The UK's largest celebration of African music and culture, Africa Oye, is set to return this weekend. The festival began as a series of gigs in Liverpool city centre in 1992 and has grown into a major event held at Sefton Park. This year, Africa Oye takes place on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21.
The festival has hosted artists from across Africa and also features music from South America and the Caribbean, including Salsa, Reggae, and more. Over 90 stalls will offer food, drink, arts, and crafts in the Oye village.
Africa Oye 2026 Tickets
Tickets are still available for Africa Oye 2026. Children under 12 get free entry, and discounted group tickets are available for purchases of four or more tickets in a single transaction. All attendees under 16 must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. For more details, visit the Africa Oye website.
Africa Oye 2026 Banned Items
According to the Africa Oye Instagram page, visitors may bring small picnics, water, soft drinks, small bags (no larger than A4 size), umbrellas, camping chairs, and blankets. Prohibited items include dogs (except assistance and working dogs), glass, alcohol, BBQs, tents (except small pop-up gazebos for shade), and any illegal items.
How to Get to Africa Oye 2026
By Rail
The nearest train station to Sefton Park is St Michaels station on Merseyrail's Hunts Cross line. Take the Northern Line towards Hunts Cross and alight at St Michaels. Walk down Belgrave Road to Aigburth Road, cross onto Lark Lane, and walk its full length to reach Sefton Park. The walk is about one mile. Check the Merseyrail website for pricing and times.
By Bus
Several bus services serve Sefton Park, including Arriva and Stagecoach. Service 75 from Liverpool ONE Bus Station or Great Charlotte Street to Halewood runs every 15 minutes on Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday. Services 80 and 80A from Liverpool ONE Bus Station or Great Charlotte Street to Speke and Liverpool Airport run combined every 20 minutes on Saturday, with the 80A every 20 minutes on Sunday. Other services include 26/27 (Sheil Road Circular), 60 (Aigburth Vale – Bootle), 76 (Liverpool ONE – Halewood), 82 (Liverpool ONE – Speke), 82A (Liverpool ONE – Murdishaw via LJLA), and 500 (Liverpool ONE – Liverpool Airport Express).
By Car
The festival advises against travelling by car due to limited options. If driving, set your SatNav to L17 3AD to reach the Review Field. At Sefton Park, turn onto Croxteth Drive to arrive at the Oye site and a drop-off point.
Africa Oye 2026 Road Closures
On June 20 and 21, entry to Aigburth Drive and Croxteth Drive will be closed to general traffic, except for residents and staff. These closures are authorised under a Special Event Temporary Traffic Regulation Order by Liverpool City Council Highways Department. A section of Croxteth Gate car park, used as the main production entrance, will be restricted from Monday, June 15 at 7am to Wednesday, June 24 at 8pm. The Review Field will be closed to public access from Wednesday, June 17 at 7am until Tuesday, June 23 at 8pm. For more information, visit the Africa Oye website.
