The Brooklyn Museum will relaunch its popular First Saturdays series for the 2026 season in February, reviving one of the borough’s most anticipated free cultural events.
Held after hours on the first Saturday of select months, First Saturdays is the Museum’s flagship public program, offering a wide-ranging mix of live music and performances by Brooklyn-based artists, film screenings, curator-led tours, intergenerational art-making, pop-up talks and a marketplace spotlighting local businesses.
Launched in 1998, First Saturdays has grown into a defining Brooklyn tradition and a global model for free, community-centered museum programming. Each edition is shaped by themes drawn from the Museum’s exhibitions and collections, with dynamic programming that draws a diverse audience while celebrating national heritage months and Brooklyn’s rich cultural fabric.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors to our upcoming season of spectacular performances, curiosity-sparking programming, and most importantly, joy,” said Lauren Zelaya, Director of Public Programs. “First Saturdays is an essential part of the Brooklyn Museum’s identity and we are excited to amplify and celebrate the creativity of our borough and create new memories with our community.”
The 2026 season opens on Saturday, Feb. 7, with First Saturday: Imitate No One, marking Black History Month and honoring artists who reinterpret tradition while building community. Inspired by poet Jayne Cortez’s call to “imitate no one,” the evening features a tribute to Cortez, including a performance by her band, The Firespitters, alongside readings by contemporary poets influenced by her work.
The programming also connects to Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens, an exhibition exploring the life and legacy of the renowned Malian photographer. Art historian and curator Catherine E. McKinley will lead a tour of the exhibition, examining Keïta’s iconic portraits of Bamako residents from the 1940s through the 1960s and their ties to self-fashioning and African independence.
A Hands-On Art session invites visitors to experiment with Polaroids, echoing Keïta’s photographic practice. Later in the evening, the collective Cue the Record hosts a listening session of Fela Kuti’s 1973 album Gentleman, whose sound reflects the cultural moment captured in Keïta’s imagery.
Music anchors the February edition throughout the Museum. DJs Auntie Spice and Monday Blue take over the Beaux-Arts Court, while performances by the Brooklyn Ecumenical Choir, Nailah Hunter and Timmy Regisford energize the lobby dance floor. Magician Nicole Cardoza presents a narrative-driven show highlighting the often-overlooked history of Black and women magicians. The night also includes the Brooklyn Pop-Up Market, Teen Talks and a Members-only lounge.
First Saturdays is free, with registration required and general museum admission included.
