Black On The Square returns to Trafalgar Square

• Mayor of London’s free, family-friendly Black On The Square festival returns to Trafalgar Square for a fourth year, on Saturday 5 September from 12-6pm

 

• This year’s programme celebrates the past, present and future of Black Londoners, highlighting 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival, 35 years of Tomorrow's Warriors, 20 years of LatinoLife and 30 years of the MOBO Awards, with a tribute to founder Kanya King CBE

 

• First acts announced include soca star Triniboi Joocie, singer-songwriter FIBI and Afro-Latin collective Viva Sound System, with further headliners yet to be announced

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that Black On The Square will return to Trafalgar Square on Saturday 5 September.

 

Now in its fourth year, this free annual festival of Black culture and creativity will once again draw thousands of Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds into the heart of the capital to celebrate the lasting contribution Black communities have made to London life.

 

This year’s theme, ‘This is our London’, celebrates the everyday cultural imprint of Black communities across the capital, and affirms Black presence as foundational to London’s past, present and future.

 

The programme marks a series of landmark anniversaries, including 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival, 35 years of Tomorrow’s Warriors providing jazz music education and artist development, 30 years of the MOBO Awards, and 20 years of LatinoLife also celebrating a decade of its flagship, LatinoLife in the Park.

 

Running from 12pm to 6pm, Trafalgar Square will be filled with live music, dance, food, wellbeing sessions and family activities.

 

Audiences can expect an eclectic line up of music from Afrobeats, Amapiano and Garage to Soul, R&B, Reggae and Freestyle.

 

The first acts to be announced include Trinidadian soca artist, songwriter and producer Triniboi Joocie, and Dutch-Nigerian-British singer-songwriter FIBI who will bring her alternative R&B and Neo-Soul sound to the main stage.

 

Tomorrow's Warriors mark 35 years of supporting young musicians and UK jazz with a nine-piece jazz band performance, while Nu Establishment will perform a selection of ska and reggae classics. Mandala Productions presents the best of Black British Theatre in the West End, hosted by BBTA Founder Omar F Okai, and LatinoLife's Jose Luis and friends will close the day alongside Viva Sound System with a live reggaetón and baile funk set, complete with dancers and percussion. Further headliners will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

The day will also pay tribute to Kanya King CBE, who founded the MOBO Awards in 1996 to honour achievements in music of Black origin and who reshaped the recognition of Black British music over three decades.

 

Capital XTRA will host the main stage throughout the day, bringing the energy with Capital XTRA Breakfast presenters Robert Bruce and Shayna Marie leading the action while weekend DJ Manny Norte keeps the crowd moving on the decks.

 

Personal trainer and wellbeing advocate JustGeen will lead fitness sessions, and Ghanaian chef and food creator Chef Abbys will run food demonstrations from her stall throughout the day. Black-owned traders and stallholders will once again offer a diverse mix of food and crafts, and there will be a dedicated K-BOTS Family Zone, children's area and space for families to gather.

 

Black On The Square forms part of the Mayor of London's wide-ranging Trafalgar Square cultural programme, which also includes Diwali, Eid, Lunar New Year, St George's Day and St Patrick's Day celebrations. The event is curated by a Community Advisory Group, led by Kojo Marfo, to ensure it reflects the experiences and priorities of London’s Black communities, and is sponsored by Remitly. 

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that Black On The Square is back for a fourth year, bigger, better and bolder than ever before. This year's theme - This is our London - celebrates the festivals, events and Black Londoners who have shaped the sound and spirit of our capital, and the new generation bringing fresh ideas for the future. Everyone is welcome at Trafalgar Square for a day of fantastic, family-friendly entertainment that brings us together, as we build a better London for everyone."

 

A spokesperson from title sponsor Remitly said: “Black On The Square continues to be a powerful celebration of identity, heritage, and unity. At Remitly, we're always honoured to stand with London's Black communities — communities whose culture and leadership enrich life here in the UK and worldwide. Returning as a supporter is one small way of showing what matters most to us: the people we serve, and the connections they keep across distance.”

 

Chair of the Community Advisory Group, Kojo Marfo, said: “Black On The Square is now firmly established in London’s cultural calendar, celebrating the extraordinary contribution of Black communities to our city. As Chair of the Cultural Advisory Group, I’m proud to see the event continue to grow. Amongst the outstanding talent and creativity on this year’s programme, we’re delighted to have Chef Abbys join us at Trafalgar Square for an exceptional celebration of iconic African dishes and culinary traditions that are now an important part of London’s diverse food culture. I look forward to seeing Londoners and visitors come together for what promises to be a truly memorable day.”

 

Vice Chair of the Community Advisory Group, Zerritha Brown FRSA, said: “Black On The Square celebrates Black creativity, excellence and joy right here in this beautiful city. As a Black Londoner and Vice Chair of the Black On The Square Community Advisory Group, it has been a privilege to be part of bringing this free event to the heart of London for a 4th year, platforming the heritage, contribution and cultural exchange that shape our diverse city.”