This fall and winter, Black travel destinations are lining up like a dream itinerary: a museum birthday in Washington, a brand new presidential center in Chicago, the Bayou Classic in New Orleans, Detty December in Accra and carnival season in the Caribbean. Black travelers have real buying power, too. TheGrio’s July roundup of 20 destinations Black travelers can’t seem to get enough of cites MMGY Travel Intelligence and Black Travel Alliance data putting Black tourism spending at $145 billion.

We pulled from that list, NewsOne’s 2026 destinations for Black families and official event pages to pick seven places worth your vacation days between now and early 2027. Each comes with a Black history or Black-owned angle and one practical tip.

1. Washington, D.C.: A Museum Turns 10

Why now: The National Museum of African American History and Culture marks its 10th anniversary with “Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues,” September 24 to 27, 2026. A few weeks later, Howard University hosts Homecoming, October 11 to 18, with Morehouse visiting Greene Stadium on October 17.

The Black history angle: The museum itself. Our NMAAHC 10th anniversary visit guide covers how to plan your day.

Tip: Sign up for the museum’s email updates on its anniversary page, since programming details are still being posted.

2. Chicago: The Obama Presidential Center

Why now: The Obama Presidential Center opened to the public on June 19, 2026, in Jackson Park on the South Side. WTTW reported that museum tickets sold out after opening and that more would be released for visits from September through January.

What it costs: According to CBS Chicago, museum tickets are $30 for adults and $23 for children ages 3 to 11. Illinois residents get discounts and free admission on Tuesdays. The plazas, gardens, playground and the Chicago Public Library branch are free.

Tip: Every museum visit needs a timed-entry reservation. Skip the $22 to $34 garage parking and take the Metra Electric to 59th Street, about a three-minute walk.

3. New Orleans: Bayou Classic Weekend

Why now: The 53rd annual Bayou Classic brings Southern and Grambling State to the Caesars Superdome on Saturday, November 28, at 1 p.m. The Battle of the Bands and Greek Show is the night before, November 27.

The Black-owned angle: Eat well between events. Chef Serigne Mbaye’s Dakar NOLA won a James Beard Award this year; read our story on the Senegalese kitchen that took the prize.

Tip: The Superdome is cashless and enforces a clear bag policy, so pack accordingly.

4. Accra, Ghana: Detty December

Why now: Ghana appears on theGrio’s list and NewsOne’s family list. The big draw is Detty December, the stretch of concerts, parties and cultural events running from mid-December through New Year. It got a major boost from Ghana’s 2019 Year of Return, which marked 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia in 1619.

The Black history and Black-owned angle: Make time for Cape Coast Castle, a sobering stop on the coast. For a longer stay, Tony and Ayo Jones, a Black American couple who moved their family from Texas to Accra in 2020, run relocation tours and a guest house called The Lodge through Expat Life Ghana.

Tip: According to the State Department’s Ghana page, U.S. citizens need a visa before arriving, proof of yellow fever vaccination and a passport valid for six months beyond arrival. December is peak season, so book flights and rooms now.

5. Salvador, Brazil: Black Consciousness Day

Why now: November 20 is Brazil’s National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness, honoring Zumbi, the leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares. It became a national public holiday under a law signed in December 2023. Ebony’s Salvador guide names November as one of the best times to visit the city, where more than 80 percent of residents identify as Black.

The Black-owned angle: Ebony recommends ZanZibar, a Black woman-owned restaurant serving African and Afro-Brazilian food, plus Balé Folclórico da Bahia performances and the São Joaquim Market. The historic Pelourinho district is the heart of it all.

Tip: Americans now need a visa for Brazil, and an e-visa is available. The State Department rates Brazil Level 2, so use a guided walking tour for your first day in the old city.

6. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: Crucian Christmas Festival

Why now: The 2026 to 2027 Crucian Christmas Festival runs December 26 through January 2, with pageants and calypso competitions earlier in December. Expect a Festival Village, a food fair, J’ouvert and fireworks on the final night.

The Black history angle: The USVI tourism department traces the festival to the 1800s, when enslaved Africans given time off at Christmas danced through the streets in homemade costumes. The modern festival dates to 1952.

Tip: U.S. citizens do not need a passport for the Virgin Islands, which makes this the easiest island trip on the list.

7. Trinidad: Carnival 2027

Why now: Trinidad and Tobago Carnival falls on February 8 and 9, 2027. J’ouvert starts at 4 a.m. on Carnival Monday, and the Panorama steelband finals are the Saturday before.

The Black history angle: The official tourism site describes J’ouvert, when revelers cover themselves in paint, mud and oil, as a symbolic expression of freedom.

Tip: The fete season starts in January. Book flights and lodging this fall, before prices climb.

Travel Smart: Black Travel Destinations Checklist

• Passports: The State Department lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks for an extra $60, not counting mail time. October through December is a lower-volume period, so apply now.
• Advisories: Check the State Department’s travel advisories, which run from Level 1 (normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).
• STEP: Enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the nearest U.S. embassy can send you alerts.
• Travel groups: Nomadness Travel Tribe, founded by Evita Robinson, counts more than 30,000 Black and Brown travelers. The Black Travel Alliance, founded in 2020, supports Black travel professionals and creators, a good place to find guides and writers to follow.

Pick one trip, set a budget and book the piece that sells out first, whether that is a flight, a ticket or a room. Then send this list to the friend who always says “we should go,” and make this the season you do.