Black On The Square 2026

Provides a recreational gaming club for young people, which connects them to future careers and opportunities in the booming esports sector.

Home Radio's Ludi Club was inspired by the legacy of Britain's Dominoes Clubs, which represented homes away from home for West Indian migrants following the Windrush years till today.

There will be a chance to participate in both dominoes and ludi games and competitions, throughout the day, free of charge!

Music production: On board the bus, there will be interactive DJ, music production and recording workshops, giving you the opportunity to:

• learn the basics of DJing and music production
• create and mix your own music with support from mentors
• record a short track or vocal and experience the recording process.

Martial arts: Alongside the bus, will be a qualified Muay Thai instructor, delivering introductory fitness sessions to learn basic techniques through supervised pad work.

Celebrate creativity, culture and self-expression! Step into a colourful creative space and choose from vibrant face art or a beautiful braided hairstyle finished with colourful hair or beads. Professional artists and braiders will be creating fun, expressive looks for children throughout the day.

A joyful celebration of artistry, individuality and cultural expression, with something special to wear and enjoy long after you leave the family zone and free of charge, delivered by NYG Collective.

Families will also have the chance to take some selfies and photos with Moana and Maui. In return, they will share their story time, perform songs and teach the kids their popular hula dance.

We Rise: Reimagining Futures Together is an inclusive, rolling drop-in workshop, co-designed and facilitated by Clary Salandy and Natasha Trotman. 

Participants of all ages are invited to explore memory, justice, heritage and future possibilities through creative activities across art, design, craft and engineering. No prior art or craft experience is required. You will experience 3D making and self-portraits. 

Trafalgar Square is easy to reach by public transport, including buses, the Tube, and national rail services.

Underground

The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines. From Westminster Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Trafalgar Square. 

Charing Cross Underground Station is the closest Tube station and is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. However, please note that this station does not have step-free access.

Buses

Bus routes that stop close to Trafalgar Square include: 

Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 23, 87, 88, 91, 139, and 176, with most buses having wheelchair access.

Find step-free routes

For accessible travel options, including step-free routes and Dial-A-Ride services, you can visit the TfL (Transport for London) website for maps and to plan your journey.

National Rail 

The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square. 

Accessible parking 

The surrounding area on Trafalgar Square can get very busy on the day of the event, so we recommend you take public transport if you're visiting the event. If you’re unable to take public transport for accessibility reasons, accessible parking is available near Trafalgar Square.

There are Blue Badge parking spaces on St Martin’s Street, located next to the National Gallery. Please be aware that these spaces are around 250 metres from the National Gallery. There are three designated Blue Badge parking bays available here. 

For more information on parking, contact the Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567 (open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm).

To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, you can find disabled Blue Badge bays on the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN. 

We will do our best to make sure you feel welcome and enjoy our event. Our event staff and volunteers are here to help with any questions you might have. 

When you arrive, our stewards and Team London volunteers will greet you. Our Team London volunteers will be wearing purple high-visibility jackets and are ready to answer any questions. There will also be clear signs to help guide you around the event. Please note, we will conduct a bag search at the entrance for everyone attending. 

The event has a level access entrance, and it is wheelchair accessible. All paths are accessible for wheelchair users and there is a lift that connects the North Terrace to the Main Square. Stewards will be there to help you find your way. Assistance dogs are welcome too. 

The festival can get busy. If being in crowds is difficult for you, you can use our accessible viewing area. It is located on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square. This area has hearing loop facilities for the performances on the main stage, and chairs are available for companions and anyone who needs to sit. If you'd like to reserve a seat at the accesisble viewing area, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to support you. Please share the names of those attending the event with you and the best way to support on the day. 

All shows with speech on the main stage will have a British Sign Language interpreter. You can see this on the screen on the right side of the main stage. 

The event may be loud at times due to music and performances. If you need ear defenders, you can ask for them at our information point or speak to a volunteer for help. 

The event is relaxed. You can join or leave at any time and move around as you like. You do not need to be quiet. 

In addition to toilets, we will also have Mobiloo accessible toilet at the event. This toilet has a hoist and a changing table. If you need to use the hoist, please bring your own sling for safety and convenience. You can find more information on Mobiloo’s website.

Your welfare is our priority. With hot weather expected on the day, we recommend bringing a water bottle to help you stay hydrated. Sunscreen will be available on site, and trained medical staff will be present throughout the event to provide support if needed.

If you need any help on the day with more information about the event, just ask one of our stewards or volunteers, and they will be happy to assist you. 

Searching is a condition of entry to this event.

CCTV is operational in Trafalgar Square.

No bags larger than a standard A4 paper will be permitted, including shopping trolleys.

When full, we will operate a 'one in, one out' policy.

To help protect the safety and welfare of both visitors and staff, the following is a nonexclusive list of items that are prohibited from being brought into Trafalgar Square:

• All liquids
• Bladed items, including; pen knives, fixed bladed knives and scalpels
• Offensive weapons e.g. tasers, etc.
• Imitation or toy weapons, including toy hand grenades and guns
• Items that could be readily converted into weapons
• Component parts of weapons
• Flares or fireworks
• Party poppers and party canons
• Helium filled balloons
• Strobe lights, high intensity torches and lasers
• Hazardous materials e.g. CS gas, pepper spray, gas canisters, acids and alkalis
• Spray paints or cans of paint
• Powders that are not personal prescription medicines or for cosmetic purposes
• Illegal drugs
• Pointed Scissors / pointed tweezers
• Knitting Needles
• Syringes (unless required for personal medical use)
• Placards, banners flags and flag poles
• Mobile phone jamming devices
• Full facial Masks
• Items that could cause loud audible disruption e.g. whistles, megaphones, sirens, air horns, large radios / cd players
• Covert surveillance and recording equipment
• Climbing and abseiling equipment
• Tools e.g. pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, saws, etc.
• Animals, other than assistance dogs
• Bottles containing liquid, water refill points are available within the Square
• Glass items
• Any items considered to be suspicious or unacceptable by security staff for which the owner cannot provide a reasonable explanation for possessing.

Kojo is a cultural strategist and creative economy builder dedicated to championing Black and under-represented communities through arts, commerce, and youth empowerment. As the founder of My Runway Group, he has spent over 13 years creating pathways for emerging creatives and Black-led businesses to access global opportunities, retail visibility, and strategic brand partnerships.

Through initiatives such as Black in Carnaby, London’s first Black-owned concept store in the West End, Kojo has provided a stage for over 200 Black-owned brands to connect with new audiences and thrive in mainstream retail.

Zerritha is an award winning Cultural Producer and Arts Leader, with 20 years’ experience in community and participatory arts and large scale events. She is currently the Head of Culture at Camden Council, having previously led culture at Brent Council for over 10 years.

Zerritha has led on a number of high profile projects with  local communities to amplify the UKs black history.

Dean is an experienced events entrepreneur and founder of Carby & Co Ltd, event production and technical services, and with a BSc in Biomedical Science, he combines analytical thinking, with creative execution, to deliver impactful experiences.

Dean has been a key player in the UK events industry for almost 20 years, originally starting as a radio DJ back when he was a college student to then becoming a popular club DJ and club promoter. Dean has built his career based upon culture, creativity, hard work and grind, with expertise in event design, live production, event marketing, business relationship management and strategic growth.

Today he brings that lived experience and industry expertise into every project — creating platforms, experiences and conversations that reflect the richness of London’s Black community and its evolving narrative.

Josette is Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Artistic Director for The National Black Theatre of Sweden. Prior to this, she served as Director of Acting at Stockholm University of the Arts and Artistic Director for The National Touring Swedish Deaf Theatre ensemble Tyst Teater Riksteatern.

Josette is an award-winning actor and director whose career has included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Nadine is a multi-award-winning journalist, filmmaker and founder of Black Current News. In 2021, she became Britain’s first dedicated Race Correspondent, leading national coverage on Black communities, politics and social justice. 

She is also an author and director of Brixton Heights Media, an acclaimed film production company.

With over 18 years of international experience, Nadu has worked with leading brands including Red Bull, Spotify Africa, Afro Nation, and Afropunk, bringing complex ideas to life through creativity, expertise, and community. 

Nadu is founder and CEO of The Zoo XYZ, a global purpose-driven event agency dedicated to creating culturally significant and impactful experiences. Under Nadu's leadership, The Zoo XYZ champions access, diversity, and representation in the events industry.

Nokuthula is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Kintsugi Creative, a
cultural Marketing and PR agency, helping global brands connect authentically with culture,
diverse communities, and youth audiences, to drive relevance and measurable impact. Working with leading UK brands including McDonald’s, Morrisons, PrettyLittleThing, Just Eat, and more, Nokuthula is also a writer, speaker, and educator.

Bringing cross-industry experience spanning entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, FMCG, and beauty, she was named one of the UK’s Most Influential African Entrepreneurs on the CREST Africa Power 100 List, won Startup Business Woman of the Year 2025 at The UK Business Awards, and has spoken at the Houses of Parliament on women’s contribution to the UK economy.

Nubia is a twice-published author, journalist, and film director, whose work engages social critique, Black political history, and contemporary youth culture. Her writing examines political thought and cultural identity with a focus on social history and present-day civic life. 

She develops spatial projects and activations that explore dynamic ways of gathering, and is the founder of 'be still', a wellness organisation producing restorative practices rooted in holistic knowledge and community care.