Liverpool Africa Oyé postponed due to soaring costs

Liverpool’s Africa Oyé festival will not take place in Sefton Park this summer it has been announced.

Organisers say rising costs of up to 30 percent associated with staging the hugely popular free annual weekend event mean they have taken the decision to have what they call a ‘fallow year’ before returning in 2026.

A series of fundraising concerts to help support the festival’s return will take place at venues across the Liverpool City Region in 2025, with the first shows to be announced soon.

Artistic director Paul Duhaney said today: “We understand there will of course be disappointment with this announcement. Our relationships with the Oyé family, festival staff, traders and service suppliers are very important to us and we did not take this decision lightly.

“With increased infrastructure and compliance costs, it is simply a case that without major investment to cover the costs of delivering a festival of this size safely, it would be irresponsible to go ahead with the event in 2025.

“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, allow us time to negotiate with major partners, sponsors, and funders, and work towards a safe and successful return to Sefton Park.”

The move has been supported by festival funders including the Arts Council and Liverpool City Council.