Africa Oyé has announced big changes for its 2026 festival as organisers prepare for a new era for the Sefton Park event.

The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture will return next summer, following a fallow year in 2025 due to rising infrastructure costs, changing legislation, and the increasingly difficult challenge of keeping the event free.

The festival will return as a ticketed event in 2026, with organisers committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience.

Paul Duhaney, artistic director Africa Oyé, 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.”

The festival began back in 1992 as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre put together by Africa Oyé’s founder, Kenny Murray. It’s growth over the last 33 years has seen it taken in multiple venues including Birkenhead Park, Princes Park, and Concert Square; it has taken place in Sefton Park since 2002.

Next year’s celebration – taking place on 20 and 21 June 2026 – will be the first ticketed Oyé in Sefton Park in the festival’s history, as ever delivering an eclectic mix of international live acts, emerging talent, community performances, family friendly workshops, DJs, world cuisine, arts & crafts and much more.

Earlybird prices see local resident tickets start at just £6 with general admission beginning at £11. Children under 12 receive free entry to the event (with a paying adult) and there is a discount when buying for groups of four people.

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