RALEIGH, N.C. — Thousands are expected to head to downtown Raleigh on Saturday for the 22nd annual African American Cultural Celebration.

What You Need To Know

  • The 22nd annual African American Cultural Celebration is 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh

  • The event brings together over 100 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors and artists for presentations, performances and more

  • Admission is free

The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of History and serves as a kickoff to Black History Month, which begins Wednesday and runs through March 1.

Saturday's celebration features more than 100 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors and artists.

Adrienne Nirdé, the associate director of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, says this year is extra special.

“This is the first time in three years that we will be able to celebrate in person to gather at the North Carolina Museum of History. So we're really excited to have folks back in person for the celebration,” Nirdé said.

The theme for this year’s event is Pathways to Freedom: To Learn, To Vote, To Build.

“This is just a really wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate what is unique and special about North Carolina in terms of our history, art and culture, specifically about how communities have navigated their way through time, and also kind of looking onward into the future,” Nirdé said.

Click here for a full schedule of events.