Visit St. Catharines for Black history
From the last stop for the Underground Railroad to the Salem Chapel where Harriet Tubman worshipped, Black history is everywhere in St. Catharines and there are many opportunities to celebrate Black History Month this February.
People from across the country celebrate Black History Month every February and recognize the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians to making Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation it is today.
Black History Month in St. Catharines kicks off with the opening of juried exhibit “Black Histories, Black Futures” and a flag raising at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m., which also includes a performance by Juliet Dunn from the Niagara Jazz Festival.
Black History at the St. Catharines Museum
Learn more about and celebrate Black history and culture in St. Catharines by exploring the last year of the exhibit “Last Stop: In their Own Words”. Don’t miss the museum’s Black History Month blog series every Saturday this February.
Learn about the Underground Railroad in St. Catharines
St. Catharines holds an important place in the history of the Underground Railroad. During the 1850s, the city became a final stop for many freedom seekers arriving in Canada, and was home to Harriet Tubman, one of the most courageous conductors of the Underground Railroad. Through her leadership, hundreds of enslaved Black people were guided to freedom, with many choosing to settle here.
The Salem Chapel BME Church, a key site connected to Black history in St. Catharines, is currently closed for restoration work. However, it will reopen for one day only to host Awakened Voices Narratives, a special Black History Month performance featuring spoken word, music, and storytelling that brings Canadian Black history to life.
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Time: 3:00PM-5:00 PM
Location: Salem Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church NHS 92 Geneva Street, St. Catharines,
Ontario L2R 4N2
Admission: Free (Donations welcome)
While regular in-person visits are not possible at this time, we encourage you to explore the church’s website to learn more, and plan a future visit once restoration is complete and the site fully reopens in April 2026.
Honouring this history means learning, reflecting, and continuing to share these stories. February offers a perfect opportunity to explore Niagara and celebrate Black History Month by experiencing what life was like during the era of the Underground Railroad.
On Stage Annual Variety Show & Vendor Market
Celebrate Black History Month 2026 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre with Future Black Female’s Annual On Stage Variety Show, on February 21st – an unforgettable evening highlighting the creativity, brilliance, and diversity of Black talent in the Niagara Region.
This high-energy show promises a captivating mix of musical performances, comedy, dance, and spoken word, all curated to showcase the richness of Black artistic expression. From emerging voices to seasoned performers, audiences will experience a night full of inspiration, entertainment, and storytelling brought to life on stage.
There will also be an exciting vendor market curated by BlackOwned905. It’s a community celebration you won’t want to miss!
Downtown D’Lish x Black History Month
This winter, Downtown D’Lish returns with a delicious twist! Running February 11–22, the event celebrates Black History Month with a “Downtown Soulicious” theme in partnership with Kevin from Soulicious, a Niagara-based, Black-owned business.
Fourteen downtown restaurants are taking part, each featuring Kevin’s signature sauce in a way that complements their unique menu. The result is a cohesive culinary experience that highlights the diversity and creativity of downtown’s dining scene while letting each restaurant shine.
Niagara Bound Tours
Niagara Bound Tours offers guided experiences that explore what happened to Freedom Seekers after completing their journey to Canada. Through rich storytelling and historical interpretation, these tours examine the migration of Black Americans who escaped slavery in the mid-19th century and settled in Southern Ontario.
Led by a fifth-generation Canadian descendant of a fugitive slave from Kentucky, the experiences bring visitors to important historical sites throughout St. Catharines and the Niagara region. Guests gain deeper insight into the courage, resilience, and realities faced by Freedom Seekers as they built new lives beyond the slave states.
Tour offerings and availability may vary throughout the year. For current information on upcoming tours, experiences, and booking opportunities, visitors are encouraged to contact Niagara Bound Tours directly.
📞 (905) 685-5375
🌐 www.niagaraboundtours.com
Black history is around every corner in St. Catharines
From the steps of the Salem Chapel, the Geneva Street church where Harriett Tubman worshipped, to where communities came together to celebrate abolition in Downtown St. Catharines to where thousands of Black Canadians and Americans would gather for Emancipation Day in Port Dalhousie, there are many significant Black history sites in St. Catharines.
