Top events & things to experience this October in London & beyond , including art exhibitions, film screenings, theatre performances, and more.
Art Exhibitions
Kerry James Marshall: The Histories
Dates: 20 September 2025 – 18 January 2026
Main Galleries | Burlington House
Venue: Royal Academy of Arts, London
What: A major retrospective of the acclaimed American artist, showcasing his powerful explorations of Black identity and history. More Info: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/kerry-james-marshall
Nigerian Modernism
Dates: 8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026
Venue: Tate Modern, London
Description: The first UK exhibition tracing the development of modern art in Nigeria, featuring over 50 artists from the 1940s to the present.
More Info: (Tate)
Highlights: 1:54 African Art Fair 16-19 October 2025
- Both new and returning exhibitors will showcase the work of over 100 artists across a diverse range of mediums, including: painting, photography, sculpture, performance, mixed media, textiles, and ceramics.
- Featuring renowned artists such as Hassan Hajjaj, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Lakwena Maciver, and Seydou Keita exhibited alongside rising and emerging talents like Joël Bigaignon, Zenaéca Singh, Khadija El Abyad, and Afeez Onakoya
- This year’s fair will shine a spotlight on Nigeria, showcasing over 15 artists – including Samuel Nnorom, Austin Uzor, and Ayoola Gbolahan
- South Africa also sees a strong representation, featuring artists such as Reggie Khumalo, Zana Masombuka, and Boemo Diale
TRANSMUTE by Bushra Fakhoury
- Dates: 7–11 October 2025
- Venue: Mall Galleries, London
- Description: A selection of sculptures by renowned British sculptor Bushra Fakhoury, inspired by Picasso, Goya, and Rodin.
- More Info: (Mall Galleries)
The Ground Beneath: Material Memory and the Resilience of Hope
Dates: Opening 8 October 2025
Venue: Messums London, 28 Cork Street, W1S 3NG What: An exhibition curated by Lisa Anderson, featuring Black and African diasporic artists transforming overlooked materials into works of resistance, reflection, and repair.
More Info: (Messums: Org)
Film
Black British Hood Feminism South London Gallery
Looks at how we can make softer spaces, without reinforcing structures of colonial power. At a time when creating art is increasingly precarious, Black British Hood Feminism is a catalyst to explore how we can create safe, empowering creative communities.
Join us at the SLG on 11 Oct for a special screening and conversation exploring Black British Hood Feminist practices through music, film, art and community.
Be the first to watch Hillarynx’s new music video and enjoy live sonic performances. Followed by a conversation with Hillarynx @htothehilla, Maniko @maniko_02, NuAloe @nualoe__ and Claudia Wilson from @purevinyllondon moderated by Lauren Gee @laurentaylorgee
📅 Sat 11 Oct, 3-5pm
🎟️ £10 / £5 concessions
🔗 Tickets on the South London Gallery website.
AFRICA XCHANGE SUMMIT
- Dates: 15–16 October 2025
- Venue: Film Festival Cologne, Germany
- Description: A two-day event convening leading industry professionals from African and European film, gaming, technology, and finance sectors to foster collaboration and promote market development.
- More Info: (Film Festival Cologne)
BLKNWS: TERMS & CONDITIONS
Date: 12 October 2025, 15:15
Venue: BFI Southbank, NFT1, London Description: Director Kahlil Joseph’s feature debut is an era-and genre-spanning history of the Black diaspora, blending fictional and historical characters into an immersive story.
More Info: (whatson.bfi.org.uk)
KHARTOUM
Date: 11 October 2025, 21:10
Venue: BFI Southbank, NFT3, London
Description: A film depicting the lives of five Sudanese citizens affected by ongoing conflict, powerfully articulating their memories, hopes, and dreams.
More Info: (whatson.bfi.org.uk)
ONE WOMAN, ONE BRA
Date: 11 October 2025, 20:30
Venue: BFI Southbank, NFT2, London
Description: Kenyan filmmaker Vincho Nchogu’s humorous account of one woman’s fight to keep her ancestral land.
More Info: (whatson.bfi.org.uk)
Theatre
The Harder They Come
Dates: Until 1 November 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Stratford East, London
The story:
Based on the cult classic film that brought reggae to the world, THE HARDER THEY COME tells the story of Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, determined to live out his dreams on his own terms and make it as a music superstar.
After cutting a record deal with a manipulative music mogul, Ivan learns that the game is rigged and becomes increasingly defiant. As his star rises, he finds himself topping the charts and the most-wanted list of criminals.
Theatre Peckham October Season Young Gifted, Black
A season celebrating Young Black Brilliance on stage at Theatre Peckham.
- Dates: Throughout October 2025
- Venue: Theatre Peckham, London
- Description: A season of innovative performances showcasing emerging talent and diverse voices.
https://www.theatrepeckham.co.uk/young-gifted-black-2025/
Bush Theatre Not Your Superwoman
Maybe Joyce is right. Maybe they are cursed. Maybe they didn’t break the cycle. Maybe the cycle can never be broken.
Starring celebrated actors Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton) and Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Not Your Superwoman is a world premiere production co-created by writer Emma Dennis Edwards and director Lynette Linton (Shifters).
- Dates: Until November 1st
- Venue: Bush Theatre, London
- Description: A compelling new production featuring Letitia Wright, exploring contemporary themes through powerful storytelling.
- More Info: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/not-your-superwoman/
Podcasts
Verandah Talk Podcast by Suzette Llewellyn and Suzanne Packer
- Description: A podcast This is Verandah Talk. We’re Suzette and Suzanne. We’re both actors and have been close friends since the 1990s. In 2020, we became co-authors of Still Breathing: 100 Black Voices on Racism. We invited musicians, athletes, civil servants, doctors, lawyers, and other creative professionals to share their own experiences of racism. On this podcast, we’re connecting with them again to deepen our understanding of their powerful stories. We’re all at peace with our thoughts on our verandah. Come listen in”. Talking to Rakie Ayola, Kwame Kwei-Armah and more
- Listen Here: https://rephonic.com/podcasts/verandah-talk
BOOKS
Anni Domingo Book Available in Tesco Anni Domingo’s Breaking the Maafa Chain
London-based Jacaranda Books has collaborated with Tesco for Black History Month. This year’s campaign, falls under Tesco’s Black Action Plan – a strategy to achieve fair and equitable representation across key areas of the business – will run for an extended six weeks
Other books included are
Stick to my Roots by British Tippa Irie; Becoming Muhammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson; and If I Don’t Have You by the late acclaimed author and editor Sareeta Domingo.
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