The first known Black family settled in Surrey, British Columbia, in 1912. Today, Surrey is home to BC's largest Black population with a vibrant community woven throughout the city through restaurants, entrepreneurship, festivals, art and music.

Whether you're looking to support Black-owned businesses, discover new flavours or immerse yourself in art and culture, Surrey's Black community offers everything from high-energy festivals to intimate gallery spaces. Here’s your guide to experiencing Black culture in Surrey.

Surrey’s Black Hub for Black-Owned Business

Stretching along King George Boulevard from 108 Ave to 105A Ave through Surrey City Centre, this corridor is the hub for Black-owned businesses that have become Surrey landmarks in their own right.

Indulge in VanSuya’s bold, smoky flavours of Nigerian suya or Di Reggae Cafe’s Jamaican food made with soul. Along the strip, visitors can discover over 5 Black-owned grocery and beauty stores offering everything from hard-to-find Black hair products and Caribbean spices to your favourite crispy plantain chips. Step into cultural shops, bold restaurants from across the diaspora, connecting West & East Africa, the Caribbean, and Afro-Latino cultures.

The strip comes alive every August during the Nigerian Food Festival, an annual outdoor celebration transforming the large parking lot near VanSuya into a full-blown cultural gathering with music, DJs, and, of course, amazing Nigerian food.

With under 1 km of walkable strip, this neighbourhood delivers authentic, unfiltered energy and rich, diverse culture. It rewards curious travellers and locals with amazing flavours, meaningful shopping, and a strong sense of place rooted in local stories.

    

Art Curator standing in front of decorative whiteboard at Black Arts Museum

Black Arts Centre

Located on the ground floor of Surrey Civic Plaza, the Black Arts Centre is where Black creativity and community come alive through art exhibits, poetry open mics, film screenings, and hands-on workshops, such as their popular intro DJ sessions. This intentional safe space empowers Black voices while welcoming BIPOC communities and allies to discover, connect, and find inspiration. Stop by on your way through Central City, leave feeling inspired.

Black History Month Events 2026

From Horn to Home | Feb 7–28

The Black Arts Centre (BAC) exhibit explores Black experiences across generations and geographies—the joy, the hardship, the connection to homeland, and the journey forward. The opening celebration is on February 7, 2026.

Watch the (BAC) for pop-up events throughout Black History Month.

DIVERSEcity presents Black Brilliance in BC | Feb 06, 4-7 PM
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society presents the fourth annual Black Brilliance in BC at Surrey City Hall, celebrating Black excellence in Surrey and Metro Vancouver. This free event features a DIVERSEtalks panel with local Black leaders, inspirational speakers, the Black Brilliance Awards ceremony, food, music by Afro reggae band Mivule, dance by Soca Xperience Collective, and more by creating a space for connection, celebration, and learning.

Tuning The Future: Black Identity Through Sound | Feb 21, 1-3 PM
Join Justen LeRoy and Della Orrey for a dynamic conversation examining sound as a vessel for memory, healing and radical possibility at the Surrey Art Gallery.

Surrey Public Libraries Black Folk Stories
Feb 5, 1:30 - 3 PM at Guildford Branch
Feb 27, 12:30 - 2 PM at Semiamhoo Branch

Annual Afro & Caribbean Festivals

Surrey knows how to celebrate. Throughout the summer, the city comes alive with festivals that bring the sounds, flavours, and energy of the African and Caribbean diaspora to the streets. From the beats of Amapiano hailing from South Africa to Jamaican reggae, these free events are where the community gathers, culture is celebrated, and everyone's invited to the party.

Mark your calendars for these annual highlights, but check with organizers closer to the dates for confirmed details:

JULY FESTIVALS

AUGUST FESTIVALS