Black art, culture, and history deserve the spotlight year-round, but February is when Seattle really steps it up during Black History Month. We’ve got everything from film festivals and discussions to art shows and candle pouring. Support Black-owned businesses while you’re at it, and use your Buy Black Card. 

Pour candles and good vibes with Noir Lux on Feb. 16.

Photo courtesy of Noir Lux Candle Co.

Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)
NAAM’s Coloring Outside the Lines programming celebrates creativity, resilience, and the trailblazing spirit of Black communities. Events inspired by the Forward Together theme highlight the contributions of Black artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

• The Oprah Effect: A Conversation with Black Women Media Trailblazers
  6 p.m. Feb. 8, free
  Paris Jackson of Crosscut Now and Falesha Johnson of the Rebirth of Life & Love podcast reflect on the influence of Black women in media.
• Tassel Ear Candy Workshop
  2-4 p.m. Feb. 15, free for members; $40 for non-members
  Ifé Thomas from Her Glow Candy Shop guides you through making custom yarn earrings.
• Get Lit: A BHM Candle Pouring Experience
  2-4 p.m Feb. 16, free for members; $30 for non-members
  Join Noir Lux Candle Co., a local Black-owned business, for a candle-pouring session filled with good vibes and community spirit.
• “Calling In:” An Intimate Evening with Loretta J. Ross
  6-7:15 p.m, Feb. 20, free for members (with signed book); $40 for non-members
  Activist and author Loretta J. Ross shares insights from her book Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel.
• Black Abstract: Black Influence on Western Modern Abstract Art
  3-5 p.m. Feb. 22, free for members; $30 for non-members
  Mixed-media artist AshaAung Helmstetter leads a hands-on abstract painting workshop while diving into Black artists’ contributions to modern art.
• Black Art Takeover
  11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 22, free for members; included with museum admission for non-members
  Guided tours, pop-up markets, panel talks, and more celebrate Black art and history in the Pacific Northwest.

Experience civil rights history through live theater and archival footage at MOHAI’s Living Voices: The Right to Dream.

Photo courtesy of MOHAI

Living Voices: The Right to Dream
Feb. 6 — Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
This Free First Thursday mixed-media performance blends archival footage with live theater, immersing audiences in the civil rights movement of 1950s-1960s Mississippi.

Home Front, War Front: Fly for Freedom
Feb. 6 — Museum of Flight
This event honors the legacy of Black aviators during World War II, including the Tuskegee Airmen, through firsthand stories and historical artifacts.

BLACK HOLE – Trilogy and Triathlon
Feb. 6-8 — On The Boards 
Catch the West Coast premiere of the final piece in Shamel Pitts’ “BLACK Series.” This Afrofuturist performance blends dance, sound, video, and light to explore themes of growth, empowerment, and transformation.

Soul of Seattle
Feb. 8 — Block 41
This annual fundraiser spotlights Black-owned food vendors, live music, and a silent auction. Proceeds support Mentoring Urban Students and Teens (MUST).

Celebrating Black Voices Film Fest
Feb. 9 — Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
A must for film lovers, this annual festival features stories from the Black experience with a powerful lineup of films.

Songs of Soul
Feb. 13 — Fremont Abbey Arts Center
Join Crowdsource Choir for a soul music sing-along celebrating Black culture and community through music.

We The People and the American Dream
Feb. 20 — Washington State History Museum
Explore the impact of two pivotal laws passed in 1866: the Civil Rights Act and the authorization for freed Black men to serve in the U.S. military. This evening of music and dialogue features a discussion with educators about how these moments shaped American history — and how “We the People” continue to shape it today.

Radiant Reflections: Celebrating the Beauty of the African Diaspora
Through Feb. 23 — Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
This exhibit highlights the richness of the African Diaspora, showcasing its beauty and resilience through captivating works.

Blues for an Alabama Sky
Through Feb. 23 — Bagley Wright Theater
Set in 1930s Harlem, this play follows two best friends chasing dreams in the lively but turbulent world of jazz clubs and Harlem Renaissance aspirations.

Call to Conscience
Through Feb. 28 — Columbia City Theater
Rainier Avenue Radio transforms the theater into a temporary museum exhibit honoring Seattle’s Black community and its contributions.

Hamilton
Through March 2 — The Paramount Theatre
Lin-Manuel Miranda might be a household name now, but this is essentially what kicked it all off. With its blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton. It redefined theater and left a big mark on culture.

ARTE NOIR
Ongoing — Central District
This nonprofit gallery and retail space champions local Black artists by offering educational resources and opportunities to showcase their work. Shopping here directly supports Seattle’s Black creative voices. You can shop online here. 

Support Black artists at ARTE NOIR, a Central District gallery and retail shop.

Photo courtesy of ARTE NOIR

Need more ideas? This list created by Visit Seattle, Urban League’s Black Business Directory, and this African American Cultural Heritage Guide have you covered.