Downtown Houston Honors Black History Month with Music, Dance & More

January 31, 2025

This February, Downtown Houston comes alive with celebrations of Black history, culture, and achievement.

From vibrant dance performances and jazz concerts to thought-provoking lectures and interactive experiences, discover the many ways to honor Black History Month in the heart of Houston.

Downtown Houston+ Signature Events

Join us for two special evenings celebrating the richness of African and African American culture through music, dance, art and storytelling.

Black History Month Celebration at Trebly Park
Friday, February 7 – 6pm to 8pm

Get ready for an evening of rhythm and culture! Dance Afrikana presents African Arts: The Re-Education Project, where you'll discover the rich artistic traditions of Africa through hands-on creation. Design your own tie-dye patterns, craft intricate beaded jewelry and create masks that tell stories of ancient traditions.

Later in the evening, let the beats of a live DJ move you before Kucheza Ngoma Dance Company takes the stage at 7pm with their spectacular Pan-African Passport. This heart-pounding performance connects the dots between traditional West African rhythms and modern dance, showing how African beats and movements transformed as they crossed oceans to influence Caribbean and American dance styles.

Black History Month Celebration at Market Square Park
Friday, February 21 – 6pm to 8pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Black excellence through art and storytelling. Begin your journey with Dance Afrikana's interactive art stations, where creative expression meets cultural education. While a DJ spins soulful sounds, you'll have the chance to explore various African-inspired art forms and crafts.

The highlight of the evening is Celebrating Black History: From Ancient Africa to Today—a special performance weaving together spoken word, music and dance. Experience the powerful narratives of Black history as Houston Poet Laureates Deborah DEEP Mouton and Emanuelee "Outspoken" Bean pay tribute to influential figures from Queen Nefertiti to Duke Ellington and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. This innovative showcase bridges millennia of Black achievement, bringing historical legends and modern pioneers to life through artistic expression.

More Black History Month Events in Downtown

Throughout Downtown, you can find an inspiring array of Black History Month events all month long—from a special night of sports to historical tours and artistic performances.

African American Read-In: Community Literacy Event at Houston Public Library | Saturday, February 1; Noon to 1:30pm – Join this nationwide celebration of Black literature where community members share and explore powerful works by Black authors. Bring your favorite book to read or simply listen and be inspired.
Career Fair at Toyota Center | Saturday February 1; 2pm to 5pm – Connect with industry professionals at this pre-game career fair hosted by Black Sports Professionals Houston Chapter, exploring opportunities in the sports industry.
Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets at Toyota Center | Saturday, February 1; 7pm – Kick off Black History Month with a special night of performances and tributes as the Rockets face off against the Brooklyn Nets.
Author Talk: Dr. Wendy Okolo at Houston Public Library | Tuesday, February 4; 11am to noon – Meet groundbreaking NASA aerospace engineer Dr. Wendy Okolo as she discusses her memoir about becoming the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from UT Arlington.
A Little Day Music: Celebrating Black History Month at Wortham Theater Center | Wednesday, February 5; noon – Enjoy a free lunchtime concert featuring DaCamera Young Artists performing works by Black composers including Adolphus Hailstork, Mason Bynes and Billie Holiday.
Visit Houston's Elevated Black History Tours at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, February 8 & 22; 10am – Experience Houston's Black history through dramatic performances at three historic UNESCO Sites of Memory, featuring powerful reenactments of enslavement and emancipation stories.
Lunch & Learn: Dr. Caleb McDaniel at The Heritage Society | Thursday, February 20; noon to 1pm – Rice University historian Dr. McDaniel discusses Houston's slavery history through newly discovered documents, including evidence of an individual enslaved by the university's founder.
Jazzy Sundays Kickoff at Discovery Green | Sunday, February 23; 5pm to 7pm – Launch the free Jazzy Sundays series with a journey through jazz history, from ragtime to bebop, honoring legends like Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday.
Urban Souls Dance Company: The Black Agenda at The Hobby Center | Thursday, February 27 & Friday, February 28; 8pm – Celebrate Urban Souls Dance Company's 20th anniversary with this dynamic performance exploring the Black experience through original choreography and storytelling.

Discover more Black History in Downtown

Explore more of Downtown Houston's Black heritage through our features on local legends like Reverend Jack Yates, the origins of Black History Month, historic institutions like Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and stories of contemporary trailblazers including Black-owned businesses like Pur Noire Urban Winery.