Liverpool Blackfest 2026 programme of events

Blackfest has returned to Liverpool venues with a series of events planned over the next month – including a visit by trailblazing girl group Cleopatra.

The annual festival runs until October 28.

Music, theatre, film, visual arts and spoken word are on the month-long programme which in 2026 also spreads outside Liverpool to Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and London.

On Thursday, September 24, Blackfest Creative Collective comes to Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot for an evening of short experimental performances and one-woman plays involving musicians, playwrights, writers and actors including MD Productions/Miguel Doforo and Mariam Jama.

Then on Friday, September 25, the festival takes over the Tung Auditorium where pioneering Manchester girl group Cleopatra is the main attraction.

Bursting on to the music scene in the 1990s, the group captivated audiences with its infectious energy, soulful harmonies and dynamic performances, becoming the first Black British girl group to achieve mainstream success.

This Blackfest gig is the first time the group has performed in Liverpool in two decades. Support comes from Liverpudlian singer-songwriter Hayli Kincade.

Blackfest also continues at Shakespeare North Playhouse on September 25 with short experimental comedy performances from Black writers and comedians.

And on Saturday, September 26, the third event at Shakespeare North features more short experimental works and performances from writers, playwrights, actors, musicians and spoken word artists.

Above: Three festival events take place at Shakespeare North Playhouse at Prescot. Top: Cleopatra will appear at the Tung Auditorium.

Blackfest returns to the Tung Auditorium on Wednesday, September 30 when KingFast performs as part of the venue’s Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series. The concert is free but tickets must be pre-booked.

Meanwhile the festival’s Visual Arts Launch takes place at Granby Winter Garden at 6pm on September 30. There will be live piano from Jazz Gittens and a panel of participating visual artists.

Join multidisciplinary artist Ayobami at a Visual Arts Workshop at Granby Winter Garden on Wednesday, October 7. Two further workshops take place during the festival – on October 14 visual artist Alena Kudera explores textiles, sustainability, identity and material storytelling, and on October 21, Nina Edge shares her artistic practise and explores different approaches to creativity, materials, community and public art.

Meanwhile Sefton Park Palm House is the venue for a Plant-Based Goodness, Arts and Crafts Market on Sunday, October 11. The event, from 11am to 3pm, will also feature soulful music.

Then later the same day, the Palm House also hosts an inspiring evening of literature, culture and conversation with Black-Nigerian artist Kelechi Okafor.

The festival concludes with a Rhythms Night in Bristol on October 28.

Blackfest is a grassroots Black arts festival founded in 2018 to celebrate, empower and develop work by Black artists across community spaces and established venues. The 2026 festival is marking 100 years of Black History Month.

Blackfest runs until October 28 at venues across Liverpool and beyond. More details and tickets HERE