Celebrate Black History Month with These Community Events Across Metro Vancouver

Every February, Black History Month brings a vibrant time to celebrate the heritage, identity and expression of our Black communities. Across Metro Vancouver, there are many ways to join in the occasion and learn about countless different cultures, traditions and art forms. With local Black creatives leading the way, you can easily fill your calendar with stellar art happenings that span mediums like theatre, film, spoken word poetry and fashion. There’s a rich fabric of community and culture to discover, artists to meet and stories to tell. These are just a handful of events to make note of this month where you can appreciate Black expression and support the Black creators of the West Coast.

Feature image photo credit: SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

February 2

A day of rich storytelling and history, this family-friendly event celebrates our Black community and explores the contributions of Black Canadians. Pay what you can and join in the sharing of ideas and heritage. It’s sure to be a wonderfully inclusive way to kick off the month!

February 28 – May 25

With its opening celebration on February 28, this Polygon Gallery exhibit is a great way to close out Black History Month and carry its spirit into the rest of the year via the work of a legendary Nigerian photographer. Beginning his practice in the early 1980s, Rotimi Fani-Kayode’s work refused categorization and cut across cultural codes, gender norms, and artistic traditions. Channeling themes of sexuality, family, immigration, and civil war, Fani-Kayode generated a remarkable body of images over the course of a career cut tragically short by his death in 1989. Tranquility of Communion is the first North American survey of Fani-Kayode’s work and archives and brings together a key series of colour and black-and-white photographs, archival prints and never-before-exhibited works from his student years.

Throughout the month

The VIFF Centre marks Black History Month with a vibrant line-up of live events, guest-curated series, music documentaries, and more. With a showcase of cinematic gems from around the world, this film-centered series of events is full of new discoveries and perspectives.

February 6 – 21

Vancouver Art Gallery presents a series of special programming celebrating Black Futures in Vancouver, Canada and beyond. This month-long series of events focuses on the intersection of art, music, literature, and film. With events like a listening session and a sound bath,  the calendar is filled with interesting ways to learn and engage.

February 12

A live poetry ready at Vancouver Public Library, this evening event spotlights a collection of the medium’s most vibrant Canadian voices. Poets Brandon Wint, fanny kearse, and Adonis King have been sharing their poems in and around Vancouver for years, and with this limited-capacity performance, visitors will have the chance to witness each speaker’s art as they perform powerful works of prose.

February 15

This special event offers a captivating preview of the upcoming African Fashion Week Vancouver, highlighting the rich heritage and modern evolution of African culture through fashion, art, and performance.

Enjoy a stunning runway show featuring African and diaspora designers, and live artistic showcases that will transport you into the heart of Africa. Meet talented artists, connect with a community that celebrates diversity, and experience the fusion of tradition and innovation that defines African fashion and arts.

A warm and welcoming community spot, this Chinatown library is dedicated to sharing the work of Black artists, writers, and performers. Stop by for one of their gatherings to share ideas, listen to speakers and musicians, or just peruse the collection of media dedicated to building unity and championing Black voices.

February 7

The free event features inspirational speakers, food, music and dance, bringing more than 200 guests from Surrey and Metro Vancouver to celebrate Black talent, cultures and achievements in Canada, while creating space for connection and learning.

Throughout the month

Another excellent community gathering spot, this Surrey gallery/library/meeting place has a calendar full of inspiring art and social events no matter the time of year. Open from Thursday to Saturday, the centre welcomes all visitors and encourages conversation, collaboration and curiosity.

February 6 – 8

King Musu employs the African Total Theatre form—a vibrant blend of African storytelling, music, dance, and drama—and offers a memorable, interactive experience for the audience. This innovative approach marks a significant departure from the standard Western realistic theatre you might be used to. Featuring a predominantly African cast, this production promises to deliver a historic and enriching experience that Metro Vancouver likely audiences haven’t seen before!

February 10 – 24

With this series of free workshops, you can learn the art of African drumming, participate in discussions about Black history, and feel the sense of unity that comes with exploring a culture that might be different from your own. There are drumming workshops for adults, youth, and families, so there’s room for all levels to attend and feel the beat!

February 4 – 28

In honour of Black History Month, the SFU Burnaby Library will feature a curated display of art and heritage put together by the university’s Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA). Additionally, the library invites you to explore their extensive catalog of books and movies to learn more about the stories, histories, and experiences of Black Canadians.

February 28

Wrap up the month at Langley’s Trinity Western University with this  celebration concert. Open to all, not just students and faculty, this afternoon of music will have a full choir leading the gathering. There’s nothing quite like a group of voices singing in unison to bring out the energy in a room!