Liverpool’s multi-award winning cultural diversity festival, BlackFest, returns to the city this September, with an exciting programme of events — from music and theatre to comedy and dance. Created to amplify and celebrate Black and minority artistic expression, the festival showcases the rich talent from under-represented communities.
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BlackFest Launch Event: Sat 6th Sept, 12pm, SoundYard
Come meet and enjoy performances from artists including poetry, live music and DJs and browse artisan stalls selling a wide range of good from traders. A free event at SoundYard, with donations welcomed.
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Akeim Toussaint Dance Workshop: Mon 22nd Sept, 11am, Liverpool Lighthouse
Experience a transformative dance workshop exploring identity, resistance, and rhythm through movement and poetry. ‘Beatmotion’ a practice developed by Akeim uses power of voice/vocality and movement.
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Negus Film Screening: Mon 22nd Sept, 7pm, Liverpool Lighthouse
Immerse yourself in a compelling short film ‘Negus’, the title bestowed on Emperors of Ethiopia,
the Kings of Kings, followed by an openmic panel with Akeim Toussaint and Host Ashleigh Nugent.
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Diversity Talk With Malik Al Nasir: Tues 23rd Sept, 7pm, Palm House
Come together for an inspiring dialogue with author, educator, artist activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy as he shares reflections on identity and heritage his 2nd published book, Searching For My Slave Roots. With Uplifting performances featuring Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.
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Remée Concert: Weds 24th Sept, 1pm, Tung Auditorium
Join us in partnership with The Tung Auditorium in celebrating local Liverpool Artist Remée – an alternative artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of artists and genres. Immersive lyrical storytelling and captivating visuals.
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Soulessence Wellbeing: Weds 24th Sept, 10am, Palm House
A day focused on wellbeing and community connection with ancestral indigenous nutrition workshop from Yammtree, enjoying earthy beats by ONYX TBH and a sound bath with Gaia. Also featuring stalls to refresh, rejuvenate and revitalise.
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Rhythms Night: Thurs 25th Sept, 7pm, District
A dynamic showcase blending rock and punk with soulful singer songwriters, featuring feadliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela.
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Spoken Word Night: Sat 4th Oct, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre
Featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya, Janoma, Bluboy – Breaking intergenerational curses to, dark witty, cynical, morbid humour and covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity.
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Visual Arts Workshop: Mon 6th Oct, 10am, Granby Winter Garden
Hosted by Nina Edge, a renowned local visual artist. Working in clay paint and mixed media, explore her practice in create patterned work with various materials.
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Visual Arts Workshop: Weds 8th Oct, 1pm, Granby Winter Garden
Curtis Watt is an established local Liverpool multidisciplinary artist. His practice is in sketch, mixed media and surrealist dream translations in pencil, pastels and ink. Explore Creative writing, storytelling, poetry and spoken word followed by sketching your own creative response.
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Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day: Sat 11th Oct, 3pm, The Capstone Theatre
2025 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in partnership with BlackFest and Liverpool Hope University are holding a Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day Festival on Saturday 11th October at Hope University’s creative campus. The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles and soloists and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor Of Freetown, at The Capstone Theatre.
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Visual Arts Workshop: Mon 13th Oct, 10am, Granby Winter Garden
Join Liverpool 8 resident and international artist, Robert Awork, and work in 3D modelling with heritage and archive. He delves into the intersection of technology and community, preserving heritage where best serves its purpose. Explore mixed media, sculpture and clay work.
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Scratch Night: Tues 14th Oct, 7pm, Shakespeare North Playhouse
Join us as artists Shak, Chelsey and Resila bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life. They are using their directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and a combination of singing performing and writing.
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Baytree Cooking Workshop: Weds 22nd Oct, 10am, Granby Street Market
The ever so popular sustainable cooking workshop led by award-winning chef Michelle returns with cooking demonstrations with the aim to improve access to healthy, nutritious food, to help individuals and families develop skills in cooking and nutrition and to reduce food waste.
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Comedy Showcase: Sat 25th Oct, 7.30pm, Royal Court Studios
Featuring Oldhamer and honorary Scouser, Che Burnley. In the last few years Che has established his own showcase show in Edinburgh and Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join us for a hilarious showcase featuring Che and supporting acts from Liverpool and the North West.
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Closing Ceremony: Thurs 30th Oct, 6pm, Invisible Wind Factory
In collaboration with the Afro Fashion Show UK, this event is a vibrant mix of culture, creativity, and community. The event will be a dynamic celebration of contemporary fashion, live music, art, skating, stalls and delicious food.
A fashion show and live music from Yilly + Friends, Bluboy, KingFast, Mina, Rafaela, Aliune Samb + Friends, Sandstone Silver, Drebal, LeeTz and Remée. Also featuring Katumba Afro Brazilian Drumming company, MD Creatives Dance troop and beats on the decks from ONYX TBH.
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BlackFest: Celebrating Cultural Diversity In The Arts
With a range of exciting events showcasing the rich talent of black and minority creatives in the North West, Liverpool’s multi-award winning BlackFest returns for 2025 with something for everyone. This year’s theme is Masculinity and promises to be another vibrant celebration of creativity in the city.
BlackFest / 6th Sept — 30th Oct 2025 / Various Venues Across Liverpool
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Follow BlackFest on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM
Malik Al Nasir images credit Ean Flanders, Akeim Toussaint images credit Leah Cole
