October 1 - October 31
| Date | All of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where | International |
About Black History Month 2026: 1 to 31 October
Black History Month 2026 runs from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October 2026 in the UK. It is a month to recognise the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in Britain. The national campaign and its theme are published by Black History Month UK. In the United States and Canada, Black History Month is held in February.
| Year | UK (October) | US and Canada (February) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 1 to Saturday 31 October 2026 | Sunday 1 to Saturday 28 February 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday 1 to Sunday 31 October 2027 | Monday 1 to Sunday 28 February 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday 1 to Tuesday 31 October 2028 | Tuesday 1 to Tuesday 29 February 2028 |
What’s happening in 2026
- The 2026 theme is “Honouring Our Communities”. The national campaign describes it as being about people rather than place or postcode: recognising Black individuals whose everyday contributions often go unseen, such as volunteers, teachers, nurses, carers and community organisers.
- Honouring Black Britain 2026. A national nomination scheme to formally recognise individuals during the month. Nominations closed at midnight on 30 June 2026, so this year’s focus is on the people selected.
- Resource Pack and magazine. The official 2026 Resource Pack (exhibition posters, lesson plans, audio profiles and campaign materials) costs £84.45 including postage, and the National Black History Month Magazine is sold in boxes of around 50 for £79.50.
- Events listings. The campaign site lists events by region. Examples for 2026 include a Black History Month launch concert, Black Classics in Concert, at Leicester Cathedral on Thursday 1 October, and a Reel Histories film programme in Leicester running to 28 October.
- Half term. Many schools in England and all of Wales break from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 (Birmingham, Wales), which leaves about three and a half teaching weeks in the month.
How to take part in 2026
- Schools: run a “community heroes” project that fits the theme. Pupils nominate and interview a Black person who makes a difference locally, then share the profiles before half term.
- Workplaces: recognise colleagues and community partners by name, and give your staff network a budget and a date, not just a statement.
- Councils and libraries: add your events to the regional listings on the national site so residents can find them.
- Community groups: use the month to record oral histories from long-standing members before those stories are lost.
- Organisations with US colleagues: plan for both months. The UK programme runs in October 2026 and the US and Canadian one in February 2027.
Key dates around Black History Month 2026
- Friday 2 October: World Smile Day
- Saturday 10 October: World Mental Health Day
- Friday 16 October: World Food Day
- Monday 26 to Friday 30 October: October half term in many areas
- Tuesday 22 June 2027: Windrush Day
For the history of Black History Month and ideas that work every year, see our guide to Black History Month. For everything else happening this month, see October awareness days and weeks.
Plan around Black History Month 2026: 1 to 31 October and every key date in October
The free marketing calendar lists the retail, seasonal, awareness and social dates UK and US teams plan around, month by month, with why each one matters.
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2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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