Charlotte, North Carolina will host its ninth annual African American Heritage Festival on February 28, 2026, with a focus on the contributions of Black Americans to the United States military. The event, themed “Red, White, Blue and Black,” will be held at the Charlotte Museum of History from 11 a.m. To 5 p.m. And is free to attend.
This year’s festival aims to highlight the often-overlooked stories of Black military service throughout American history, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Organizers intend to examine how African American service members have both shaped, and been shaped by, the nation they served, according to event details released by the Historic Affiliate Council.
The festival will feature panels, speakers, performances, art, and local vendors, all centered around the legacy of Black military contributions, from the Revolutionary War to the present day. The Charlotte Museum of History is serving as the primary venue for the event, and museum admission is free for attendees.
Previous iterations of the festival have explored other facets of Black history and culture in the Charlotte region. In 2025, the festival, titled “Black Country,” highlighted the Black rural experience in Mecklenburg County. The 2024 festival focused on Black education, celebrating the Museum’s restoration of the historic Siloam School and featuring an HBCU college fair. The 2023 festival centered on Black history, self-care, and education, with a keynote address by Jaki Shelton Green. A virtual festival was held in 2021.
The African American Heritage Festival is organized by the Charlotte Museum of History, which can be reached at (704) 568-1774. Further information about the event is available on the museum’s website.
