It’s February, which means it’s Black History Month! A time for us to honor culture, highlight history, and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black Americans in the United States, past and present. From local festivals and live music to special exhibitions, there are plenty of ways to honor Black History this month—and beyond in Los Angeles!
1. 6th Annual L.A. Black History Month Festival
Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center have teamed up once again for their 6th Annual Black History Month Festival taking place on February 19, 2023, inside the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex. This year’s event specifically highlights Health & Wellness as well as a focus on Literature. Their programming includes special guest speakers, live music, a book fair, and local vendors! Free to the public.
🗓️ When: February 19, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
📍Location: 5001 Obama Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
2. Bob Marley One Love Experience
Bob Marley was a humanitarian, a revolutionary, and the man most responsible for spreading reggae outside of Jamaica. He was an incredible soul whose legacy endures to this day, and now you can immerse yourself in his world at the Bob Marley One Love Experience. Meditate in the One Love Forest, play in the Beautiful Life zone, dance in the Silent Disco, and place a wish on the One Love Tree. Featuring never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, this exhibit will bring positive vibrations to all Marley fans and honor the legacy of one of the greatest musicians of all time.
🎟️ Tickets: Grab your tickets to the Bob Marley One Love Experience here!
📍Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
3. Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971 Exhibit
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is inviting film buffs to explore their newest exhibition, Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971. Guests will dive into the rich history of Black participation in U.S. cinema from the very beginning to beyond the civil rights movement. Regeneration highlights and brings new life to lost or forgotten films, filmmakers, and performers.
🎟️ Tickets: Grab your tickets to The Academy Museum here!
📍Location: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
4. King Fest By City of Inglewood
The City of Inglewood is hosting its 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, there’ll be food trucks, commercial vendors, interactive games, live performances by notable artists, L.A.’s hottest DJs and more all along Downtown Market Street! Find more info here. (Free to the public.)
🗓️ When: Saturday, February 18, 2023
📍 Location: Along Market Street from Florence Avenue to Hillcrest Boulevard
5-8. Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight Concerts are continuing to blow audiences away at several breathtaking venues across L.A. If you haven’t already been to one of Candlelight’s intimate evenings, then you’re in for a real treat. This month they are highlight some of your Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, and Jazz favorites—all in the charming glow of candlelight.
🎟️Tickets/Dates:
- February 16, 2023: 🎟️ Jazz & The Black Experience
- February 22, 2023: 🎟️ A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
- February 28, 2023: 🎟️ Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites
9. LACMA: Afro-Atlantic Histories
LACMA’s newest exhibition, Afro-Atlantic Histories, charts the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies in the African diaspora. In the museums own words, through a series of dialogues across time, the exhibition features artworks produced in Africa, Europe, and the Americas in the last four centuries to reexamine—from a global perspective—histories and stories of enslavement, resilience, and the struggle for liberation.
📍 Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
🎟️ Tickets: Find LACMA ticket info here!
10. Community Conversations In Corona: Black History Month
The City of Corona is inviting guests to join their Community Conversations: Uplifting Black Voices. Their panel event will highlight the triumphs, challenges, and rich cultural heritage in the Black community. It is a powerful opportunity to build relationships, have real conversations, and learn how Black leaders are shaping Corona’s history today. (Free to the public.)
🗓️ When: February 24, 2023 at at 6:30 p.m.
📍Location: 400 S Vicentia Ave, Corona, CA 92882
11. California African American Museum (CAAM)
Found in Exposition Park, CAAM is one of the first museums consisting of African American art, history, and culture that is fully fully supported by a state. Their vast collection consists of over 5,000 works from the 1800s to the present, and encompasses paintings, photographs, film, sculpture, historical documents, and artifacts. Find more info here!
🎟️Visitor Info: Admission, exhibitions, programs, and events are always free and open to the public.
📍Location: 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
12. Support These 30 Black-Owned Businesses In L.A.
While there are plenty of ways to celebrate Black History Month, shopping from Black-owned businesses year round is a powerful way for communities to connect and grow. L.A. is home to some incredible cafes, vibrant flower shops, creative fashion brands, and more. Check out our list of 30 magnificent Black-owned businesses that you need to know about here!
13. Black History Month Umoja 5k
For this Black History Month, join the local community in person or online for the Umoja 5k race commemorating the past, present and continued Black excellence. Umoja is the first principle of Kwanzaa and represents the power of unity. Allies are welcome!
🏃♂️Registration Info:
🗓️ When:
- In person race is February 25, 2023 at 9 a.m.
- Virtual race takes place from February 19 to 26, 2023
📍Location: 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA US 90293
14. MOLAA: Afro-Latinx Festival
MOLAA is inviting guests to their special Afro-Latinx Festival celebrating the cultural diversity of the Americas and the African influence in Latin America! MOLAA’s Afro-Latinx Festival recognizes the importance of African legacy in Latin America through highlighting food, art workshops, live performances, Afro-Latinx owned businesses, and a live DJ performance.
🎟️ Tickets: Sunday’s are free to the public at MOLAA
🗓️ When: February 26, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍Location: 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
15. Black History Month Festival on Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica Black Lives Association and DTSM, Inc. are combining forces to host an evening of music, conversation and celebration with their very own Celebration & Solidarity: Black History Month Festival, happening along the Third Street Promenade. Guests in attendence are in store for a day of jam-packed entertainment like live musical performances by rapper Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and more! Attendees will also get a chance to enjoy mouth-watering meals from Black-owned restaurants and shop a variety of Black-owned business vendors. This event is also free to the public!
🗓️ When: Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 4 – 10 p.m
📍 Location: Third Street Promenade between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 9040
16. Pasadena Black History Month Parade
The City of Pasadena’s Black History Parade is one of Southern California’s largest and longest-running Black history parades. Following the incredible parade will be a festival taking place at Robinson Park and will feature live bands, dance performances, community booths, guest speakers, food for purchase, and more!
🗓️ When: February 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
📍 Location: The Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival begins at 10 a.m. at Fair Oaks Avenue and Figueroa Drive and ends at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Stay and enjoy the festival at Robinson Park, which runs until 4 p.m.
17. Prosperity Market At CAAM
LA’s very own Prosperity Market mobile market featuring Black farmers and entrepreneurs is hosting its third annual event at CAAM with over 30 local businesses, live activities like live cooking demonstrations, a sound bath and yoga, and more! This event is totally free to enter and open to the public. Attendees can RSVP via Eventbrite here.
🗓️When: February 25 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
📍Location: 600 State Drive Los Angeles, CA 90037