Cork City Council launches Africa Day 2026

Cork City Council has launched the programme for Africa Day 2026, a week-long celebration honouring the cultures, heritage, and contributions of Cork’s African communities.

Africa Day has been celebrated on Leeside for several years, and Cork City Council has promised that this year's festival will be better than ever before.

Billed as "a wonderful opportunity to showcase African culture, talent, creativity, and community spirit", the festival will run from Monday, May 18, to Saturday, May 23. 

The week will include a range events, including an official launch, an Africa Day seminar, a youth concert, an Afro music night, and a unity cup five-a-side football tournament, with further events to be announced closer to the date.

The highlight of the week will be the Africa Day family fun day in Fitzgerald Park on the Saturday, Cork City Council said, bringing together families, performers, community groups, food vendors, and artists for a day full of music, dance, children’s activities, cultural stalls, sports, crafts, and entertainment.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, said Africa Day 2026 would give the entire city an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of Cork’s African communities.

“It will be a full week of celebration and learning, with events for everyone to take part in,” Mr Dennehy said.

“Cork always creates a fantastic atmosphere for Africa Day, and this year will be no different.” 

The city council and the Cork Africa Day committee have issued an open call for artists, musicians, dancers, cultural performers, community groups, workshop facilitators, youth groups, and food vendors who would like to be part of the festival.

Anyone with an interest in contributing to the celebrations, be that on stage, through a cultural demonstration, with a workshop, or with a stall, is invited to contact community@corkcity.ie.