A multi-award winning celebration of culture and diversity is currently in full swing across Liverpool. Now in its 9th year, BlackFest is a month-long celebration of Black arts and cultural diversity in Liverpool, set to feature music, spoken word, visual arts, theatre, workshops, cooking and more.
Following a successful launch event at SoundYard earlier this month, the festival is now taking in a programme of events running across Liverpool venues until 30th October 2025. From music and theatre to comedy and dance, the festival has been curated to amplify and celebrate Black and minority artistic expression, showcasing the rich talent from under-represented communities that exist in Liverpool and beyond. The festival aims to educate, empower and improve equality in the arts and has been praised as one of the most innovative showcases in the city.
Cooking workshops have become a mainstay of the festival in recent years and 2025 was no different as the award-winning Baytree returned on 22nd October to Granby Street Market with cooking demonstrations to improve access to healthy, nutritious food; helping individuals and families develop skills in cooking and nutrition and to reduce food waste.
Already this month the festival has hosted: a transformative dance workshop exploring identity, resistance, and rhythm through movement and poetry hosted by Akeim Toussaint; an inspiring dialogue with author, educator, artist activist Malik Al Nasir hosted by Dr Rebecca Loy; a day focused on wellbeing and community connection with an ancestral indigenous nutrition workshop; and a free lunchtime concert at The Tung Auditorium.
Rounding off an incredible line-up on Thursday 30th October will be the festival’s multi-arts closing ceremony at 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.
BlackFest continues across venues in Liverpool until 30th October 2025. Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite now.
For more info visit the BlackFest WEBSITE and follow them on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.
