Birmingham is preparing to celebrate the people, music and ideas that have shaped the city, as its Black History Month programme gets ready to launch.

The 2026 schedule will be unveiled on Monday, 28 September, at Jamaya on Colmore Row, ahead of a month of events running throughout October.

This year marks the 35th time the city has held the celebration, which was first staged in Birmingham in 1992.

What is Black History Month in Birmingham?

It is a city-wide programme of exhibitions, talks, performances and family activities recognising the contribution of Birmingham's African and Caribbean communities.

Over three and a half decades it has grown into one of the most important fixtures on the city's cultural calendar.

Local history runs deep here, from the athletes who trained with Birchfield Harriers to Reverend Eve Pitts, who in 1994 became the UK's first Black female vicar at Holy Trinity Church in Birchfield.

Which Black history events are on in 2026?

Highlights include the Birming-Strong exhibition at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, running from 3 to 12 October.

It shines a light on the reggae and urban music scene that grew up in north Birmingham and helped shape the sound of the city.

Later in the season, Thinktank science museum hosts BlackSTEAM on 31 October and 8 November.

The annual festival celebrates Black achievement across science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths, and is a popular choice for families and young people.

Together, the events aim to share new stories as well as honour the past.

What council leaders say

Councillor Deborah Harries, the city council's cabinet member for culture, said the month is about looking forward as well as back, and about showing how Black history continues to influence 21st-century Birmingham.

She added that it should also raise awareness of the barriers that have limited opportunity and participation, and encouraged everyone to come along and learn more.

Who organises the programme?

The month is produced by the Blackstory Partnership, which is leading the celebration for the 11th year in a row.

It is backed by the city council alongside cultural partners including Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham REP, B:Music, the Legacy Centre of Excellence and the National Trust.

How can you find the full list of events?

Full event listings are available on the official Birmingham Black History Month website.

Printed brochures, which also feature stories of inspiring local people, can be picked up at the Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham REP, Midlands Arts Centre and South and City College campuses.

Whether you are a history buff, a music fan or simply curious, October offers a chance to see Birmingham's story through a fuller lens.

Image: Photo by nappy on Pexels (illustrative).