Black History Month 2023: Top things to do in London  

London is full of activities for Black History Month. The Student Experience (SEER) team is here to give a rundown of the art, history and cultural events happening across the capital. 

Black History Month 2023 is well underway, and as a team, we wanted to signpost you to what we believe are some of the top things to do in London. Don't forget to check out all the events on campus too. 

1. Curly Treats Festival 

This is a full day celebrating Black culture, with sessions covering creativity and community. This festival occurs annually and is an opportunity to celebrate Black hair, history and heritage. 

The festival has seven events: the School of Afro Hair, Museum of Black Hair, Culture of Black Business Marketplace, Black Wellness Advancement, Black Maternal Well-being Check-in, Black British Book Fair, and AfroEats Village. There is free access to the Culture of Black Business Marketplace and the AfroEats village.

When: 7 October 2023
Where: Hammersmith
Price: Free and paid events available

2. The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion

This exhibition at Somerset House looks at the landscape of Black British culture and its contributions to Britain’s design history, which have often been overlooked and unacknowledged. The Black Orientated Legacy Development Agency (BOLD) has curated an exhibition focusing on Black British Fashion from the 1970s until today, set within the broader socio-political context.

When: Until 7 January 2024
Where: Somerset House   
Price: £5 for under 25s / £12 / £9.50 concessions

3. A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography

This isn't your typical photography exhibition. The Tate Modern has brought together artists from different generations to reimagine Africa's place in the world. It confronts how Africa has been reductively represented and uses photography, film, audio, and more to reimagine Africa’s diverse cultures and historical narratives.

When: Until 14 January 2024
Where: Tate Modern
Price: £5 for under 25s / £17 / Concessions available

4. Do a tour of free exhibitions across the city

Did you know there is a range of private galleries in London to explore for free? Here is a list of exhibitions taking place for Black History Month. 

Central London

• Reframing Neglect - Group exhibition by African photographers
  Cromwell Place, South Kensington. Until 8 October 2023  

• Wonderbuhle by Inkunzi Isematholeni
  Gallery 1957, Hyde Park Gate. Until 15 October  

• Grandma's Land by Alvaro Barrington
  Sadie Coles HQ, Soho. Until 21 October 

• Ritual ecstasy of the modern by Yinka Shonibare
  Cristea Roberts Gallery, St James. Until 4 November 

East London

• They departed for their own country another way (a 9×9×9 hauntology) by Julie Mehretu
  White Cube, Bermondsey. Until 5 November 

• Africanesse by Angèle Etoundi Essamba
  Doyle Wham, Shoreditch. Until 25 November  

South London

•  Lagos Peckham Repeat: Pilgrimage to the lakes - Group exhibition by Nigerian Artists
  South London Gallery, Peckham. Until 29 October 

• Ode to the Ancestors
  Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill. Until 3 December 

5. Explore the Black Cultural Archives

Situated in Brixton, the Black Cultural Archives collects, preserves and celebrates the histories of African and Caribbean people in the UK. There are gallery exhibitions, educational programmes as well as public events. Current exhibitions include 'Brilliant Black British History' and 'Challenging the Narrative: Black Resistance to Scientific Bias', and a whole calendar of events.

These are just a few ways to get involved with Black History Month in London. Be sure to also check out SOAS's events for Black History Month.