The Ultimate Guide to African Diaspora Events in the UK — Your 2025 Calendar of Culture, Cuisine & Community

Moving to or living in the UK as part of the African diaspora means carrying home with you — and nowhere does that spirit shine brighter than the annual calendar of cultural celebrations. From colourful street festivals to intimate coffee ceremonies, these events bring together community, creativity, and cuisine. Whether you’re reconnecting with heritage, introducing friends to African traditions, or simply craving a weekend of music and food, this guide will help you plan your 2025 diary.

January — Ethiopian Timkat Festival UK

Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
What to Expect: London’s Ethiopian Orthodox congregations host vibrant Timkat (Epiphany) ceremonies with colourfully embroidered robes, processions, and traditional coffee ceremonies. Enjoy injera platters, tej honey wine, and cultural dance performances.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/EthiopianCommunityUK | Instagram → instagram.com/ethiopiancommunityuk

March — Ghana Independence Day London

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
What to Expect: Celebratory drumming circles, kente fashion shows, storytelling sessions, and street‑food stalls featuring waakye, kelewele, and banku with tilapia. Family‑friendly and free entry.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/GhanaianCommunityUK | Instagram → instagram.com/ghanaiancommunityuk

April — Harare Day UK

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
What to Expect: Picnic‑style festival celebrating Zimbabwean culture with mbira music, Sadza cooking demos, art markets, and poetry readings in Shona and Ndebele.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/ZimbabweDiasporaUK

May — Africa Day London

Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
What to Expect: The UK’s largest Pan‑African gathering at Trafalgar Square: live Afrobeat and highlife music, dance workshops, artisan markets, and food stalls serving jollof rice, injera, bunny chow, and more.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/AfricaDayLondon | Instagram → instagram.com/africadaylondon

June — Cameroon Cultural Day UK

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
What to Expect: Makossa dance workshops, traditional drumming, cassava fufu tastings, and Batik fabric marketplaces celebrating Cameroon’s diverse cultures.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/CameroonDiasporaUK | Instagram → instagram.com/cameroondiasporauk

July — UK Afrobeat Festival

Date: Saturday–Sunday, July 12–13, 2025
What to Expect: Outdoor music festival headlined by top Afrobeats artists, dance workshops, street‑food stalls, and artisan vendors selling fashion and art.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/UKAfrobeatFestival | Instagram → instagram.com/ukafrobeatfestival

September — South African Braai Day UK

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
What to Expect: Outdoor braais (barbecues) celebrating South African flavours: boerewors, chakalaka, malva pudding, live mbaqanga music, and South African wine tastings in London parks.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/SouthAfricanCommunityUK | Instagram → instagram.com/southafricancommunityuk

October — Nigerian Independence Day UK

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
What to Expect: Street parties bursting with Afrobeat DJs, dance competitions, Nollywood screenings, and stalls selling suya, pepper soup, puff‑puff, and amala.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/NigeriansInUK | Instagram → instagram.com/nigeriansinuk

October — Mashujaa Day UK (Kenya)

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
What to Expect: Kenyan cultural showcases featuring Swahili poetry slams, fashion shows, nyama choma stalls, and interactive storytelling sessions.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/KenyanDiasporaUK | Instagram → instagram.com/kenyandiasporauk

December — Tanzanian Diaspora Gathering UK

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
What to Expect: Taarab music concerts, Swahili film screenings, ugali cooking classes, and Tanzanian art exhibitions — a festive end‑of‑year gathering.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/TanzanianCommunityUK | Instagram → instagram.com/tanzaniancommunityuk

Eid Celebrations — Somali Community UK

Dates: Eid al‑Fitr (approx. April 10, 2025) & Eid al‑Adha (approx. June 17, 2025)
What to Expect: Communal prayers followed by feasts of sambusas, canjeero pancakes, halwa sweets, and sharbat drinks in mosques and community halls across major UK cities.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/SomaliCommunityUK | Instagram → instagram.com/somalicommunityuk

March — Afro Hair & Beauty Live

Date: Weekend of March 22–23, 2025
What to Expect: UK’s largest expo for Afro haircare and beauty — discover product launches, styling tutorials, competitions, and networking with leading stylists.
Follow: Facebook → facebook.com/AfroHairBeautyLive | Instagram → instagram.com/afrohairbeautylive

Planning Tips

• RSVP early: Most events are free but require registration.
• Public transport: Book train and coach tickets weeks in advance for better fares.
• Accommodation: London hotels fill fast around May and July events — consider Airbnb or nearby towns.
• Stay connected: Turn on notifications for all Facebook/Instagram pages to get real‑time updates on venue changes and ticket releases.

Here’s a consolidated list of the most popular African diaspora events across the UK — complete with brief descriptions, when they typically occur, and direct social‑media links so you can RSVP, follow updates, and add them to your calendar.