Welcome to the Melan Magazine August Out & About roundup of popups, theatre and art activities to add to your August plans.

August is arguably the busiest time of year for holidays and travelling. If you’re reading this while on some fancy break, lucky you! For those of you in the UK, enjoying the unusually long warm weather, we’ve got you.

This month, our roundup includes foodie festivals, plays and lots of other cultural events.  Browse through our list and make a note to add them to your calendar.

If you attend any of these events we’d love to hear about it; let us know how it went in the comments.

To share your events for consideration in future roundups, email: info@melanmag.com with “Out & About” as the heading.

Watch these plays

The Story – by Tracey Scott Wilson

Head on over to the National Theatre to watch the UK premiere of The Story, a gripping newsroom drama by Tracey Scott Wilson, starring Black Panther star, Letitia Wright.

In this, her National Theatre debut, Wright plays an ambitious reporter, who along with her journalist colleagues, races to break a story that could define their careers. When the death of a white schoolteacher in a predominantly Black neighbourhood ignites media attention, the pursuit of the headline quickly becomes a complex and morally charged investigation.

The Story, directed by Clint Dyer, originally premiered in New York in 2003 and is inspired by real-life events.

Date: Thursday 27 August to Saturday 24 October
Venue: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX
Buy tickets

Love in Lagos

You don’t want to miss this African reimagination of Romeo & Juliet set in 1960s Lagos, Nigeria.

The play is set in post-independence Lagos where two powerful families vie for a political seat which is now vacant. The Adeyemis, Yoruba indigenes whose bloodline can be traced to the foundation of Lagos, and the Okonkwos, Igbo settlers whose wealth and sweat have built half the constituency, do not see eye to eye. When the eldest son of one family and the only daughter of the other meet at an Egungun festival and fall in love, can their union bring hope and peace?

Book of the week: Welcome to Lagos, by Chibundu Onuzo

Love in Lagos starring Bisola Aiyeola and Uzor Arukwe, is only available for a limited run in the UK – London, Coventry and Manchester.

Dates / Venues:
Saturday 29 August – London – Gateway House, Woolwich
Sunday 30 August – Coventry – The Albany Theatre
Monday 31 August – Manchester – The Midland Hotel, M60 2DS
Run time: 2 hours 20 minutes plus an interval
Buy tickets

Visit these cultural events

African Fashion Week London

Now in its 16th year, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) returns to host its annual catwalk and exhibition event.

Taking place over two days, visitors to AFWL can enjoy a wide range of activities. Are you looking to discover your next favourite designer or searching for something extraordinary for your wardrobe? Perhaps you simply want to soak up the energy and creativity of African fashion and the many beauty and lifestyle exhibitors in attendance. You won’t be disappointed, AFWL promises to be an unforgettable experience.

First look at designers for Africa Fashion Week London 2026 (AFWL2026)

Date: Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 August
Time: 12 -9pm
Venue: 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY
Buy tickets

National Maritime Museum – International Slavery Remembrance Day

The museum invites you to their annual International Slavery Remembrance Day event. The day, observed on 23 August, commemorates the uprising that began in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) in 1791, recognised as the resistance of enslaved people across the world.

Drawing on the National Maritime Museum’s collections, visitors will be invited to explore how histories of slavery are interpreted, challenged and reimagined through a programme of workshops, film screenings, performances, artist-led activities and talks. Throughout the day, artists and speakers will examine themes including memory, resistance, cultural heritage, collecting practices and the continuing impact of slavery and empire.

Don’t miss the keynote address delivered by Wanda Wyporska, Chief Executive of Black Cultural Archives at 11.15am on the day.

Date: Sunday 23 August
Time: 11am – 5pm
Venue: National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House, Greenwich, SE10 9NF
Admission: Free
Learn more

Notting Hill Carnival 2026

This is your reminder to mark the date for Notting Hill Carnival 2026 in your calendar. This year is the 60th anniversary of the carnival, which is Europe’s largest Caribbean cultural event and the world’s second largest carnival.

Come along to enjoy the mas bands, sound systems, colourful costumes, and incredible street food.

Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said: “2026 is a special year for Notting Hill Carnival. It is six decades of costumes, colour, sound, Steelpan, Calypso, Soca and sound systems. Six decades of a community that turned exclusion into expression, and struggle into celebration.”

Date: Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31
Venue: Streets of Notting Hill / West London
Learn more

Jour De Fête: Ivory Coast Independence Party

Looking to celebrate Ivory Coast’s 66^th Independence Day with afrobeats and a night club experience? Hosted by Afro Ivoire Ents, “Jour de Fete” promises a vibe-filled night filled with Francophone and West African nightlife culture.

Date: Friday 7 August
Time: From 9pm
Venue: Grand Empire, 108-110 Rushey Green, SE6 4HW
Book tickets

African & Caribbean Weekly Market

Show your support for the Black Pound by visiting this free popup community market, taking place every Saturday throughout August.

Shopping for gifts or even for yourself? You’ll have lots of choice at the many African and Caribbean independent Beauty, food and fashion brands and so much more.

Date: Every Saturday throughout August
Time: 11am – 6pm
Venue: Lewisham Shopping Centre, Molesworth Street, SE13 7HB
Learn more

Bradford Afrobeats & Amapiano Outdoor Festival – featuring DJ Neptune

Love afrobeats? Don’t miss one of Bradford’s biggest outdoor afrobeats experiences. This festival promises to bring together music lovers from across the UK for an unforgettable summer celebration.

Headlined by international afrobeats superstar DJ Neptune, get ready to get down to the very best in afrobeats, amapiano, afro-house and feel-good party anthems. Food, drinks and fun games are also on offer. Come along for the culture, food and good vibes.

Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: starting at 3pm
Venue: Continental Kitchen & Bar, 32 Sticker Lane, Bradford, BD4 8DN
Buy tickets

Don’t miss these foodie events

Roast Chicken Festival

Calling all roast chicken lovers. This one’s for you! Over three days at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, ROOST is bringing together the world’s best roast chicken chefs and connoisseurs for your delectation.

The global lineup of top ‘roast chicken’ chefs includes traders from “South Carolina deep-fried chicken and Texas smoke to Harlem pan-fried Southern, NYC crispy, Caribbean flavours, Middle Eastern spice, buttery schnitzels, British roast and classic French rotisserie, every trader brings a different style, technique and story to the grill.”

Visitors will also enjoy live competitions, cooking demos, live music and accessible tasting menus. Our advice? Come hungry!

Date: Friday 21 August to Sunday 23 August
Venue: Allianz Stadium, 200 Whitton Rd, Twickenham, TW2 7BA
Buy tickets

Black Eats Fest

Since 2021, those in the know have been quietly enjoying the Black Eats Fest events. The next one, taking place this month, will once again serve a lineup of Afro-Caribbean vendors, offering visitors a celebration of food, culture and community.

A warm and welcoming space for the whole family, come along to appreciate the vibes from the live DJs, support the amazing vendors and sample the mouthwatering food and drink on offer. Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere.

Date: Friday 7 August to Sunday 9 August
Times: (Daytime 12pm to 4pm – family-friendly) / (Evening 5pm to 9pm – 18+)
Venue: Hackney Bridge, East Bay Lane, E15 2SJ
Buy tickets 

Taste of the Caribbean Food & Drink Festival (Southend-On-Sea)

Don’t say we don’t put you on! Taste of the Caribbean is a favourite for those in the know. With its year-long programme, you can find Taste of the Caribbean food festivals taking place in various locations. Look out for the Taste of Caribbean Food Festival taking place in Southend-on-Sea at the end of August.

For a slice of sunny Caribbean culture in the middle of Southend-on-Sea, head to the foodie festival celebrating rich and mouth-watering flavours by the many street food vendors. The festival offers much more than just delicious bites. Explore the artisan market filled with local treasures, cookery demonstrations by renowned celebrity chefs and get down to live entertainment on the music stage. Bring the kids, it is a true family day out.

Venue: Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ND
Dates: Saturday 29 August to Sunday 30 August
Time: 10am–8pm
Buy tickets