DoRaleighCity of Raleigh Celebrate Black History Month: Things to See and Do
Events, Exhibits & Historic Landmarks Across the City
This February, Raleigh Parks invites residents and visitors to explore Black History Month programs, exhibits, and historic landmarks that honor the profound contributions of African Americans in Raleigh. From family-friendly celebrations and living history events to trolley tours and museum exhibits, many of these experiences are free and several are available year-round.
Here’s your DoRaleigh guide to what’s happening—and what’s worth visiting—during Black History Month 2026.
Black History Month Events & Exhibits
Celebrate Black History Month at John Chavis Memorial Park
Saturday, February 7 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Ages: All | Cost: Free
505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh
A community-centered celebration featuring food trucks, Black-owned business vendors, activities for kids, bounce houses, arts & crafts, and more. This event is designed to educate, inspire, and bring people together in one of Raleigh’s most historic parks.
Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh
Sunday, February 8 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Ages: All | Cost: Free
John P. Top Greene Community Center
401 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh
An unforgettable evening honoring Raleigh’s living legends—visionaries, trailblazers, and community champions whose work has shaped the cultural, social, and economic life of Black Raleigh.
Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum: Past, Present, and Future
Thursday, February 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Ages: All | Cost: Free
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Learn about new tours and updated exhibits featuring original artifacts from the Pope family, highlighting the legacy of one of Raleigh’s most influential African American families.
Black Superhero Gallery
Friday, February 20 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Ages: All | Cost: Free
City of Raleigh Museum | 220 Fayetteville Street
Discover the history of African American superheroes in comics and film. This event includes a discussion, historic comic book displays, and conversations about representation and storytelling.
Black History Trolley Tour (Oberlin Village)
Saturday, February 21 & Sunday, February 22 | 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM
Ages: All | Cost: $15
Mordecai Historic Park
1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh
Ride the Historic Raleigh Trolley on a special Black History edition highlighting Oberlin Village, with stops including the Historic Turner House and Oberlin Cemetery, exploring themes of freedom, education, and community.
🔔 Tip: Check back throughout the month—additional events may be added.
Historic African American Landmarks in Raleigh
Raleigh is home to numerous parks, cemeteries, and historic sites significant to African American history. Several are listed on local, state, and national historic registers.
John Chavis Memorial Park & Carousel
505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh
Created in 1937 under the Works Progress Administration, this park provided Black families with recreational opportunities during segregation. The historic carousel—still operating today—is one of the few vintage carousels remaining in the region. The park honors John Chavis, a Revolutionary War soldier, educator, and minister.
John P. “Top” Greene Community Center
401 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh
Named for community activist John P. “Top” Greene, this center features exhibits interpreting the history and culture of South Park and East Raleigh neighborhoods.
Latta University Historic Park
1001 Parker Street, Raleigh
Founded in 1892 by Rev. Morgan London Latta, a formerly enslaved educator, Latta University once served over 1,400 students, including orphaned children of formerly enslaved people. Though the original residence was lost in a 2007 fire, the site remains an important landmark.
Mt. Hope Cemetery
120 Prospect Avenue, Raleigh
Established in 1872, Mt. Hope is one of North Carolina’s earliest municipal cemeteries for African Americans. It is the final resting place of prominent figures including Dr. Manassa T. Pope, educator Lucille M. Hunter, and businessman James E. Hamlin.
Pioneers Building at Method Community Park
514 Method Road, Raleigh
Once the agricultural building of Berry O’Kelly High School, the first fully accredited and largest rural high school for African Americans in North Carolina.
Pope House Museum
511 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh
The only African American house museum in North Carolina, offering insight into the life of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope, the only Black man to run for mayor of a Southern capital during the Jim Crow era.
Experience Black History Month in Raleigh
From interactive events to historic spaces you can visit year-round, Raleigh Parks offers meaningful ways to connect with Black history, culture, and community throughout February and beyond.
For daily event guides, cultural highlights, and civic happenings, stay connected with DoRaleigh.com.
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