Max SteventonAfrica Oyé, a Liverpool based festival celebrating African music and culture, has revealed its 2026 edition will become a ticketed event for the first time in its history.
Previously, Africa Oyé was a free-to-attend festival, but organisers have emphasised that rising costs have made it increasingly difficult to keep the event free.
The festival’s artistic director Paul Duhaney, who told AAA in 2024 about the challenges of keeping Africa Oyé free, said “a paid event would be a much better alternative to no Oyé at all.”
Cost increases alongside legalisation changes also meant Africa Oyé had a fallow year in 2025.
Founded in 1992, Africa Oyé began as a concert series located around Liverpool City Centre. The festival moved to Sefton Park in 2002 with previous venues including Birkenhead Park and Princes Park.
Taking place on 21-22 June 2026, Africa Oyé tickets wil; lbe made available for local residents priced just £6, with general admission priced at £11. Liverpool City Council has pledged to support the festival in its first year of being a ticketed event. Africa Oyé will remain a registered charity.
“We couldn’t let the festival just disappear off the UK’s cultural calendar”, said Duhaney. “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.”
Arts Council England director North West Jen Cleary said, “We know that Africa Oyé is a popular event within both the North West and the music world, so I’m delighted that it will be returning in 2026. I’m sure that local people and visitors alike are looking forward to the relaunched Africa Oyé next year.”