Taking place at Somerset House, Black Lives Matter Festival is an immersive celebration of Black contribution and the many stories it tells through a series of talks and workshops.

The BLM Fest centres the voices of Black British creatives, activists, audiences and communities nationally and internationally, in a bid to amplify Black achievement and the vastness of the Black experiences, with engagements led and founded by Black people.

When: 1–2 October and 22 October

Take a journey through London on this three-hour bus drive showing the city’s top tourist attractions from an African/Caribbean perspective.

The bus tour will cover a variety of time periods, from Black Tudors to Black-owned nightclubs, highlighting the impact Black communities have had on the capital through the centuries and continue to have to this day.

When: 2 October

Ballet Black is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style by bringing two new works to the Royal Opera House. 

Acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre) presents Black Sun, followed by Say It Loud from the founder and artistic director of Ballet Black, Cassa Pancho – an autobiographical work that charts the story of the pioneering company and its journey to becoming one of the British ballet industry’s best-known names. 

When: 19 – 23 October

Highlighting forgotten stories and bringing to light experiences is at the height of this exhibition from Grada Kilomba.

The striking 32-metre-long installation is composed of 140 wood blocks, the configuration of which outlines the lower ‘hold’ of a historical European slave ship. 

The blocks contain poems in six different languages, intricately inscribed into their textured surfaces, which directly address the history of European maritime expansion and colonisation.

When: 29 September – 20 October

Robin Walker, aka The Black History Man, will deliver a lecture on the origin and evolution of mathematics in Africa. From the African women in southern Africa who produced the first mathematical artefact in human history 37,000 years ago to the mathematical contributions of the ancient Egyptians, the Moors and more, this lecture will recount the fascinating story of African achievement and bring to light the stories that many don’t know. 

When: 8 October 

To honour Black History Month, CURLYTREATS Festival will be hosting an event celebrating Black hair and the evolution of our cultural hairstyles, from the Motherland and beyond.

This is the perfect place to see Black hair in all its glory and reflect on why it’s so much more than just hair – it’s a link to our history and a marker of our longstanding creativity.

When: 15 October 

The Black Women Business Talks will offer Black women a space to learn effective growth strategies for business development and career success.

With talks and group discussions led by Black business women and senior leaders, this event will offer practical advice and insights on how to lead as a Black female in whatever industry you’re in.

When: 18 October

Returning for the third year, the festival features theatre, poetry and discussion, focusing on the nuances of the Black experience in the UK and highlighting stories around migration and belonging.

When: 30 September – 6 November

Countdown host and CEO of Stemettes, Anne-Marie Imafidon will take to the stage to discuss themes from her book, She’s in CTRL, including women, tech and daring to dream.

Drawing on her own experience and the stories of other pioneers, the book reflects on how she and many others have transformed technology, and she’ll be sharing why it’s time for women to claim their seats at the table

When: 23 October