October is Black History Month in the UK
Black History Month 2025 is the chance to showcase and celebrate the contribution of Black people to British culture and society. The theme for this year is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, so it’s an opportunity to recognise the resilience and strength of the Black community, honour the visionaries who have led the way in effecting positive change, and step proudly into the future without compromise. There are a whole host of events running throughout October, from markets to exhibitions to walking tours, so here’s how to get involved.
Black Culture Market
The Black Culture Market is back this October with an edition for Black History Month, giving Londoners the chance to support emerging entrepreneurs and businesses of African and Caribbean descent. The market will be returning to its usual venue at Brixton‘s Department Store, stacked with stalls selling unique prints, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, gifts & cards, clothes, accessories and more – all from independent Black makers. It’s totally free to attend the market, but you need to register for entry.
Sat 4th & Sun 5th October 2025, 11am – 5pm
Downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, London SW9 8FR
blackculturemarket.co.uk
Black History Walks
Black History Walks runs walking tours and talks around London all year long but this October, there’s a Secrets of Soho Black History Walk that looks into the area between Soho Square and Russell Square, touching on ancient African civilisations, Black WWII heroes and Black women broadcasters. There’s also a Black History Bus Tour that shows London’s major tourist attractions from an African and Caribbean perspective.
Sun 5th & Sat 11th October 2025
Various locations
blackhistorywalks.co.uk
City of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour
Run by Black Rooted, this tour explores the links between the transatlantic slave trade and the City of London, diving into the way that chattel slavery and imports from the colonies kept the streets paved with gold and made merchants and bankers incredibly wealthy.
Sat 4th October 2025
City of London
blackhistorymonth.org.uk
Jennie Baptiste: Rhythm & Roots Exhibition at Somerset House
This exhibition at Somerset House is the first major solo show on trailblazing Black British photographer Jennie Baptiste. Rhythm & Roots will showcase her contribution to both contemporary photography and British cultural history through her documentation of fashion, music and youth culture from the 90s to today. Pieces from her series on young men in Brixton, the city’s dancehall scene, tattoos and grillz, and her portraits of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Roots Manuva, NAS, Ms Dynamite, Estelle, and Ty will be on display. ‘Revolutions @ 33 1/3 rpm’, her work on London’s late-1990s hip-hop DJ scene, will close out the exhibition and will be presented alongside mixes created by the DJs featured.
Opens Fri 17th October 2025
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
somersethouse.org.uk
Classically Black at Kings Place
Kings Place is shining a light on Black and ethnic minority musicians and composers with Classically Black, which is returning for its second year this October. The event will feature a panel discussion with Amanda Baldwin, Carol Leeming and Rianna Henriques, reflecting on their experiences as women working in classical music; performances from the Sabi Ensemble, Simmy Singh, and The Jollof House Party Opera; an emerging talent showcase; and an anniversary party mixing garage and classical music curated by DJ Spoony.
Sat 18th October 2025
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG
kingsplace.co.uk
Jimi Famurewa at the London Literature Festival
British-Nigerian broadcaster, food writer, and author Jimi Famurewa is speaking about his memoir Picky at this year’s London Literature Festival. The book tells the story of his life through food, detailing how he went from a picky child to a professional glutton eating his way around town.
Weds 29th October 2025
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
Black History Tour of the British Museum
Organised by Black History Studies, this Black History tour of the British Museum aims to engage and educate attendees about the artefacts in the museum relating to African history, including the Benin Bronzes and pieces in the Egyptian Gallery.
Sun 26th October 2025
British Museum, Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG
eventbrite.com
Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical in Concert
Following a critically-acclaimed run in Chicago and a London showcase last year, Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical is back in the capital for two concert performances at Queen Elizabeth Hall, starring Cedric Neal as the man himself. The show tells the story of Lloyd Price, the artist behind hits like ‘Personality’, ‘Lawdy Miss Clawdy’ and ‘Stagger Lee’. As well as being the first teenager to sell over a million records, Price shaped the music industry, paving the way for Black artists and inspiring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney.
Sat 11th October 2025
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
