Africa Oyé 2026 takes place at Sefton Park in Liverpool on June 20 and 21.
Liverpool, United Kingdom (Running Africa) — Africa Oyé, the UK’s largest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, returns to Liverpool’s Sefton Park this weekend with a diverse lineup of artists from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the global diaspora.
Taking place on June 20 and 21, Africa Oyé 2026 will once again transform the city into a hub of African music, culture, food, fashion, and community engagement, drawing thousands of festival-goers from across Britain and beyond.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Patoranking is set to make his highly anticipated Liverpool debut as one of the festival’s headline acts. Joining him is Grammy-nominated Malian singer-songwriter and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara, who returns to the Oyé stage 15 years after making her UK festival debut at the event. British reggae legend Janet Kay, renowned for her classic hit Silly Games, also features among this year’s marquee performers.
The international lineup highlights the breadth of contemporary African and diaspora music, featuring DR Congo’s eco-punk collective Fulu Miziki, Mozambique’s iconic band Ghorwane, Ghanaian traditional music innovator King Ayisoba, Senegalese vocalist Oumy, Togo’s Nana Benz Du Togo, Congolese artist Kizaba, Canada’s Kobo Town, and Senegal’s Awale Jant Band.
Since its inception, Africa Oyé has become one of Europe’s most significant multicultural festivals, showcasing the richness and diversity of African and Caribbean heritage while creating a platform for emerging and established artists from around the world.
This year’s edition also marks a historic shift for the festival. For the first time since moving to Sefton Park, Africa Oyé will operate as a ticketed event. Organizers say the change is necessary to address rising operational costs and enhanced safety requirements while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the festival.
As Africa Oyé enters a new chapter, it continues to serve as a powerful celebration of African and Caribbean culture, bringing communities together through music, storytelling, and shared cultural experiences.
