Africa Oyé returns to Sefton Park in 2026 as a ticketed event

Africa Oyé will return to Sefton Park next year – but for the first time it will be as a ticketed event.

Organisers say rising costs mean it has been increasingly difficult to keep running the annual festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, for free.

The 2025 event was put on hold while they looked at ways to continue to run the Oyé while making it as affordable as possible for festivalgoers.

The 2026 Oyé will be held in the park on the weekend of June 20-21.

Early bird tickets are available now costing from £6 for local residents and £11 for general admission. Children aged 12 go free when accompanied by a paying adult, and there is a discount when buying for groups of four people.

The festival began in 1992 as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre put together by Africa Oyé's founder, Kenny Murray. Over the last 33 years it has been held at venues including Birkenhead Park, Princes Park, and Concert Square, moving to its current home in Sefton Park in 2002.

Previous headliners of the festival have included some of the biggest names in global music with Julian Marley, Oumou Sangaré, Akala, Fuse ODG, Tinariwen, Max Romeo, Baaba Maal, Horace Andy and many more all gracing the Oyé stage.

Oyé artistic director Paul Duhaney says: "We couldn't let the festival just disappear off the UK's cultural calendar.

"The board, myself, and the team all agreed that a paid event would be a much better alternative to no Oyé at all, and I hope our loyal audience agree with the decision and keep showing us the support they always have.

“The change will enable us to maintain and build on the quality of the event that people have come to expect and ensure that those attending can do so in safe and relaxed environment."

He adds: “We're still a registered charity and we've kept the ticket prices as affordable as we possibly can. The Earlybird prices are limited though so grab them while you can and get the dates in your diary."

Africa Oyé takes place at Sefton Park on June 20-21, 2026. Tickets HERE