Africa Oyé Festival 2025 Cancelled

Africa Oyé is a UK festival that is held annually in Liverpool to celebrate African culture and music.

This festival started in the center city as a series of small gigs in 1992 and has grown from strength to strength. To meet demand, it relocated to its current location in Sefton Park in 2002.

The Oyé festival aims to restore balance and showcase the amazing diversity of cultures, cuisines, music, and artists that make this magnificent continent one of the most dynamic and inspirational places on earth.

Why The Festival Won’t be Held This Year

The announcement that the Africa Oyé festival will not be conducted this year surfaces after a record-breaking attendance in 2024.

The organizers of the festival have said that there won’t be a summer festival this year but promise to be back in 2026.

The reason for the skip in this annual event, according to the officials, is the rising costs of up to 30% due to the popularity the festival gained last year.

Paul Duhaney, the artistic director, emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly. He stated that it would be a reckless action to proceed with the event this year without major investors to cover the costs of carrying out a safe festival.

In his words, “I can reassure everyone that the festival will be back in 2026. The break will allow us to raise money through a series of fundraising concerts.”

Funders Sentiments

Arts Council England, one of the festival’s primary funders, supports the decision, as Jen Cleary, Director, North and Combined Art, Arts Council England, said, “Africa Oyé’s celebrations of African music and culture are well-loved across both the North West and the national music scene, and it was great to see record attendances at its 2024 festival.

She said that given the challenges, the decision to take a fallow year is understandable, and is pleased to support the team in strengthening the future of the festival.

Another funder of the event, the Liverpool Council Unit, also renders its support as Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing, and Culture, says, “It is right that Paul and the team have the time to reset.”

He added that the team had their full unwavering support and would work with them and Arts Council England closely over the next year to ensure they can deliver Africa Oyé in the way they want, with great artistic ambition but also the capacity to look after the growing numbers of festival-goers.

The dates for the festival in 2026 have already been confirmed to be June 20 and 21, 2026.