You Belong Here

Taking its name from the nine-metre-high neon artwork illuminating the Hayward Gallery exterior as part of Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere exhibition, You Belong Here features a wealth of world-class events for families, adults and diverse communities that explore notions of belonging and encourage a sense of togetherness and community.

The diverse summer programme includes free live events happening every weekend of the festival and plenty of thought-provoking public art installations. Highlighting key voices from activism, history, journalism, filmmaking and the performing arts, You Belong Here presents an inclusive programme that focuses on the importance of welcoming all, including those who may often feel sidelined by society.

You Belong Here programme highlights include:

Music and performance

Sun 30 June
As part of Refugee Week, From the Lips to the Moon combines music, poetry and hypnotic visuals in a live improvised performance.

4–7 July
New contemporary-classical music festival Sound Within Sound takes audiences on a journey through unconventional musical experiences and overlooked musicians.

13–14 July
Family show Home transports audiences into the fairy-tale world of creator Anastasiia Liubchenko, to explore themes of displacement and what makes a home.

18–⁠20 July 
Crazy Smooth: In My Body brings together an intergenerational group of street and hip-hop dancers to explore what it means to belong as the dancing body ages.

24–28 July 
Celebrate the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture in circus show Afrique En Cirque, combining enthralling acrobatics with Afro-jazz rhythms.

4–8 September
The biennial Unlimited festival returns, celebrating the work of disabled artists through a range of artforms.

Literature

Sat 13 July 
To mark her debut picture book Strong Like Me, Kelechi Okafor is joined by a panel of remarkable women to discuss personal interpretations of strength and Black womanhood in today's world.

Sun 21 July
The 100th birthday of iconic 20th-century writer and activist James Baldwin is marked by panel discussions and readings as part of the Conversations with Baldwin Book Club, presented in collaboration with Words of Colour (Sunday 21 July 2024, Purcell Room).

Thu 11 July
BAFTA-winning historian and film-maker David Olusoga draws upon his acclaimed documentaries to chart the story of Black British history (Thursday 11 July, Royal Festival Hall).

Sun 14 July
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sangera traces the legacies and influence of the British Empire in his ground-breaking book Empireworld (Sunday 14 July, Queen Elizabeth Hall).

Free events highlights

Celebrate the diverse communities that make London what it is with colourful showcases on the Riverside Terrace.

Sat 29 June
NAZAR returns for Pride, showcasing DJ’s from SWANA and South Asian communities

12 & 13 July
Lewisham-based youth arts collective SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS Bring The Noise with an evening of music from South East London-based creatives and All Routes Lead In creates a colourful amalgamation of workshops from young people, for everyone.

Sun 14 July
Nurture well-being, connection and creativity with community gardening event Up on the Roof, hosted by horticultural therapy group Grounded Ecotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.

Fri 19 July
Just Vibez collective brings the Carnival with a Friday Fete.

Sat 20 July
Join Jazz re:freshed for the 11th edition of JAZZ RE:FEST, a celebration of all things jazz, spotlighting up-and-coming artists alongside international names.

26–28 July
AZEEMA
Celebrate the sound of global transcultural identities from London to Africa, Asia and beyond, and explore community and connections through workshops, parties, music performance and conversations at this weekend takeover by AZEEMA.

2–4 August
FLAWA presents a weekend of Latin-American performances and sounds from the Global South. 

9–11 August
Counterpoints Arts brings the fun with a weekend of communal workshops and performances, including the inclusive club night Our HeartBeats featuring young refugees with big DJ dreams.

8–11 August
Explore Somalia’s rich heritage by entering interactive installation The House of Weaving Songs, a dome steel structure reminiscent of a nomadic home installed in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.

16–18 August
Move along to ambient and street-smart sounds with ESEA Unseen, who bring DJs and British artists from the ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) diaspora to the floor. ESEA Unseen's weekend takeover also includes guided walks, workshops, storytelling, participatory processions and performances.