Africa Oye

For two days every June, Sefton Park becomes the epicentre of African music and culture in the UK. Africa Oye is a long-running event born in Liverpool back in 1992, and held at Sefton Park since 2002.

Formerly a free event, the festival ended up being cancelled in 2025 due to the increasing costs of staging a celebration of this size. It’s back for 2026 as a ticketed event with Liverpool City Region residents able to buy early bird tickets for just £11, and under-12s given free entry with a paying adult.

If you’re coming from outside the city region, or are buying nearer to the date of the festival, a weekend pass is priced at £37 and day tickets are priced at £19 with discounts for groups and students. The organisers stress that Africa Oye is still a not-for-profit event.

Africa Oye 2026

20-21 June 2026

Expect a vibrant, feel-good weekend full of music, dance, food, and culture from Africa and African diasporas around the world. With a live music stage, a DJ stage, workshops, a family zone, a funfair, market and food stalls, there’s a lot to explore and enjoy.

In 2026, headline acts include Grammy nominated Fatoumata Diawara, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Patoranking, and Afro-Congolese electro musician Kizaba. Also on the lineup are Janet Kay, King Ayisoba, Nana Benz Du Togo, Fulu Miziki, Ghorwane, Oumy, The Awale Jant Band, Kobo Town, DJ Edu, Seani B and more. Add to that drumming workshops, storytelling, and arts and crafts, and you’ve got a family-friendly weekend with something for all ages.