February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black history, culture, and voices that shape Austin. From historic walking tours to local events, we are highlighting family friendly ways to learn, explore, and celebrate together.
Ideas for Celebrating Black History Month
Family-Friendly Events:
Check here for more Black History Month events in the Austin metro area!
— Folktales from Africa: Storytelling with Elizabeth Kahura @ Austin Public Library Little Walnut Creek Branch
Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 10 am – 11 am | FREE
Enjoy Austin Public Library’s Folktales from Africa: Storytelling with Elizabeth Kahura. There will be music and games, fun audience interaction, and more.
— Black History Month Celebration with Honey Made @ Meanwhile Brewing
Saturday, Feb. 21 | Noon | FREE
Celebrate Black History Month with an afternoon of community, culture, and great food. This event features a vendor market highlighting Black creators and business owners, free live music from local soul and R and B band Honey Made, and special food and drink offerings throughout the day. From noon to 5 pm, browse the market, then stick around for live music from 3:30 to 5 pm. Distant Relatives will be serving up Afro Brazilian churrasco with Chef Junior Borges, along with a limited beer collaboration available in the taproom to celebrate their five year anniversary. It is a great way to support local Black owned businesses and celebrate together.
— Black History Month Kids’ Day @ George Washington Carver Museum
Saturday, Feb. 28 | 11 am – 3 pm | FREE with RSVP here
Celebrate Black History Month with a full day of free, family friendly fun at the Carver Museum. This kid-focused event features hands on activities, arts and crafts, performances, interactive workshops, and a Black vendors market, all designed to help young minds learn and explore through play. With programming happening throughout the museum, theater, and outdoor spaces, it is an engaging and meaningful way for families to celebrate together. Free and open to all.
— HBCU Day 2026 @ George Washington Carver Musuem
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 11 am – 4 pm | FREE and open to the public – focused on 8-12 graders
HBCU Day at the Carver Museum offers middle and high school students a chance to explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities all in one place. This free event features panels, workshops, and representatives from HBCUs across the country, along with information on programs, financial aid, and application support. While open to all, the day is especially valuable for 8th through 12th graders who are starting to think about college and career paths.
— Rise: Freedom Communities Festival @ Pease Park
Sunday, March 29 | 2 pm – 5 pm| FREE
Gather at Pease Park for RISE, an afternoon celebrating Austin’s Black freedom communities through music, activities, food, and community conversation. Families are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of learning, connection, and shared history in the park. The festival takes place Sunday, March 29 from 2 pm to 5 pm, with more details to come.
Cultural Institutions: The following are wonderful places to learn about the history of local culture. They also offer engaging programming for families throughout the year:
— George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center: Visit the backyard space, known as Freedom Plaza, which is home to a wonderful, outdoor Juneteenth Memorial Sculpture that is open to the public to explore. This local institution works to “create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated.” This is a great place to take the whole family to learn about local Black culture and history through story times, concerts, workshops, and exhibits, mostly offered at no cost to the public. Stay tuned to the Carver Museum website for updates on all of their events.
— Six Square: Austin’s Black Cultural Historic District comprises six square miles of East Austin, and is home to numerous sites of significance featuring landmarks of Black architecture and design, historic cemeteries, sites of slavery and emancipation, churches, and more.
— Austin History Center: As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center offers a wealth of information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. Virtually, you can access interesting collections and suggested reading on many aspects of Black history in our area. They include collections about freedman communities, gentrification in Austin, an online exhibit about protests and demonstrations, a collection of photographs from The Villager newspaper, and much more. Check here for Austin History Center’s in-person hours.
— African American Cultural and Heritage Facility: The African American Cultural and Heritage Facility adds to the area’s cultural significance by offering arts, business, cultural and entertainment programming. Also check @AACHFAustin Facebook page for upcoming events.
— Huston-Tillotson University: This was the first institution of higher learning in Austin. In 1878, Samuel Huston College moved to Austin from Dallas, where the Ku Klux Klan had burned down its building. Huston-Tillotson College was formed by the merger of Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College, which was effective on October 24, 1952. Today, the university’s Office of Civic Engagement and Community Outreach provides wonderful activities from theatrical productions, guest lecturers, and summer camps. You can visit htu.edu for information about any community programming to come.
Visiting Historical Landmarks & Murals
Austin is home to several historical landmarks reflective of African American history. Taking a tour offers a great opportunity for you to research, discuss, and honor how Black Americans have helped shape Austin. For some places to help you map out your tour, check out this list of Austin’s African American Landmarks. The following are also great resources to help you plan where to get out and explore Austin’s history.
— Self-Guided Walking Tour of East Austin: Designed by the United Way of Greater Austin for MLK Jr. Day of Service, this great resource can be used for any day of the year. Click here for a map of a 3-mile walking tour. And take note that parking is free in their lot this month only during your walking tour.
— Black Austin Tours: Discover the vibrant history of Austin’s Black community by visiting historical landmarks and current Black-owned businesses. Guests on this experience will gain factual knowledge of Austin’s history and have a list of businesses to support on their next visit to Texas’ Capitol City. Learn more here and book your tour.
— Black History Bike Ride: Black History Bike Ride is a part of Six Square’s non-profit incubator program that offers several bike routes that explore Austin’s Black historical landmarks. Click here for more info.
— Texas African American History Memorial: The monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds is open to the public, and a great place to visit with kids. Sculpted by Ed Dwight, this traces the history of African Americans from the 1500s to the present and includes representations of heroes such as Texas Revolutionary fighter Hendrick Arnold to leaders such as Barbara Jordan. The central portion of the memorial dramatically depicts Juneteenth in Texas: June 19, 1865, when African Americans were freed from the bonds of slavery.
— Black Legacy Mural Project: Adding to Austin’s impressive collection of street art, the Black Legacy Project has contributed some wonderful murals to our city that pay homage to the culture and history of Austin’s Black community. This public art program and fundraising campaign aims to empower our community through education and inspiration. Click here to learn more.
More to Explore:
thank you for sharing these amazing resources and events. I definitely plan to attend and visit!