Black History Month In Hampton Roads (updated)

Here is our BIG LIST of local family events in honor of Black History Month in Hampton Roads. These programs are for a variety of age groups.

If you know of an event that should be added to this list please Submit the Information HERE.

Black History Month in Hampton Roads

All Month Long & Multi-Day Events

Black History Now 2023 (Portsmouth)
Dates: January 1-March 31, 2023
Description: Join the Portsmouth Museums and the Portsmouth Public Libraries as we celebrate Black History Now through a series of events, programs, lectures, family friendly activities, and more. Topics relate to current museum exhibitions and highlight local people and history.

Buildings and Business: The Landscape of African Americans in the East End of Newport News at Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center (Newport News)
Dates: February 2 – 25, 2023. Thursday – Saturday 10am-5pm.
Description: In celebration of Black History Month, the Newsome House presents the historical exhibit “Buildings and Business: The Landscape of African Americans in the East End of Newport News.” The exhibit explores the important role of African Americans in the physical and cultural development of the East End of Newport News as business leaders, labor organizers, and workers in key industries as well as builders of landmarks including First Baptist Church Newport News, Whittaker Hospital, and the Moton Theater.

Free Admission to Norfolk Botanical Garden (Norfolk)
Dates: Thursdays in February 2023: February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2023
Description: Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) celebrates Black History Month by offering Free Admission Thursdays in February.

Rooting for the Home Team: Portsmouth’s Black Baseball Players, Promotors & Parks (Portsmouth)
Date: Fridays & Saturdays in 2023 from 12-4pm

Hampton Black History Driving Tour (Hampton)
Description: Celebrate Black History Month by taking a driving tour that highlights more than 400 years of rich African American history in Hampton. The 400 Years Forward Driving Tour explores heritage sites throughout the city, including Fort Monroe National Monument, the Emancipation Oak, Aberdeen Gardens, the Little England Chapel, the Tucker family cemetery, and the Hampton History Museum.

The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity (Online)
Description: Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans. The cultures and experiences of Americans of African descent are vital to the nation’s history. This history provides powerful insight into the diversity, identity and representation of the Black family. These stories can be found at Virginia State Parks.

Black History Month with Chesapeake Public Library (Online)
Description: Be inspired to dream and win this year as you reflect on the contributions of resilient African American visionaries. Take part in celebratory events or use our recommended resources to accomplish your personal and professional goals.

Black History Month with Virginia Beach Public Library (Virginia Beach & Online)
Description: Scavenger Hunt (Princess Anne) and to-go kit for digital program to be held all month online.

Creative Corner: African Paper Beads at Suffolk Public Libraries (Suffolk)
Date: All February long
Description: Paper beads made from recycled materials are one of the oldest crafts done on the African continent. In Celebration of Black History Month, make your own colorful African paper beads made from magazines. The African paper bead-making stations are located at the Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk locations. Drop in and make your own anytime during the Library’s regular hours. All supplies provided. For all ages.

Afrofuturism Film Festival at Bayside & Special Services Library (Virginia Beach)
Dates: Tuesdays, February 7, 21 & 28, 2023 from 3-5:30pm

African American History Bus Tour (Chesapeake)
Dates: February 11 & February 18, 2023 at 9am.
Spend a Saturday morning with Parks, Recreation, and Tourism staff learning about African American history in Chesapeake. Together we will explore local sites and discuss legendary heroes such as the Cornland School, Billy Flora, and more. (Free) Registration required

STEAM Studio Black Scientists & Artists Series at Children’s Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Date: Saturdays & Sundays thru February 26, 2023 from 10am-12pm & 2-3pm
Description: Discover African American scientists and their significant contributions during the month of February. Their profiles will be featured throughout the 2nd floor and experiments related to their work will be highlighted in S.T.E.M. Studio each weekend.

Black Girl Magic with Hurrah Players (Norfolk)
Date: February 17-19, 2023

Upcoming Single-Day Events

February Discovery Day – African American Scientists and Inventors Discovery Day – Nauticus & The Battleship Wisconsin (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 ($7.57 admission day)

StoryWalk®: The Undefeated at Pungo-Blackwater Library (Virginia Beach)
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9am-3pm

Dylan Pritchett – Essential African Threads at Indian River Library (Chesapeake)
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 12-1pm

Seatack Black History Month Celebration (Virginia Beach)
Date, Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 1-2:30PM

Black History Month – Ruby Heart at Painting with a Twist (Chesapeake)
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 2-4pm

A Legendary Black History Gospel Praise Festival (Chesapeake)
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 4-9pm

Cornland School Open House (Chesapeake)
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 10am-12pm

The Women Behind the Women (Online)
Date: February 28, 2023 at 11am

African American Genealogy at Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library (Norfolk)
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 12pm

Crystal Sessoms – A Musical Tribute to Our Ancestors at Major Hillard Library (Chesapeake)
Date: February 28, 2023 at 7pm

Previous Events 

Coretta: A Legacy of Love at Indian River Library (Chesapeake)
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 5:30-7pm

Tickle My Ears: The Year We Learned to Fly at Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk)
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 10:30am

The Essence of Heart & Soul Festival at Slover Library (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1-5pm

Contraband Camps on the Virginia Peninsula at Newport News Park (Newport News) 
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 2-3pm

Bobby Blackhat Band at Portsmouth Main Library (Portsmouth)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 2-4pm

Art, History and Resistance in Hampton Roads at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 3pm

A Celebratory Recital of Voice at Chrysler Museum (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 3-4pm

Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers (Virginia Beach)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 7:30-9pm

History Speaks: The Struggle for Freedom at Moses Myers House (Norfolk)
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 1pm

Virginia Chorale presents “Lift Every Voice: Music of Black Women Composers” (Norfolk)
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 4-6pm

Celebrate Black History with a Movie: Harriet at MEO Central Library (Virginia Beach) 
Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from5:30-7:30pm

Black History Month Poetry and Brunch with Vivian T. Parker & Featured Artists at Park Place Library (Norfolk)
Date: February 10, 2023 from 12-2pm Registration required

U-Nite: Resistance & Reflection at Barry Art Museum (Norfolk)
Date: Friday, February 10, 2023 from 5-8pm

LiveArt K-2: Alma Thomas at Princess Anne Library (Virginia Beach)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 10:30am

Buffalo Soldiers – A Black History Month Celebration at Major Hillard Library (Chesapeake)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11am

We Stand for Justice: A Salute to African American Heroes of Newport News at Main Street Library (Newport News)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 11am-12:30pm

Black Superhero Showcase at Grissom Library (Newport News)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 1-2pm

An Underground River: African American History along the ERT in Waterside Marina (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 1:30-3pm

Hampton Trailblazers – Women Who Made a Difference at Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center (Hampton)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 3-5pm

Afro MANIA: Ethiopia! (Virginia Beach)
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 2-4:30pm

Cirque Zuma Zuma (Virginia Beach)
Date: February 12, 2023 at 7pm

Homeschool: Follow the Drinking Gourd at the Virginia Living Museum (Newport News)
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 10am

Dance, Ngoma, Baile (Norfolk)
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 4:30pm

Author Talk: Dr. Martha M. Williams – African Americans and the Norfolk Botanical Gardens at Major Hillard Library (Chesapeake)
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7pm

Snapshots in Black History – A TRS Production at Slover Library (Norfolk)
Date: Friday, February 17, 2023 from 7-9pm

Black and Super: A Celebration of Black Heroes and Comic Creators at Morgan Memorial Library (Suffolk)
Date: February 18, 2023 from 10am-1pm

The Real John Henry: Lecture and Activities at Lee Hall Depot (Newport News)
Date: February 18, 2023 from 10am-4pm.  Lecture at 2pm.

Essential African Threads at Hampton History Museum (Hampton)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11am

Africa’s Kingdoms and Maritime Cultures: Ancient Mali at the Mariner’s Museum (Newport News)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11am

Andalo’s Library at the Children’s Museum (Portsmouth)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11am, 1pm & 2pm

Cupcakes and Lemonade at Portsmouth Public Library (Portsmouth)
Date: February 18, 2023 from 11am-4pm

Annual Black History Month Program at Buffalow Community Pantry (Chesapeake)
Date: February 18, 2023 from 12-2pm

Talking Drums at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library (Norfolk)
Date: February 18, 2023 from 1-3pm

Black Artists Tour (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 2-3pm

Black Spies During the Civil War at Newport News Park (Newport News) 
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 2-3pm

Black History Expo at Portsmouth Main Library (Portsmouth)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 2-4pm

I. Sherman Greene Chorale presents “Salute to Black Composers” (Norfolk)
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 6-8pm

Sunday Makebreak: Black Heritage Art (Hampton Roads)
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 2-4pm

Cuffeytown 13: A Buffalo Soldiers’ Tale at South Norfolk Memorial Library (Chesapeake)
Date: February 19, 2023 at 2pm

Teen Trivia Night: Black History Month at Princess Anne Library (Virginia Beach)
Date: February 20, 2023 at 530pm Registration required

Pride in Black Voices: A Tribute to Frederick Douglass (Portsmouth)
Date: February 21, 2023 from 11am & 7pm

Celebrate Black History with a Movie: Green Book at MEO Central Library (Virginia Beach)
Date: February 21, 2023 at 5:30pm Registration required

Black History Program at the Y. H. Thomas Community Center (Hampton)
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 6-8pm