Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

Black History Month’s an opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of Black heritage and culture.

Here in Manchester and the North, you’ll find a fantastic programme of events taking place throughout October. From exhibitions to theatre shows and film, we’ve rounded up our arts and cultural highlights.

Our top picks

Mama Afrika: Celebrating the Life of Miriam Makeba at Waterside

Mama Afrika: Celebrating the Life of Miriam Makeba at Waterside, Manchester, 24 October 2025, From £19.00 - Book now

Waterside marks Black History Month with an evening of music, resistance and extraordinary storytelling, bringing to life the remarkable journey of a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose voice became a soundtrack to the struggle for freedom.

Mama Afrika: Celebrating the Life of Miriam Makeba at Waterside: Actress Anna Mudeka dressed as Miriam Makeba in traditional African costume
Image courtesy of Gideon Graylyons.

Roots in the Sky at HOME

Roots in the Sky at HOME Manchester, Manchester, Until 25 January 2026 - Book now

HOME’s latest exhibition, Roots in the Sky is a curatorial project by British-Nigerian artist Tunji Adeniyi-Jones.

Image supplied by Home MCR

Menelik Shabazz: Rebel Generation at Hyde Park Picture House

Menelik Shabazz: Rebel Generation at Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds, Until 25 October 2025, From £6.00 - Book now

Discover the life and work of a pioneering figure in Black British cinema through a series of screenings, talks and workshops in Leeds.

Kino/ Sunday Soul #3 Any Other Way – The Jackie Shane Story at Nia Centre

Kino/ Sunday Soul #3 Any Other Way - The Jackie Shane Story at Niamos Centre, Manchester, Manchester, 26 October 2025, From £6.00 - Book now

Kino present Northern Soul DJs alongside an exclusive documentary about pioneering Black, transgender soul singer, Jackie Shane.

Jackie Shane promo 3
NFBC
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

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Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.