African American Museum Announces Black History Month Event Lineup

PHILADELPHIA — The African American Museum in Philadelphia announced its initial lineup of programming and events in honor of Black History Month.

The 2026 national Black History Month theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations - From Negro History Week to Black History Month," which theme honors 100 years of Black history commemorations since the establishment of Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926.

The museum's slate of programming honors the past through activations celebrating Black history heroes and milestones, while empowering youth to shape the future.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Museum throughout Black History Month for a variety of interactive and educational programming," Ashley Jordan, African American Museum in Philadelphia President and CEO, said. "AAMP will host events throughout February that bring people together to celebrate African American heritage and encourage discussion on the preservation of Black history in the last century and how we’ll continue to commemorate Black history for years to come."

Beloved events such as the Everyday Freedom Heroes event and big game watch party are back for 2026. New events include "Innovation Sprint," where kids take on the roles of startup founders.

Registration for upcoming events is available online here.

This year’s Black History Month programming at AAMP includes the following (in chronological order):

Sunday — Big Game Watch Party at Taller Puertorriqueño

Watch the big game with AAMP at Taller Puertorriqueño. Enjoy food, fun and family activities and watch the game and half-time show performance by Bad Bunny. General admission tickets are $40 and include admission, Puerto Rican and African American cuisine, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Feb. 14 — 52 Weeks of Firsts Celebrates the First Abolitionist Society

During 2026, the Philadelphia Historic District is celebrating 52 Weeks of Firsts that happened in Philly. AAMP will be the host site for the celebration for the first Abolitionist Society in the United States. There will be remarks and free activations at the museum.

Feb. 16 — Innovation Sprint facilitated by Coded by:

Students aged 10-16 are invited to the museum for an Innovation Sprint, facilitated by Coded by:. Students will take on the role of startup founders during this free program and learn how to identify problems, brainstorm innovative solutions, and bring ideas to life. Guests must register for this event by Feb. 12.

Feb. 21 — Film Screening: "I’m Gonna Git You Sucka" in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society

In celebration of the Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design exhibition, AAMP is partnering with the Philadelphia Film Society for a special screening of the 1988 cult classic "I’m Gonna Git You Sucka." The event will highlight the iconic "Flyguy" costume designed by Ruth Carter, which is currently on exhibition at AAMP.

Feb. 22 — Everyday Freedom Heroes Youth Costume Party

AAMP will host its third annual youth costume party designed for children ages 13 and under. Participants are invited to dress as their favorite figure from Black history or any Ruth E. Carter film and participate in a "Wax Museum Activity" where they’ll strike a pose as their historical figure and share fun facts with museum guests. Participants will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes awarded to first-, second-, and third-place winners, and will be judged by a panel of area arts leaders and community partners.

With admission to any of the museum's Black History Month programming at the museum, visitors will also have access to the following featured exhibitions:

• "Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design," which features more than 80 original costumes from two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. The exhibition displays Carter’s , personal sketches and ephemera along with costumes from "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," "Coming 2 America," "Black Panther," "Roots" (2016), "Selma, "Amistad," "Malcolm X," "Do the Right Thing," "Shaft," "Lee Daniel’s the Butler," and for the first time in the traveling exhibition, the Oscar-nominated costumes from 2025 hit "Sinners."
• "Sailing to Freedom," a historical exhibition that collectively expands our understanding of how African Americans have pursued life, liberty, and happiness in and outside of America. The exhibition, originally curated at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, features storyboards which demonstrate the skills and methods that Black individuals used to liberate themselves by water and includes statements Black individuals were able to make when safely beyond the reach of United States law and violence.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance registration is recommended for visitors.