Black History Month 2023 is here and what an incredible time to celebrate Black culture, community, and excellence in Chicago.
This Black History Month you can expect celebrations to be big, bold, and brave as Chicagoans and neighboring communities in Illinois pay tribute and homage to African-American culture.
Check out the complete guide to Black History Month events and celebrations in Chicago.
Know of an event that didn’t make it to the list? Drop it in the comments below!
Ongoing Black History Month Events in Chicago
On view – April 23rd: Black Creativity Gala at the Museum of Science and Industry
February 1st – 28th: Black History Month at The DuSable
February 2nd – March 4th: Ezekiel’s Wheel at the Greenhouse Theater
February 2nd – April 23rd: Negro Motorist Green Book
February 3rd – 26th: Definition Theatre | Alaiyo: a black american love poem
February 2nd – 28th: Black History Month at the Chicago Public Library
February 4th – 25th: Black History Month Activities for Kids and Families at Garfield Park Conservatory
February 12th – 26th: Annual Chicago Black Restaurant Week
February 23rd – March 12th: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Stevie Wonder Experience” with John-Mark McGaha
February 1st
Black History Month Kick-Off at Bronzeville Mariano’s
February 2nd
Black History Month Talk with “FIGHTING THE POWER” at Chicago State University
Black History Month at Jewel-Osco Beverly
Freedom Fridays at Haji Healing Salon
February 3rd
Black Owners and Entrepreneurs Mixer in the South Loop
February 4th
Black History Month Tours every Saturday with Dilla
Saturday Guided Tours: Historic Former Wabash YMCA, the Birthplace of Black History Month
Artist Meet & Greet with Julius Dorsey at Overflow Coffee
MOB(Moments of Blackness) Part One: A short film and conversation
Opening Reception “On the Black Hand Side ” Group Exhibition
Book Club Run: Three Girls From Bronzeville
Saturday Youth West African Dance Class with Mama Aluna
A Different Vibe : Black Wear Affair
February 5th
Black x Art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Collections Connections with BAMSM and Romi Crawford
African American Speaking Series featuring Dr. Cornel West at St. Sabina Catholic Church
Queer Freaknik at The Promontory
Em and New Comedy Show in Laugh Factory
February 8th
An American Culinary Journey: From Southern Roots to Fusion Flavors
February 7th
Bytes Over Bites: D.R. “Solo” Perry, Founder of Ka-Pow!!
February 9th
Andrea Carlson in Conversation with Clarence Morgan
February 10th
Black is More Than a Color Poetry Night
The Process: In Process Showing & Live Taping
February 11th
What’s Love Got To Do With It: A Candid Discussion On Black Love
The BlkOut: A Tribute to Black Coffee, Culture & Creativity
“Front Porches & Corner Stores” Theatrical Book Launch & Discussion
The Old Fashioned Bar Crawl by Uncle Nearest Whiskey and K. Carlton, inc
And Still I Rise: A Black History Month Celebration
The Black Renaissance by ArtbyKayla
February 12th
Johnson Publishing Library Reading with Dr. Carol Adams
February 15th
Muntu Dance Company of Chicago
February 16th
Filmmaker Talk with Dr. Lindsay Gary
Black History Month Panel: Environmental Justice and Advocating for Equity
Black Businesses Matter Podcast LIVE Event & Pop Up Ball
February 17th
UIC Choral Festival Concert featuring Adrian Dunn
Connecting the Dots, The Bridge to the African Diaspora
Queens of the Policy(Multiple Days) at Harold Washington Cultural Center
February 18th
BLK. Celebration of Everything Black
February 19th
BLACK SUNDAY 2023 A SIB’S Breakfast Club BLACK HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Dark Testament: Blackout Poems with Crystal Simone Smith
February 21st
In Progress with Keyierra Collins at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago
The Soul of Philanthropy Premier Reception
Ch(ART)wells: The Connection Between Food, Art, & Culture
February 22nd
SZA SOS Tour at the United Center
A Night of Nina Simone with Dee Alexander at FSC
February 23rd
Black•tivity: Conversations & Connections with Creatives
Documentary Thursday: The Big Payback
Groundings: Funding Black Visual Arts in Chicago
Black History Month – Industry Mixer
February 24th
Chicago Living Legacies Black History Month Concert
“Category Is Black AF” Poetry Slam
February 25th
Chicago Culture Ball 2023 at Artifact Events
Live Storytelling Event: Spill the Beans & Sip the Coffee
In Our Words: A Black History Month Event
From Slavery to the White House
House Music is Home w Roy Davis Jr, Chosen Fews Terry Hunter, Gene Hunt
February 26th
Buy Black’s BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
FEELING GOOD: A M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tribute To Nina Simone
February 28th
Documentary Screening: The Ida B. Wells Story
