Essential information
| Type |
Events and festivals
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Saturday 25 July 2026 | 10am-5pm |
| Prices | Free |
Our long-term friends at the Caribbean Social Forum are back with a vibrant, family-friendly celebration at Royal Museums Greenwich!
This year we're proudly celebrating the fifth anniversary of Caribbean Takeover. Over the past five years, we’ve grown into a vibrant platform that champions Caribbean culture, education, music and community, bringing people together through unforgettable experiences.
We’re also honouring the 60th anniversary of Notting Hill Carnival, recognising its enduring legacy and cultural impact.
All are welcome – come and immerse yourself in the spirit of the Caribbean and be part of a celebration like no other.
Jump to:
Event highlights
Caribbean Takeover Special Menu
Image
A taste of the Caribbean
Enjoy a limited-edition menu inspired by the rich flavours and vibrant traditions of Caribbean food culture, available exclusively at the Ocean Court Café upstairs and the Parkside Café downstairs at the National Maritime Museum on Saturday 25 July.
Image
Shows and performances
Welcome ceremony
10.45am-11.15am | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Calypso and Soca dancing
11.30am-12pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Reggae dancing
12.20pm-1pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Calypso and Soca dancing
1.20pm-2pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Reggae dancing
2.20pm-3pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
African drumming
Throughout the day | Outside the main entrance to the National Maritime Museum
Steel pan performance
Throughout the day | Next to the statue of King William IV, by the parkside entrance to the National Maritime Museum
Closing ceremony
3.45pm-4.30pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Musical, dance performances and speeches bring the day of celebration to a close.
Image
Activities and workshops
From musical workshops to craft sessions, check out our range of activities taking place. Events are drop-in.
Carnival headwear
11.15am-1pm | Learning Space, National Maritime Museum
Caribbean folk songs
11.30am-12.30pm | Rethink Space, National Maritime Museum
Fibre workshop
11.30am-1pm | Reflection Space in the Atlantic Worlds gallery, National Maritime Museum
Creative workshop: Tree of Cultural Connection
11.30am-1pm | Propeller Space, National Maritime Museum
Make a community-centred artwork that celebrates creativity and carnival. This hands-on session will be led by Carl Gabriel, internationally renowned sculptor and carnival artist, and Cee Boulaqui, founder of award-winning band, Vibrance Mas.
Crochet workshop
11.45am-1pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum
Caribbean folk songs
1pm-2pm | Rethink Space, National Maritime Museum
Image
African headdresses
1.45pm-3.45pm | Learning Space, National Maritime Museum
Textile workshop
2pm-3.30pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum
Creative workshop: Tree of Cultural Connection
2pm-3.30pm | Propeller Space, National Maritime Museum
Make a community-centred artwork that celebrates creativity and carnival. This hands-on session will be led by Carl Gabriel, internationally renowned sculptor and carnival artist, and Cee Boulaqui, founder of award-winning band, Vibrance Mas.
Artist workshop with Paula Ogun Hector
2pm-3.30pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum
Fibre workshop
2pm-3.45pm | Reflection Space in the Atlantic Worlds gallery, National Maritime Museum
Image
Caricature artist illustrations
Throughout the day | Roaming around the National Maritime Museum
Magician
Throughout the day | Roaming around the National Maritime Museum
Games without wires and dominoes
Throughout the day | Figurehead Space, National Maritime Museum
Dominoes
Throughout the day | Lawn next to Nelson's Ship in a Bottle artwork
Family workshop: Carving stories and symbols
Throughout the day | Voyagers gallery, National Maritime Museum
Ships from the Caribbean puzzle
Throughout the day | Screen near the Information Desk at the National Maritime Museum
Character actors: Walking Images
Throughout the day | Roaming around the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House
Costumed performers bring historical Caribbean and Black British figures to life.
Image
Talks
Join us for a series of talks and discussions about Caribbean heritage and culture, given by creatives, academics and historians.
Is the Caribbean key? Given by Bonnie Greer, OBE FRSL
11.30am-12.15pm | Great Hall, Queen's House
Carnival Reflection given by Ansel Wong CBE
11.30am-12.15pm | Lecture Theatre, National Maritime Museum
Past Black Lives – Understanding Slavery in the Digital Age given by Professor Matthew J. Smith FRHistS
12.30pm-1.15pm | Lecture Theatre, National Maritime Museum
The John Blanke Story – Mapping Black London given by Michael I. Ohajuru DUniv, FRSA
1pm -1.45pm | Great Hall, Queen's House
Garvey and Garveyism – The Eternal Legacy given by Kyungu Gordon-Walker
2pm-2.45pm | Great Hall, Queen's House
Threads of Legacy: An Unconventional Journey through Fashion given by Dr Avis Ellis-Charles
2pm-2.45pm | Lecture Theatre, National Maritime Museum
Ex RAF Officer John Smythe, QC, OBE, MBE and his crucial role in the inception of the Windrush Generation given by Eddy Smythe
3pm-3.45pm | Lecture Theatre, National Maritime Museum
20 years of Black History Walks in London given by Tony Warner
3pm-3.45pm | Great Hall, Queen's House
Image
Film screening and Q&A
Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold
11.30pm-1pm and 2pm-3.30pm | Van de Velde Studio, Queen's House
Adapted from Victor Richards' eponymous play, Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold is a celebration of Caribbean-British heritage. The film charts the life of Augustus Cleveland Johnson, following his arrival in England in 1948.
The screenings will be followed by a Q&A session with Richards, offering deeper insight into the Windrush generation and Caribbean-British experiences.
Displays
Artworks by Paula Ogun Hector
2pm-5pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum
Look at pieces by textile artist Paula Ogun Hector, whose work centres around a more inclusive understanding of Black British history. Hector is the founder of Tapestry of Black Britons CIC, a series of digitally woven tapestries that highlight African and Caribbean contributions to Britain.
The Way we Were
Throughout the day | Orangery, Queen's House
A thought-provoking display by the Caribbean Social Forum.
Wall of Remembrance
Throughout the day | Screen on the Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum
Reflections by the Caribbean Social Forum.
Plan your visit
Find stories you might like
How to research Jamaican family history
A brief guide to the records, resources and online collections available for people researching Jamaican ancestry.
Memories of moving to the UK
Shirley Fox shares her memories of moving to the UK, in a special oral history marking 75 years since the Empire Windrush's arrival in Britain
The 'rush' of Windrush
Artists Griffi & Rosie explore the experiences of the Windrush generation as part of a six-month residency at Royal Museums Greenwich
Look inside: The Many Invincible Ones by Sharon Walters
Find out about the artworks in Sharon Walters’ display, now on show in the Queen’s House
The story behind... The Keeper of All The Secrets
Artist Jacqueline Bishop speaks to historian Stella Dadzie about the influences behind her ceramic artwork, now on display in the Queen’s House
Art and culture
Discover the artists, ideas and creativity connected with Greenwich’s galleries and museums
Our partners
Event organised in partnership with the Caribbean Social Forum
