The UK’s largest free celebration festival of African & Carribbean arts & music returns to Sefton Park this weekend.
Sefton Park will once again transform into a vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture this June 22nd and 23rd for the annual Africa Oyé festival. Headlining the main stage will be Julian Marley, Grammy-award winning son of reggae legend Bob Marley, along with the powerful female collective Les Amazones d’Afrique.
A diverse lineup of artists from around the world will also grace the stage, including Senegalese electronic duo Def MaMa Def, Tanzanian folk-fusion group The Zawose Queens, eco-friendly punks Fulu Miziki, Ghanaian frafra gospel star Florence Adooni, Afro-Canadian hip hop outfit Super Duty Tough Work, Congolese rumba royalty Nyboma, Haitian multilingual poet and MC Vox Sambou, and West African griot Batch Gueye.
Local talent will also be showcased, with Liverpool‘s own Yilly Ruel and Fraya Ofoeme opening the festivities alongside performances from MD Productions and Liverpool Hip Hop Festival.
Beyond the music, the festival offers a wide range of activities, including dance workshops curated by Movema, capoeira, yoga, and traditional drumming circles. The Oyé Active Zone (OAZ) will be a hub for family-friendly fun, with activities for all ages and abilities. Katumba Drumming and Movement will also lead a parade across the park on Sunday.
DJs Seani B and Edu will be spinning tunes on the Trenchtown and Freetown stages, alongside a host of other DJs and collectives.
The Oyé Village will offer a diverse array of food, crafts, and cultural experiences. The festival is committed to accessibility, with BSL interpretation, an accessible viewing platform, and a dedicated Access Tent.
The festival also features free workshops throughout the weekend, including BSL classes, football freestyle with Mr Silky Skills, bath bomb making with Lush, arts meeting science with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and an outdoor exhibition highlighting the Windrush Generation‘s impact on British music.
With its eclectic mix of music, dance, food, workshops, and cultural experiences, Africa Oyé promises a memorable weekend celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Africa and the Caribbean.
Africa Oyé is free entry all weekend, with Sefton Park open from 12:30pm to 9:30pm for both days.
You can find out more details, and the full line-up here.
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