Black History Month is held every year in October. It promotes the history and contributions that Black people with origins in Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America and other Black communities around the world have made to Cambridge and the UK.

Events around the country include history and heritage, arts and culture, news and ideas from a range of communities. It is an opportunity to share activities and experiences.

Black History Month 2026

The theme for Black History Month 2026 is Honouring Our Communities, to recognise and appreciate individuals whose contributions are part of everyday life, yet too often go unseen.

The below Events are taking place in Cambridge to celebrate Black History Month, including:

• SustainFest Connect 2026: taking place on Saturday 3 October, 10am to 3.30pm at the Histon Innovation Centre, Cambridge, this family-friendly event offers an opportunity to celebrate Black History Month through storytelling and creative activities, including teddy tombola, face painting, ceramics and live band and drumming performances.
• SustainConnect, Industry for the Planet: join this full-day event on Saturday 3 October at the Holiday Inn Cambridge, featuring keynote sessions, a fashion showcase, networking opportunities and a ticketed Gala Dinner. Celebrating Black History Month through innovation, trade, leadership and sustainable progress.

These events are being supported through council grant funding. Visit the Black History Month website to find out more about the celebration and explore national events happening throughout the month.

Windrush generation in Cambridge

The Windrush generation are people who moved to the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971. They were encouraged to do so to help with post-war labour shortages and to rebuild the UK’s economy.

In 2023, Oblique Arts collated stories from people in Cambridge who are part of the Windrush generation. They captured the stories of their lives before they came here, their journeys, and their experiences of living here.

You can download a free booklet of the stories from Oblique Arts.

The African Caribbean Research Group conducted the interviews for Oblique Arts. We supported the project with a Community Grant.

On Windrush Day in June 2024, we supported a tea party at the Guildhall. Local people of different ethnicities came together to honour the memory and hard work of the Windrush Generation and their contributions to Cambridge.