Black History Month 2023: Five celebratory events in London this October

Londoners can immerse themselves in a vibrant programme celebrating Black culture, history and creativity this October, with a rich programme of events set to take place across the city for Black History Month.

Black innovation will be spotlighted across a range of disciplines, from Black British writers and designers to scientists and transport workers.

With exhibitions, pop-ups and festivals planned across the capital, here’s a round-up of some of the events marking the occasion.

Black British Book Festival at Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX October 27-28 Most events free, some £15-£35

Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature, The Black British Book Festival, is coming to the Southbank Centre this October, aiming to make engaging with books and the publishing world more accessible.

There will be talks from leading voices such as Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Strictly’sOti Mabuse, as well as a Black Book marketplace, writing workshops and activities for children.

The festival has partnered with major publishers including Pan Macmillan, Hachette, Penguin and SAGE to showcase the UK’s best Black authors, content creators, influencers and journalists. Tickets are available on the Southbank Centre website.

Explorers Family Festival: Black Natural History at the Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum, South Kensington, SW7 5BD October 8 Free

This Sunday, Black scientists will be discussing their environmental and climate work at the Natural History Museum. Curator-led tours and creative workshops for all ages will shed light on the work taking place at the museum and the role of Black natural historians of the past, present and future. Talks include ‘What Does It Mean to ‘Decolonise’ Climate Solutions’, and ‘At the Brink of Disaster: Fire and Water’. Activities for children range from an African dinosaur game to a weaving workshop. Tickets are available here.

The Beat Goes On Pop-Up Shop

177-180 Piccadilly, St James’s, W1J9ER October 12-15 Free

Pop-up event “The Beat Goes On” is a vibrant celebration of Black culture coming to Picadilly this month. It centres on art, fashion and music and fuses past and present to honour both the legacy of Black heritage with the innovative work of visionary Black British creatives. The four-day exhibit in the heart of Piccadilly charts the “resounding rhythm of resilience and progress” which is continued by contemporary Black artists, designers and musicians today. Tickets for the event are available here.

The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion at Somerset House

Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA Till January 7 2024 Tickets:£12/concessions £9.50, £5 for under 25s

Somerset House has launched “The Missing Thread” exhibition this Autumn, which weaves together the rich history and contemporary relevance of Black British fashion, focusing also on music, photography and art. Tracing the development of Black style and identity in tailoring, performance, nightlife and the home from the 1970s to the present day, the exhibition uncovers stories of trailblazing Black creatives and their lasting influence on British fashion and design. Tickets are available on the Somerset House website.

Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce at London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, WC2E 2BB Indefinite exhibition Tickets: Included in a £22 annual pass, with concessions available

This exhibition at the London Transport Museum honours the invaluable contributions of first, second and third-generation Caribbean people to London’s transport network and to British culture as a whole. Following World War II, London Transport recruited workers from Barbados, Trinidad and Jamaica between 1956 and 1970. “Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce” explores the difficulties faced by these individuals both on their journey to and arrival in the UK, celebrates their work and highlights the profound impact of Caribbean culture on London, spotlighting Notting Hill Carnival and TfL’s ‘Art on the Underground’ program. Entry is included in the museum admission, with passes available on their website.