Black on the Square: New Trafalgar Square festival celebrating Black culture

A new festival celebrating the diversity and richness of Black culture and creativity is coming to Trafalgar Square this weekend.

Black on the Square will showcase black creative talent from the worlds of art, fashion, music and food, organisers have said.

The free, family-friendly festival will take place on Saturday September 2.

The one-day event is part of a City Hall drive to nurture creativity from the capital’s diverse communities, the mayor of London’s office said.

The main stage will feature performances from rapper ENNY of Peng Black Girls fame, alt rappers BXKS, and surprise special guests.

The vibrancy of London’s Black-led nightlife scene will also be demonstrated through DJ sets and live music hosted by club nights and music collectives, with performances from Touching Bass, Queer Bruk and more.

Social media stars The Spit Game UK will be in the crowd engaging the audience with their unique brand of freestyle rap throughout the day.

Visitors can look forward to a photography installation by photographer Jenny Baptiste and a music showcase from Newham’s Art Beyond the Shell, plus a host of stalls from Black-owned businesses.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Black on the Square is a fantastic addition to our capital’s cultural calendar.

“London’s Black communities are a vital part of the rich fabric of our city, and I am proud that this brand new, free event will showcase and champion the sheer breadth of the capital’s Black creative talent.

“Our diversity is our greatest strength, and we will celebrate it at every opportunity as we continue to build a better, more equitable and prosperous city for all.”

Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, chair of the Community Advisory Group and principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, said: "As Chair of the Mayor’s Community Advisory Board, it has been a privilege to work with esteemed colleagues on the Black on the Square event.

“This event will bring together Londoners from around our capital to celebrate the diversity of Black British cultures, in the heart of Trafalgar Square, through music, theatre, art, dance and conversation and by supporting local businesses.

“It is vital that we continue to create spaces for our communities to come together, to share our experiences, to learn from one another, to celebrate and to inspire. I hope this event goes some way towards continuing to create those spaces."

Black on the Square is set to become a regular feature in London’s calendar of cultural events hosted by the mayor on Trafalgar Square.

That list also includes Diwali, Eid, St Patrick’s Day, Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, St George’s Day, Chanukah, and Pride.

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