Africa Oye kicked off on Saturday following a year off(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Africa Oyé Liverpool: 26 photos of people having the time of their life as huge event returns

by · Liverpool Echo

Africa Oye is back at Liverpool's Sefton Park

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Africa Oyé has returned to Liverpool for the UK's largest celebration of African music and culture. The event is taking place today (June 20) and June 21, bringing music from nations across Africa and the Caribbean, dance performances, a dedicated family zone, and over 90 stalls featuring food, drink and more.

The event began as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre in 1992, growing into a huge event held at Sefton Park from 2002. The ECHO was at the event where hundreds of attendees were spotted soaking up the atmosphere. Attendees are set for an incredible afternoon of entertainment, with performances from Kizaba, Patoranking, and DJ Edu.

Speaking ahead of the event, artistic director of Africa Oye, Paul Duhaney, told the ECHO: "I think a festival like Oyé is good for everybody. It reminds us who we are as a nation and there's a lot of good things about this country that need to be celebrated. The festival is an African music festival, but everybody's welcome.

"That's the way we've always been. We've never had any political or religious beliefs. For that weekend, everybody comes as one and it's all about enjoying the music and everything that's on offer."

Take a look at some of our favourite pictures from the first day of Africa Oyé 2026 below.

  1. Africa Oyé 2026 in Sefton Park pictured mum Natalia with daughter Imogene
    1 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. Africa Oyé returned after a hiatus in 2025
    2 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. Africa Oyé has returned to Liverpool for the UK's largest celebration of African music and culture
    3 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. The event is taking place today (June 20) and June 21
    4 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. The event brings music from nations across Africa and the Caribbean
    5 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  6. The two-day festival includes dance performances, a dedicated family zone, and over 90 stalls featuring food, drink and more
    6 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. The event began as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre in 1992
    7 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. The festival was so successful it grew into a huge event held at Sefton Park from 2002
    8 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. The ECHO was at the event where hundreds of attendees were spotted soaking up the atmosphere
    9 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Attendees are set for an incredible afternoon of entertainment, with performances from Kizaba, Patoranking, and DJ Edu
    10 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. Speaking ahead of the event, artistic director of Africa Oye, Paul Duhaney, told the ECHO: "I think a festival like Oyé is good for everybody"
    11 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. Paul Duhaney continued: "It reminds us who we are as a nation and there's a lot of good things about this country that need to be celebrated. The festival is an African music festival, but everybody's welcome"
    12 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. Paul said: "That's the way we've always been. We've never had any political or religious beliefs"
    13 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. He concluded: "For that weekend, everybody comes as one and it's all about enjoying the music and everything that's on offer"
    14 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Thousands descended on the park for the two-day festival
    15 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. There were plenty of smiles as people enjoyed the warm weather
    16 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. People have been waiting two years for the festival's return
    17 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. Those going on Sunday can expect warmer temperatures and more sunshine
    18 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. Groups of people came together to enjoy the array of performances and food on offer
    19 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Batala Mersey took to the stage on Saturday afternoon
    20 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. Africa Oye is back to being one of the mainstays of the Liverpool calendar
    21 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  1. Africa Oye has long been an event thousands across the city look forward to
    22 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  2. Even Chewbacca appeared in Sefton Park
    23 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  3. Families filled the park for the festival
    24 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  4. Africa Oye 2026 well under way today
    25 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
  5. It appeared to be a day to remember for many
    26 of 26(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)