Black History Month is celebrated every February to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
The tradition has roots in Chicago and started in February 1926, years after its founder Carter G. Woodson visited the city in 1915 for Illinois’ 50th anniversary celebration of emancipation.
This year, Chicago has various LGBTQ+ events either celebrating Black History Month or Black people’s contributions and community. From art galleries to drag brunches, DJ sets and more, Windy City Times rounded up 15 ways to get in on the celebration.
Do you know of an event we should add to this list? Email wittichjake@gmail.com.
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Janet Jackson Drag Brunch with Coco Montrese
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Macy’s Walnut Room, 111 N. State St.
The legendary Coco Montrese of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame is starring in this Janet Jackson-themed drag brunch. Tickets are $20-$32 and available here.
Cut-Cuz at Dorothy
10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
DJ Cut-Cuz is helping kick off Black History Month at the popular Ukrainian Village lesbian bar. Tickets are free and can be reserved here.
MAAMEBEATS at Dorothy
9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Dorothy is continuing its Black History Month celebration with a DJ set from Afia aka MAAMEBEATS, who is known for her mix of R&B, reggae, rap, trap, EDM, Afrojazz and more. Tickets are free and can be reserved here.
All the Broken Pieces: The Marissa Miller Documentary
Screening & Panel Discussion
5-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
In honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Center on Halsted is hosting transgender advocate Marissa Miller for a screening of her new documentary, which chronicles her journey as a Black trans woman for stable housing and access to medication. Tickets are free and available here.
Black Affinity Night for Fat Ham
6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
The Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.
Celebrate Black culture and community with a pre-show reception and conversation, followed by the 7:30 p.m. performance of Fat Ham, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet set in the American South. Tickets are going fast and available here. If the Affinity Night sells out, catch Fat Ham anytime during its run through March 11.
Chicago PrimeTimers Open Social – Celebrate Black Culture
5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Ann Sather, 909 W. Belmont Ave.
The February social for Chicago PrimeTimers will honor Black history month by featuring guest speaker Bear Williams, a Chicago-based Blues/Folk artist who will give a historical overview of jazz music’s roots in African American communities. More info can be found here.
DJ Ca$h Era at Dorothy
9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
DJ Ca$h Era, who is Dorothy’s 2025 resident DJ, will spin tunes all night at Dorothy as it continues featuring Black DJs throughout February. Tickets are free and available here.
kamarimou at Dorothy
9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Dorothy’s series of nights featuring Black DJs continues with kamarimou, a DJ and music producer who mixes house, queer anthems and unexpected tracks. Tickets are free and offered here.
Dim Sum and Drag: The Kingdom of Blasia
Noon Saturday, Feb. 22
Furama, 4936 N. Broadway
The popular drag brunch uplifting Asian performers is celebrating Black History Month with a lineup of Asian and Black drag performers. Tickets cost $39.50 and are available here.
Beyoncé Drag Brunch with Shea Couleé
11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
Macy’s Walnut Room, 111 N. State St.
Hometown hero and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shea Couleé is headlining a special Beyoncé-themed drag brunch at the Walnut Room. Tickets cost $20-$40 and can be bought here.
The Afterglow IV – Black History Month Edition
8-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28
Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark St.
The Afterglow, a queer variety show centering queer and trans performers, is honoring Black History Month by featuring a lineup of only Black artists. This is the show’s fourth iteration, presented by the Chicago Therapy Collective. Tickets cost $15 and are available here.
Jazz Brunch and Art Talk
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 1
Center on Cottage Grove, 6323 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Look back on Black History Month while enjoying brunch and a live jazz performance by S@NIC Healing, followed by an art talk by artist Tony Smith. Tickets cost $25 and are available here.
Art Gallery: Rooted in Resilience – Celebrating Black Creativity and Community
Through March 14
Center on Cottage Grove, 6323 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Photographer and filmmaker Tony Smith’s current exhibition at the Center on Cottage Grove celebrates Black musicians, creativity and community. More information can be found here.
We Always Bounce Black: A Black Excellence Comedy Revue
Fridays and Saturdays through March 29
UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave.
This all-Black comedy revue features new songs, sketches and improv celebrating Black joy. Tickets start at $49 and are available here.
Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley
Through March 2
Cortelyou Commons at DePaul University, 2324 N. Fremont St.
Following critically acclaimed runs in New York City and London, this imagining of the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. reaches Chicago on the event’s 60th anniversary. Tickets start at $80 and are available here.