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Key Highlights
- Real connections grow through shared experiences like dance classes and cook-offs
- Choose vibrant, interactive group events over stiff, awkward socials
- Step out, get involved, and meet your people in real life.
You’ve downloaded every app, smiled through awkward Zoom dates, and even considered replying to that “Hey dear” DM from a suspiciously handsome Instagram account with three photos and a Bitcoin obsession.
But here’s the thing: expanding your circle doesn’t have to feel like you’re auditioning for Big Brother Naija with no sunscreen or game plan.
It’s time to ditch the couch, delete that dating app (temporarily), and try group activities for singles that make meeting new people feel less like speed dating and more like living.
Why Group Activities Work Better Than Dating Apps (And No, It’s Not Just Vibes)
Dating apps have become the digital jungle where everyone’s either ghosting or bragging. The endless scrolling, the awkward conversations, the profiles that lie—exhausting, isn’t it?
Now, imagine this instead: you’re at a jollof cook-off in East London. The air smells like home, music bumps in the background, and across the room, someone catches your eye as you both reach for the same spoon of pepper soup. That’s connection. Not curated. Not forced. Just real.
Group activities give you something swiping never will: shared experience. You’re not just judging a profile—you’re laughing, sweating, maybe even crying (from too much pepper), all in the presence of others doing the same. It’s authentic. It’s layered. And it makes building relationships feel natural, not transactional.
Top Group Activities for Singles
Forget awkward singles mixers with nametags and stale vibes. These are dynamic, culturally rooted experiences designed for Africans in the diaspora.
1. Afrobeat Dance or Park Yoga
Nothing breaks the ice like moving together. Join an Afrobeat or Azonto dance class at spots like DanceXplosion in London or AfroDance Toronto. No rhythm? Beginner sessions are all about fun—think Amapiano playlists and zero judgment.
Or try outdoor yoga with groups like Black Yoga Collective in Brooklyn or AfroZen in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark. You’ll stretch, giggle over shaky poses, and bond with others who vibe with Burna Boy or Sarkodie.
2. Diaspora Cooking Classes
Skip bland cooking workshops. Dive into African culinary experiences like Nigerian egusi soup masterclasses at AfroCook in Atlanta or Ghanaian kelewele contests through Taste of Africa in London.
In Toronto, check AfroVegan Vibes for plant-based spins on fufu and groundnut stew. Led by chefs like Tunde Wey or local aunties, these classes spark nostalgia as you chop, stir, and debate jollof supremacy.
3. Game Nights
Learn someone’s vibe over a heated game of WHOT! or Ludo. Look for Afrocentric game nights hosted by groups like AfroProfessionals UK in London, Black in Berlin, or Naija Connect in Houston.
Venues like Toronto’s A Different Booklist or Amsterdam’s Waterkant pair cards, dominoes, or Uno with afrobeats and cocktails.
Watch for sneaky card cheats or infectious laughs—it’s the perfect way to spot who’s playful or competitive. These relaxed nights, often advertised on Meetup, let you connect without forced chit-chat.
4. Poetry Slams and Open Mics
Tap into your creative side at spoken word nights such as The Africa Centre in London, Brooklyn’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe, or Amsterdam’s Podium Mozaïek.
These events draw expressive Africans who love deep convos and aren’t afraid of emotions. Sip palm wine or chai, vibe to a poet’s ode to Accra, and chat up someone who caught the same metaphor.
5. Volunteer for Community Causes
Build connections through a shared purpose. Join diaspora-led volunteer projects like food drives with AfroFoodBank in Atlanta, cultural festival setup for AfroNation in Lisbon, or literacy programs via Africa Reads in Toronto.
These activities attract kind-hearted, driven singles who value community. Whether you’re sorting donations or painting banners, you’ll spark conversations that go beyond surface-level.
Traps When Looking to Expand Your Circle
Not all group activities are created equal. Some are just… dating events in disguise. Avoid:
- Singles mixers with zero purpose (if all you do is drink and awkwardly talk, it’s just speed dating in a different outfit)
- Events where everyone’s already coupled up (unless you want to be the designated photographer)
- One-time workshops with no follow-up (we need continuity to build real connections)
Choose recurring, meaningful group activities that align with your interests. That way, it’s not just about finding love—it’s about finding your tribe.
How to Find These Group Activities (Even If You’re New in Town)
You don’t need CIA-level sleuthing skills. Just:
- Follow African diaspora groups on Facebook or Meetup (search: “African professionals in [city]”)
- Use Eventbrite or Fever to search keywords like “singles group activities”, “diaspora events“, or “cultural networking”
- Check local community centers, cultural embassies, or university Afro-Caribbean Societies.
- Join WhatsApp groups or Telegram channels for social updates in your city
Final Word: If You Don’t Plant, Nothing Grows
Expanding your social circle doesn’t require a degree in social engineering or charm school. You just need to show up, again and again, where real humans gather—away from screens, with shared interests and open hearts.
Let’s not romanticize loneliness. It’s overrated.
So grab your kitenge, your confidence, and maybe a friend or two, and say yes to the next group activity for singles near you.
Because the circle won’t expand itself.
