Bainbridge Island
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 550 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Cost: Free (suggest donation is $10). RSVP here.
All ages
The Black History Month Soirée 2025 at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is a time to come together and celebrate Black culture with a night filled with music, art, and a special pop-up group of vendors from Seattle’s Black Love Market. Enjoy a night of dancing while shopping at Black-owned businesses and enjoying live music and performances. Grab a drink from the bistro, hit the dance floor, and surround yourself with the community. Be sure to register in advance.
Black History Month Market – Tacoma
Date/Time: Sunday, February 23. 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Mt. Tahoma High School, 4634 S 74th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Cost: Free event, items to purchase
Join the 4th Annual Black History Month Market at Mount Tahoma High School’s Commons Area. This night market features over 30 black-owned businesses showcasing art, fashion, handmade goods and more. Not only is there a fun shopping experience, attendees will enjoy live performances featuring music, poetry, and dance, delicious food vendors, interactive art displays and family-friendly workshops and interactive activities.
More Black History Month resources:
Black History Month by National Geographic Kids
Black History Month resources from Library of Congress and other agencies
Support Black-owned businesses