BlackFest is grassroots, homegrown, an award-winning Black arts organisation based in Liverpool City Region. They showcase music, theatre, film, visual arts, spoken word, and poetry across both community and mainstream venues.
Their annual festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black artistic expression, their theme this year is ‘Masculine energy, Masculinity.’
BLACKFEST 2025 LAUNCH
Music, Poetry, DJ, Stalls
Enjoy performances from artists taking part in the Fest from poetry, music, DJ and browse artisan stalls for you to spoil yourself or a loved one.
12pm | SoundYard | Donations | Saturday 06.09.25
DANCE
Movement, Storytelling & Power: Akeim ToussaintExperience 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. 11am | Liverpool Lighthouse
Monday 22.09.25 | Standard and concession tickets availableFILM
Independent Film Screening & Panel "Negus" A film by Akeim Toussaint BuckImmerse yourself in a compelling short film ‘Negus’, the title bestowed on Emperors of Ethiopia, the Kings of Kings, followed by an open-mic panel with Akeim Toussaint and Host Ashleigh Nugent. 7pm | Liverpool Lighthouse
Monday 22.09.25 | Standard and concession tickets available
LITERATURE
Diversity Dialogues with Malik Al Nasir
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 ft. Hayli Kincade and Wavertree Community Choir.
7pm | Palm House | Standard and concession tickets available | Tuesday 23.09.25
CONCERT
Part of the Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series
Join them 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.
1pm | -The Tung Auditorium | Standard and concession tickets available
Wednesday 24.09.25
COMMUNITY
Soulessence – Mind, Body and Soul
A day focused on well – being and community connection with ancestral indigenous nutrition workshop from Yammtree, enjoying earthy beats by ONYX TBH and Sound bath with Gaia. With Stalls to Refresh, rejuvenate, revitalise.
10am-3pm | Palm House | Donations | Wednesday 24.09.25
MUSIC
Rhythms Night A dynamic showcase blending rock-punk with soulful singer-songwriters, featuring Headliner Third Kulture alongside KingFast, Mina and Rafaela.
7pm | District | Standard and concession tickets available | Thursday 25.09.25
VISUAL ARTS
Launch of 2025 Visual Arts Programme and Exhibition
Running all the way through October, meet local artists Curtis Watt, Nina Edge and Robert Awork presenting their works + panel. In the month artist will share their practice in a series of workshops.
6p- 9pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard & concession tickets available
Wednesday 01.10.25
SPOKEN WORD POERTY
Come enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life.
Featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya, Janoma, – Breaking intergenerational curses to, dark witty, cynical, morbid humour and covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity. 7pm- 10pm | The Capstone Theatre | Standard & concession tickets available
Friday 03.10.25
VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Nina Edge a renowned local Liverpool Visual artist. She works in clay paint and mixed media. Explore her practice in creating patterned work with various materials.
10-1pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available |
Monday 06.10.25
VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Curtis Watt
Curtis a 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.
1pm – 3pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available
Wednesday 08.10.25
BHM – CELEBRATING 150 YEARS COLERIDGE TAYLOR DAY
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 to hold a Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Day Festival on Saturday 11 October 2025 at Hope University’s creative campus. The day will include some of Coleridge-Taylor’s works featuring singers and instrumentalists singing and playing the composer's music. , and Tayo Aluko’s play, Coleridge-Taylor of Freetown at The Captone Theatre.
2 events | 4:30pm FREE TOWN PLAY By Tayo Aluko | 7:30pm A Concert of Music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor| The Capstone Theatre and Hope Creative Campus | Standard and concession tickets available | Saturday 11.10.25
VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Robert Awork
Robert Awork is a local Liverpool 8 resident and international artist, working in 3D modelling with heritage and archive. He delves into the intersection of technology and community, preserving heritage where best serves its purpose. Explore Robert’s practice mixed media, sculpture and clay work.
10am – 1pm | Granby Winter Garden | Standard and concession tickets available
Monday 13.10.25
THEATRE
Shakespeare North Playhouse BlackFest October SCRATCH Night Take Over
Join them as artists Shak | Chelsey | Resila | BluBoy 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.
7pm | Shakespeare North Playhouse | Standard and concession tickets available
Tuesday 14.10.25
FOOD AND DRINK
Michelle Odwyer – Baytree Cooking Academy
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.
10am – 2pm | Granby Winter Garden | Donations | Wednesday 22.10.25
COMEDY
The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase
Che Burnley Oldhamer and honorary Scouser, in the last few years Che has established his own Showcase show in Edinburgh & Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country. Join us Che and supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.
7:30pm | The Royal Court Studios | Standard and concession tickets available
Saturday 25.10.25
BLACKFEST CLOSING CEREMONY
Celebrate, Fashion, Music, Dance, Drumming, Skating
In collaboration with the Afro Fashion Show UK, we're bringing together 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.
LIVE MUSIC + MORE
Yilly & Rax Vibes | Bluboy | KingFast | Mina | Rafaela | Alifex Band | Sandstone Silver | Drebal | LeeTz |Remée|
BATALA MERSEY Drumming company | MD Productions Dance troop
They have beats on the decks ONYX TBH we know the vibes are going to be lit. JOIN THEM!
6pm | Invisible Wind Factory | PREMIMUM* and Standard tickets available.
Exclusions Apply* | Thursday 30.10.25
For more details and to buy tickets, visit their website http://www.blackfest.co.uk