What's on during Black History Month 2025 in Montreal

Black History Month returns for its 34th edition in Montreal, and with such force that we're thinking February ought to always celebrate resilience, culture, and history first. Packed with art, music, film, literature, and discussions that honour the richness of Black identity and contributions, this collection of events promises impactful moments.

The theme this year, All That We Carry (Tout ce que nous sommes), underscores the weight of history, the depth of legacy, and the vibrancy of community.

Here’s a rundown of events you don’t want to miss, both in February and throughout the year ahead.

Feb. 1: Kicking Things Off

Get On Up: The Life of James Brown 

The Godfather of Soul comes to the big screen at the Grande Bibliothèque – BAnQ. Chadwick Boseman delivers an electrifying performance as James Brown, chronicling his rise from poverty to musical superstardom. Stick around for a post-screening discussion led by a film specialist. 

Drôle d’Identité – Emmanuel Nwogbo 

Lagos meets LaSalle in this provocative digital collage exhibition. Emmanuel Nwogbo dissects Nigerian history and the global Black experience with pop culture, irony, and Afrobeat influences. Centre culturel et communautaire Henri-Lemieux

Tribute to the Poetry of Jacques Roumain 

A deep dive into the poetic works of Haitian writer and activist Jacques Roumain. The evening includes a lecture, readings, and a discussion on his impact at Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal,

Soul Motown Disco Night with Michelle Sweeney 

Montreal’s queen of soul brings the house down with anthems from Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and more at Le Balcon.

Live Painting: Alexander Grant Tribute 

Artists capture the life and activism of Alexander Grant in real time, fusing paint and storytelling. It's happening at Afromusée.

Feb. 4–10: Music, Film, and Hip-Hop

Ayana O’Shun’s La Fête des Pères (Feb. 4)

World premiere of Ayana O’Shun’s documentary, exploring fatherhood in Black communities. Discussion with the filmmaker follows, all at Cinéma du Musée.

The Origins of Hip-Hop in Quebec (Feb. 5)

Hip-hop scholar Vladimir Delva traces the genre’s journey from Little Burgundy to the province’s mainstream. Screening at Bibliothèque Réjean-Ducharme.

Sounds & Pressure: Reggae in Montreal (Feb. 7)

A full-on reggae immersion, featuring a film screening, an exhibition on sound-system culture, and a DJ set at the National Film Board headquarters.

Afropolitain Nomade Show (Feb. 15–16)

Artists from around the world converge for a musical and creative residency at McCord Stewart Museum.

Feb. 12–18: Theatre, Classical Music, and Hockey Dreams

Vierge by Black Theatre Workshop (Feb. 12–March 2)

A coming-of-age play about faith, teenagehood, and Congolese-Canadian identity. See at the Segal Centre.

Distant Echoes of Africa (Feb. 6)

A classical music concert at Pierre-Mercure Hall spotlighting Afro-descendant composers, featuring soprano Suzanne Taffot and conductor Kalena Bovell. 

The Draft by Jephté Bastien (Feb. 18)

A gripping drama about race, ambition, and the realities of Black athletes in Quebec screened at Cinéma du Musée.

Feb. 20–26: Dance, Theatre, and Repatriation

Step Afrika! (Feb. 23)

One of the world’s premier African-American dance troupes brings its electrifying show to Montreal's Théâtre Maisonneuve.

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical (Feb. 4–9)

The Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll’s life and legacy come alive on stage at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.

Dahomey by Mati Diop (Feb. 26)

A film about the long-overdue return of looted royal treasures to Benin. Discussion on art repatriation follows at the McCord Stewart Museum.

Beyond February: Legacy and Recognition

Festival Fade to Black (February 4–8)

Festival Fade to Black returns until Feb 8, celebrating Black voices in film, music, and art with screenings, live performances, and panel discussions across Montreal.

Festival International du Film Black de Montréal (April 3–13)

The Fabienne Colas Foundation celebrates two decades of amplifying Black filmmakers.

Oscar Peterson’s 100th Birthday (August 15)

Commemorating Montreal’s jazz icon and his indelible mark on music and civil rights.

The Underground Comedy Railroad Tour (Feb. 2)

Canada’s only all-Black comedy tour makes a stop at The Comedy Nest.

More ways to engage

Literary Readings & Talks

Lectures LOGOS Readings (Feb. 10) hosts award-winning authors and human rights advocates for a night of storytelling and discussion. UNIA Hall, Little Burgundy

History & Community Conversations

Historian Dorothy Williams leads a talk on jazz-era Black Montreal at Afromusée (Feb. 8).

Music & Club Nights

Weekly hip-hop, disco, and R&B jam sessions at O Patro Vys and Turbo Haüs.

Carrying the story forward

Serving as a reminder that history isn’t confined to books, but something that lives in music, in movement, in the voices that refuse to be silenced, Montreal’s Black History Month has a lot more going on than what we've highlighted here.

Whether you’re stepping into a theatre, vibing at a concert, or sitting in on a discussion, these moments are part of something bigger. As the theme suggests, All That We Carry isn’t just about the past—it’s about how we honour, shape, and share it moving forward.

More details & full schedule at Mois de l'histoire des noirs.