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February is Black History Month. Check out these free New York events.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Jill Webb
Published Feb 1, 2026
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Courtesy of the mayor's office
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Jill Webb
Published Feb 1, 2026
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It is Black History Month and New York City is offering free programming throughout February to learn more about influential local African-Americans.
To kick off the month’s festivities, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Sunday that admission to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens, will be free on Saturday, Feb. 7. The museum is in the house where the iconic trumpeter and artist once lived with his wife, Louise Wilson.
The Mamdani administration said the free day to visit will ensure Black history is “accessible to all New Yorkers.”
“As we begin Black History Month, I’m inspired by the museum's commitment to opening its doors wide and inviting every New Yorker to experience the enduring achievements of a great jazz pioneer, American icon, and long-time New Yorker,” Mamdani said in a statement.
It’s just one of many free events New Yorkers can participate in this month:
Monday, Feb. 2: Long Island City branch of the Queens Public Library is offering a history of Black weaving class — scheduled for 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3: The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is hosting a live conversation between Black vintage collectors and archivists to discuss how they preserve Black history with heirlooms and objects — from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4: The Bronx’s Allerton Library is holding a Black History Month story time on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14: NYC Parks is hosting a tour of Central Park about the lives of Seneca Village residents in the 1800s, a predominantly Black neighborhood before it became the park, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21: New York Road Runners Black History Month community-led 5K “Open Run” for runners and walkers of all abilities starting at 9 a.m. in Highland Park.
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black history month
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Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Jill Webb
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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