Black History Month in the UK gives us the chance to reflect on the legacy of the Black trailblazers, artists, and communities that have played a part in fortifying the cultural landscape of Britain.
Up and down the country, cities are buzzing with things to do to mark it, from talks to innovative exhibitions, and thought-provoking theatre. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best activities into a handy guide for you to peruse at your leisure and decorate your October diaries with.
Here is ELLE UK’s guide to some of the best events taking place in the UK to celebrate Black History Month in style.
THEATRE
Dugsi Days by Sabrina Ali
The British-Somali play written by Sabrina Ali, returns to stage this month following the success of last year's production. Dugsi Dayz is a comedic adaptation of The Breakfast Club, and a light-hearted exploration of the friendship between a group of Somali girls.
When? October 3-4 2023
Where? New Diorama Theatre, 15-16 Triton St, London NW1 3BF
Tickets: From £16
Meetings by Mustapha Matura
This month marks the first major UK revival of Meetings – an atmospheric, entertaining and poignant play set to capture the sights, sounds and smells of the Caribbean.
When? October 14 - November 11 2023
Where? Orange Tree Theatre, 1 Clarence St, Richmond TW9 2QE
Tickets: From £15
Elephant by Anoushka Lucas
Olivier Award nominee Anoushka Lucas’ acclaimed debut play is set to show in Bush Theatre's main house in a brand-new production. Part gig, part musical love story, this all-new expanded production of musician Anoushka Lucas’ brainchild, Elephant, runs for just three weeks following its celebrated, sold-out run in the Bush’s Studio last year.
When? October 14 - November 4 2023
Where? Orange Tree Theatre
Tickets: From £15
Young, Gifted and Black at the Theatre Peckham
Celebrating its fifth anniversary at the Theatre Peckham, Young, Gifted and Black aims to celebrate some of the area’s best up-and-coming Black talent in the fields of theatre, film, music and poetry. This year’s lineup includes the must-see photography exhibition Contemporary Creatives by Alex Galloway.
When? October 1 - November 4 2023
Where? Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil St, London SE5 7SB0
Tickets: From £8
LISTEN
Juls at The Jazz Café
Best known for his collaborations with the likes of Benji Flo, Lauryn Hill, Burna Boy, Goldlink and more, producer and DJ, Juls has curated a series of nights at the London Jazz Café. Expect a playlist filled with dance music from the African diaspora.
When? Every Friday in October
Where? The Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG
Tickets: From £20
Julian Marley & The Uprising Band
The Uprising - a roots-reggae band comprised of Jamaican players including Bob Marley's son, Julian - is on tour and will be gracing Newport, with their imitable sound this BHM. The band are best known for delivering performances filled with an organic fusion of bass reggae, breezy jazz sounds and samba-tinged Jamaican ska. Bring your best dancing shoes and expect a night of joyous fun.
When? October 20 2023
Where? The Neon, Newport NP19 7AB
Tickets: £35.10
Mahalia
After being signed aged 13, the Leicester-born singer-songwriter Mahalia has become a standout voice on the UK music scene thanks to her eclectic take on British soul-pop. Be sure to catch her at one of her UK tour dates this month.
When? Throughout the month of October
Where? Various UK cities
Tickets: From £23
Randall Goosby in Recital at Queen Elizabeth Hall
Rising star violinist Randall Goosby is joined by the equally prodigious pianist Zhu Wang for an evening of virtuoso music. The pair is set to play music by great Black composers and their contemporaries for one evening only, including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Grant Still and Florence Price.
When? October 13 2023
Where? Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Tickets: From £15.
SEE
The Black British Book Festival
Join gal-dem founder Liv Little, Little Mix member Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and bestselling writer Candice Brathwaite at this two-day book festival. The event endeavours to begin the work of democratising the publishing industry. The festival is se to feature talks, panel discussions and workshops that will help aspiring authors to navigate everything from securing an agent to writing engaging dialogue.
When? October 27 -28 2023
Where? Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Tickets: From £15
Pass Us Our Oyster Knives
Curated and commissioned by mandla for HOME There Manchester’s Black History Month programme, Pass Us Our Oyster Knives is a visual response to this year’s Black History Month theme: Saluting Our Sisters. The portrait by Jessica Ilatoda is a visual depiction of the fearlessness of Black women in the face of life’s opposition and will be on display throughout the month.
When? September 29 – October 31 2023
Where? HOME Theatre Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
Tickets: Free
Legacies: London Transport's Caribbean Workforce
Legacies: London Transport's Caribbean Workforce explores the impact Caribbean people have made on London transportation. The exhibition features stories from Caribbean people who worked for what is now Transport for London, many of whom came to London in the postwar years. The exhibit highlights the triumphs and challenges they experienced, and the major influence that London’s Caribbean communities have had on the city’s overall cultural landscape, particularly highlighting events like Notting Hill Carnival and recent Tube station art campaigns.
When? From October until August 2024
Where? London Transport Museum, Covent Garden London WC2E 7BB
Tickets: From £22
COBO: Comedy Shutdown Black History Month Special
Comedy of Black Origin are hosting Black History Month Specials in London, Birmingham, Leeds and more; providing us with much needed joy throughout Black History Month. As one of the biggest and best comedy nights in the UK with lineup that include the likes of Kane Brown, Kat B, Annette Fagon and Aurie Styla — expect to laugh your pants off.
When? Throughout October
Where? Various Locations across the UK
Tickets: £18
Cheeky Little Brown
Papatango Prize-winner Nkenna Akunna's Cheeky Little Brown follows Lady, a quick-witted, headstrong Londoner as she navigates queerness and life as a Black woman. The production is a coming-of-age story, that delves deep into a friendship between two Black women, while highlighting the pair's own conflicting and deeply personal odyssey of self-acceptance.
When? September 21 – October 14 2023
Where? Bristol Old Vic, King Street, BS1 4ED
Tickets: From £12
Black, Female, Scouse
In celebration of everything it means to be Black, Female, Scouse, this exhibition details the lives of a range of Black Liverpudlian women and their incredible achievements over the past few decades. Although the exhibit will be on display throughout the month, on the 16th October there is an opportunity to meet co-curators Vicki Caren and Janaya Pickett to learn more about the women that feature in the exhibition.
When? From October 2023 until February 2024
Where? 3rd floor of Central Library, William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EW
Tickets: Free
Island Movements: An epic tale of the lives of a family from the Windrush generation.
Island Movements is a short ballet that tells the story of Windrush and explores the impact of that generation’s experiences on their families, communities and society. Beginning with a young Caribbean soldier in WW2 Britain, this moving tale follows his family through their life in the UK up to the current Windrush scandal. Go for the ballet but make sure to stay for the insightful Q&A with the dancers and creators at the end of every performance.
When? Throughout the month of October
Where? Various Locations across the UK
Tickets: £18
EAT
Octaves Kitchen
DJ and Broadcaster Sian Anderson's debut restaurant, Octaves Kitchen, is a must-visit food option this month thanks to its 'buffet-style menu of Afro-Caribbean dishes'. The BBC 1Xtra host, who has her own cookbook, Sian And (H)er Son, which was born out of the recipes she and her son Elijah discovered over lockdown, has curated a welcoming space that is guaranteed to keep bellies full, and souls satisfied this October.
Where? 110 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7NY
Chukus
You've likely heard of this North-London gem due to the success of its supper club era, or because it has now been crowned 'the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant'. However, what makes this restaurant must visit this BHM, is no doubt, it's endearing co-founders Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick. Grab a friend and reserve your spot.
Where? 274 High Rd, London N15 4AJ
Berry and Brie
Owner Mako Ndoro has created a variety of boxes to cover brunch, dessert and afternoon tea, so although the name may suggest cheese, this family run business has a whole lot more to serve up - but brie is definitely on the menu. There's uber-chic packaging and delivery across London and within the M25 — sign us up!
Where? Online/delivery
Limin
This Trinidadian-themed bar and restaurant on the South Bank, has gained a strong following for its vividly rendered Indo-Caribbean dishes, like lobster dumplings, jerk chicken, Limin's classic marinated pork ribs and the creme-de-la-creme: 'doubles', a Trinidadian classic of hand-stretched, fried flatbread with spiced chickpeas. Wash these dishes down with rum cocktails served in hollowed-out pineapples, it's the perfect dining option for this unseasonably warm October.
Where? 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP
Wood & Water
Brixton’s Wood & Water is an upscale reimagining of owner April Jackson's, first culinary endeavour, Three Little Birds - a Jamaican cafe-by-day, rum kitchen-by-night. The new iteration of the entrepreneur's restaurant is a haven for 'British food with Jamaican soul'.
Where? 412 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8LF
Ikoyi
If West African cuisine is close to your heart, enter Ikoyi this month with open taste buds and leave all traditional notions at the door. The restaurant boasts two-star Michelin stars and an elegant, cool and stylishly understated space, with top quality organic produce from the British Isles, married with the spices of West Africa.
Where? 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA
