Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations to honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Here’s what Belleville has planned to celebrate Black History Month this year.
A pop-up exhibit titled Portraits of Black History in Belleville will be featured at various locations across the city all month.
Portraits of Black History in Belleville explores the stories of Black individuals who were enslaved and brought to the area in the late 1700s by United Empire Loyalists, and those who chose to migrate to Belleville and establish roots starting in the 1800s. These stories, mostly shaped by colonial perspectives, come from local historical records and archival sources.
- Feb. 2-8 – City Hall (169 Front St.)
- Feb. 9-15 – Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre (265 Cannifton Rd.)
- Feb. 17-22 – Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County (254 Pinnacle St.)
- Feb. 24-Feb 26 – Glanmore National Historic Site (257 Bridge St. East)
- Feb. 27-March 1 – Belleville Public Library (254 Pinnacle St.)
The Portraits of Black History in Belleville exhibit was developed by Glanmore National Historic Site in partnership with the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County and the City of Belleville’s Economic and Strategic Initiatives Department.
The African Arts Institute is thrilled to present Cirque Kalabanté for a performance on February 14. Spend Valentine’s Day recreating the warmth of an African village with a joyful concert showcasing music, dance and acrobatics.
WON’MA AFRICA is a show by Yamoussa Bangoura, founder of Cirque Kalabanté, and inspired by daily life in Guinea. This performance shares the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture. A colourful show vibrating with high energy, it represents strength, agility, and life’s joys of young Africans.
The evening also features the talents of Jennifer E. Brant, duo Ruth Mathiang and Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, and ISABELLA, along with a Belleville group of drummers.
Saturday, February 14, 2026 / 7:00-9:00 pm / Centennial Secondary School Auditorium at 160 Palmer Rd.
General admission $30, Seniors $20, Students $22, and Children (13 & under) $15
For more info and to buy tickets, visit: www.africanartsinstitute.com/events-and-festivals
On February 28 from 2 to 3 p.m., the Belleville Public Library will host guest speaker Nikki Clarke, sharing stories of early Black settlers, family legacies, and the region’s connections to freedom-seeking routes and community building, with her special presentation, Black Roots in Belleville and the Quinte Region: Why Black History Is Canadian History. This is a free event with no registration required.
The 2026 theme for Black History Month is: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada by highlighting the enduring contributions of Black Canadians across time.
To learn more about Black Canadian communities, and how they continue to help shape Canada click here.
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