Caribbean Takeover at the National Maritime Museum

Suitable for all ages

Essential information

Type	Events and festivals
Location	National Maritime Museum Queen's House
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
Event programme

Event highlights

Welcome ceremony

The day will begin with a welcome ceremony led by the Caribbean Social Forum on the Ocean Map at the National Maritime Museum, opening the event and introducing the programme of activities.

Live performances and music

Throughout the day, visitors will encounter live performances across Royal Museums Greenwich, including African drumming, steel pan music, calypso dance and limbo, bringing Caribbean musical traditions to life.

Talks and discussions

A programme of talks and discussions will take place in both the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House, featuring historians, writers and cultural practitioners exploring Caribbean history, heritage and contemporary culture.

Family activities and educational workshops

A range of hands-on workshops and activities will be available for families, including carnival headwear making, fibre and textile workshops and participatory folk song sessions celebrating Caribbean musical traditions.

Roaming entertainment

Visitors will encounter a range of roaming performances and activities throughout the day, including a magician, caricature artist and Walking Images, where costumed performers bring historical Caribbean and Black British figures to life through interactive encounters across the Museum.

Film screening and Q&A

Visitors can attend a screening of Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold, adapted from Victor Richards' acclaimed one-man theatre play. This will be followed by a Q&A session offering further insight into Caribbean-British experiences.

Games and interactives

Interactive activities such as dominoes and other games will take place alongside community-led displays and remembrance installations curated by the Caribbean Social Forum.

Event programme

Two people dance in front of a statue of a ship inside a glass bottle

Image: Jonny Guardiani

Shows and performances

Welcome ceremony

10.45am-11.15am | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum

Calypso and Soca dancing

11.20am-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 Nelson's Ship in a Bottle artwork, outside the parkside entrance to the National Maritime Museum

Closing ceremony

3.30pm-4.30pm | Ocean Map, National Maritime Museum

A boy in a baseball cap sits drawing during a craft activity

Activities and workshops

From musical workshops to craft sessions, check out our range of activities taking place. Events are drop-in.

Carnival headwear

11am-1pm | Learning Space, National Maritime Museum

Fibre workshop

11am-1pm | Reflection Space in the Atlantic Worlds gallery, National Maritime Museum

Caribbean folk songs

11.30am-12.30pm | Rethink Space, National Maritime Museum

Crochet workshop

11.30am-1pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum

Carnival headwear

1.45pm-3.45pm | Learning Space, National Maritime Museum

Caribbean folk songs

2pm-3pm | Rethink Space, National Maritime Museum

Textile workshop

2pm-3.30pm | Group Space, National Maritime Museum

Fibre workshop

2pm-3.45pm | Reflection Space in the Atlantic Worlds gallery, National Maritime Museum

Photo of group of men sitting around a table playing a dominoes game and smiling

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

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

Meet costumed performers bring historical Caribbean and Black British figures to life.

A presenter gives a talk in a lecture theatre

Film screening and Q&A

Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold

11.30pm-1pm and 2pm-3pm | 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 morning screening 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

Outside the 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.