Triangle Event Guide: Black History Month Edition (2026) — Events Across The Triangle

February is Black History Month, and across the Triangle — including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Carrboro, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, and surrounding communities — organizations are hosting programs that celebrate Black culture, history, arts, resilience, and community leadership.

This curated guide highlights major events, educational opportunities, performances, cultural festivals, and family-friendly activities happening throughout the month.

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Early Kickoff Events

January 31, 2026

Musical Storytime: Celebrating Tina Turner

11:00 AM–12:00 PM | FREE

Liberation Station Bookstore — Raleigh

Living in Color Exhibit Opening Reception

1:00–3:30 PM | FREE

Chapel at Dix Park — Raleigh

February 1–7 Highlights

February 1

Living in Color Artist Exhibit — Dix Park (FREE) Breach of Peace Performance (Apex Black History Month Series) — FREE Black History Month Concert (Carrboro) — FREE

February 2

A Century of Black History Commemorations

Carrboro | FREE

Educational discussion featuring historians and cultural leaders.

February 4

Senior Black History Bingo

Carrboro | FREE

February 6

Hayti Heritage Center Trip (Carrboro) Black History Walking Tour — Wake Forest (FREE) SoulFULL Celebrations Cooking Demo — Cary (FREE)

February 7

Major celebration day featuring:

Black History Month Celebration — John Chavis Memorial Park (Raleigh) Stagville Historic Site Freedom Tours (Multiple Times) Duke Homestead History Tours Liberation Listening Session — Raleigh

Mid-Month Cultural Events

February 9

Black History Commemorations Discussion Series

Carrboro | FREE

February 12

Black History Trivia Night

Apex Senior Center | FREE

February 13

Wake Forest Black History Walking Tour

FREE

Valentine’s Weekend + Cultural Programming

February 14

Duke Homestead Tours (FREE) Living in Color Exhibit — Dix Park Jazz, R&B & Funk Concert — Cary Arts Center

February 15

Highlights include:

A Raisin in the Sun Film Screening — Cary Theater Black History Theater Production — Carrboro Community Concert Programming — Carrboro

Arts, Film & Cultural Conversations (Feb 19–22)

February 19

The Color Purple Screening

Cary Theater

February 20

Wake Forest Walking Tour Black Superhero Gallery — City of Raleigh Museum

February 21

Major highlights:

Bill Traylor Art Programs — Cary Spades Tournament — Apex Black History Trolley Tour — Raleigh Emancipation Day Program — Historic Oak View Book Harvest Celebration — Durham

February 22

Living History Event — Carrboro Performance: Indivisible by Dr. Sonny Kelly Black History Concert Series

Late-Month Events & Cultural Celebrations

February 24

Art Cart Inspired by Black History

Downtown Cary Park | FREE

February 27

Black Expressions Art Exhibit Reception — Holly Springs Black & Nerdy Gamers Community Night — Cary Live Performance Showcase — Holly Springs

Major Finale Events: February 28

Key Highlights Include:

25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration

North Carolina Museum of Art — Raleigh

FREE festival with performances, storytelling, vendors, panels, and cultural programming.

For the Culture Food Truck Festival

Durham Central Park

FREE community festival celebrating Black food, culture, and entrepreneurship.

Black History Month Celebration — Southeast Raleigh YMCA

FREE community event highlighting culture and contributions.

Additional programming includes:

Youth Advocacy Summit — Cary Health & Wellness Fair — Carrboro Historic Tours at Duke Homestead Living in Color Exhibit Finale Willie Hinton Collection Performance — Cary Arts Center

Why Black History Month Matters in the Triangle

The Triangle has a deep legacy of:

Civil rights leadership Black entrepreneurship Historically Black neighborhoods and institutions Arts, music, and cultural innovation Educational excellence and advocacy

Events throughout the month provide opportunities to:

✔ Learn local history

✔ Support Black artists and businesses

✔ Engage in cultural dialogue

✔ Celebrate community achievements

✔ Inspire future generations

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Town of Cary Black History Month Events Guide 2026

Food, Music, Film, Art & Community Programs All Month Long

Cary is going big for Black History Month 2026 with a month-long lineup of live music, educational performances, film screenings, art exhibits, cooking demos, youth leadership programming, and community gatherings—hosted across the Cary Arts Center, Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Downtown Cary Park, and The Cary Theater.

If you’re looking for meaningful ways to celebrate, learn, and connect—this guide has you covered.

Highlights to Bookmark

Live music + legends (Jazz, R&B, Funk) Food + culture (Cooking demo with soulful, healthier twists) Film + conversation (Classic cinema, documentaries, and a featured guest talk) Art + exhibitions (Free gallery shows + hands-on activities) Youth leadership (A summit for ages 8–18)

Events at Cary Arts Center

A Night of Jazz, R&B and Funk with Chip Shearin

Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Cary Arts Center | 101 Dry Avenue, Cary

$35–$40

Celebrate Black History Month with a powerful night of live music led by a genre-spanning bassist whose career connects hip-hop history, legendary touring, and major cultural institutions.

The Willie Hinton Collection — RISE: The Story of Love and Resilience

Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Cary Arts Center | 101 Dry Avenue, Cary

$14–$20

An interactive, educational multimedia performance blending dance, theater, and music—exploring resilience, mental health, spiritual well-being, and self-care through the power of the arts.

Youth Advocacy Summit (Ages 8–18)

Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Cary Arts Center | 101 Dry Avenue, Cary

FREE (Registration Required)

Calling young changemakers: hands-on workshops, panels, and activities focused on storytelling for social impact, civic engagement, collaboration, and community care.

Events at Page-Walker Arts & History Center

Christopher Evans: “Within the Light—Finding the Balance”

January 7 – March 7, 2026

Page-Walker Arts & History Center | 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary

FREE

A personal, emotionally driven exhibition by a North Carolina native—artwork rooted in childhood, culture, and community, encouraging viewers to experience freely and feel deeply.

Events at Downtown Cary Park

Cooking Demo: SoulFULL Celebrations (with Chef Amelia Irene)

Friday, February 6, 2026 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Downtown Cary Park | 327 S Academy Street, Cary (Academy Pavilion)

FREE (Registration Required)

A nostalgic, joy-filled cooking demo featuring a signature mocktail, dips, and updated 70’s party classics—plus a conversation on food, tradition, and memory.

The Future of Black History: “The Brilliance of Resilience”

Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Downtown Cary Park | 327 S Academy Street, Cary (Academy Pavilion)

FREE

A powerful afternoon of reflection and inspiration featuring keynote speaker Yohuru Williams, exploring resilience, legacy, and the living future of Black history.

Art Cart Inspired by Black History

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Downtown Cary Park | 327 S Academy Street, Cary (Academy Pavilion)

FREE

Drop in for free crafts and creativity—great for kids and families, with supplies provided and plenty of room to make something meaningful.

Game Night with Black and Nerdy Gamers (BANG)

Friday, February 27, 2026 | 6:00 – 10:00 PM

Downtown Cary Park | 327 S Academy Street, Cary (Academy Pavilion)

FREE

Trivia, music bingo, and nerdy favorites—celebrating Black culture with a fun, community-first vibe.

Events at The Cary Theater

A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM

The Cary Theater | 122 E Chatham Street, Cary

$8.53

A landmark drama following the Younger family as they navigate grief, opportunity, and conflicting visions of the American Dream—starring Sidney Poitier.

The Color Purple (1985)

Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM

The Cary Theater | 122 E Chatham Street, Cary

$8.53

An epic story of survival and transformation starring Whoopi Goldberg, based on the novel by The Color Purple.

Mornings with the Arts Film Series — Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts

Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM

The Cary Theater | 122 E Chatham Street, Cary

$8.53

A moving documentary on the life and legacy of Bill Traylor, whose work emerged late in life and captured memory, change, and community.

Art Class Inspired by Bill Traylor

Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM

The Cary Theater | 122 E Chatham Street, Cary

$13.99

Study Traylor’s visual storytelling style, then create your own cardboard painting. Materials provided.

A Conversation & Book Signing with Mark Curry

Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM

The Cary Theater | 122 E Chatham Street, Cary

$16.78

An unfiltered talk on music industry realities, memoir, and life during the golden era of Bad Boy Records, including reflections tied to documentary work with Netflix.

Double-check before you head out

Event details can change—especially registration requirements, capacity limits, or start times. Confirm the latest info on the Town of Cary’s event pages and venue listings before leaving home.

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