A 5 day Council-led festival to celebrate Windrush will take place from Thursday 18 to Monday 22 June 2026. The festival will tell the stories of courage, creativity and contribution of migrants through music, art, storytelling and creation of a lasting digital archive.

Coventry has a large Caribbean Community whose families came to England on HMS Empire Windrush in 1948, to help rebuild following the Second World War.

Windrush Day is celebrated around the UK on 22nd June and this festival has a series of events to mark the occasion and recognise its legacy in our city.

On Thursday 18 June, a moving screening of Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind, takes place at the Priory Visitor Centre, and followed by a special Q&A with filmmaker and journalist Nadine White. Enjoy Reggae Theatrics: Dub Poetry, Words, Sound, Power and Resistance at the Caribbean Centre on Friday 19 June, and a vibrant outdoor community event - Roots in Motion - the following day at Broadgate Lady Godiva Statue. 

At Coventry Cathedral, there will be a special commemorativer service on Sunday 21 June, and on Monday 22 June, a flag-raising ceremony and reception at the Council House is followed by the Windrush Awards by Arawak Community Trust at the Albany Theatre.

All events are free to attend - for more information, visit Coventry City Council's website.