Africa Day 2026 - Celebrating Cultures
Free Africa Day family celebration in People’s Park with live African music, drumming, dance performances, workshops, children’s sports, face painting, games and community stands. Booking via Eventbrite.
Sunday, 24 May
13:00-16:00
What to expect...
A free Africa Day family celebration in People’s Park with live music, drumming, dance, conversation, sports and children’s activities. The programme includes a three-hour marquee music and dance event, outdoor dance performances, participatory workshops, children’s sports with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership and Netball Ireland, face painting and games. Families can watch performers, listen to musicians and speakers, join movement sessions, and visit community information stands across the park. Expect an outdoor festival-style afternoon with music, rhythm, dancing and cultural exchange.
What’s on: A family day to celebrate African Culture – Music, Dance, Conversation & Sports held in Dún Laoghaire’s famous ‘People’s Park’, 3-hour Marquee music & dance event, outdoor dance performances and workshops, sports & children’s events - free of charge celebrating the diversity of African culture and hosting local and national African musicians, drummers, dancers, speakers and creatives.
Marquee & Outdoor Performers:
Dr John Nutekpor - Percussionist, performing artist & University of Limerick academic born in Ghana will host an interactive traditional African costume performance and will be joined on drums by longtime friend and collaborator, Brian Fleming local percussionist, theatre maker, Co-Director of Dublin’s Big Bang Festival of Rhythm and intercultural artist.
The African Queens - 3-piece South African all-female acapella ensemble formed in Cork with Gloria Nomalanga Zulu, Neo Gilson and Phindile Moloi and their music style is diverse and steeped in traditional South African music, afro-soul, jazz and gospel.
Tari and Batta - husband and wife musical duo, born in Zimbabwe and Lesotho, on vocals and guitar celebrating their African heritage and embracing different cultures.
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown annual Africa Day Panel will be presented & curated by Ola Majekodunmi, broadcaster, writer, creative producer and facilitator and joining Ola will be
Eje Blakk - Nigerian singer, songwriter and rising music star. A captivating blend of Afrobeat, Highlife and Afropop genres best define Eje Blakk’s style and is particularly renowned for his freestyle lyrics spreading good vibes through his music!
Sara Aguisoul - a Moroccan poet and multidisciplinary creative based in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Working across Arabic, French, and English, her poetry explores consciousness, awareness & the depth of lived experience, engaging with emotion and the search for meaning.
Alymat Salam – poetic storyteller, performing under the stage name Aderayo, who curates open-mic and experimental art events rooted in shared communal reflections.
Music Generation dlr – beats and rhythms with Blackrock Youth Group - as part of the national music education programme providing accessible, high quality music education for children & young people.
KoKo Dia Nzombo – Congolese born, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown based dancer & artist will perform his unique collaborative dance show and workshop
Tura Arutura – participatory dance session focused on rhythm, movement, and community dance with multi-disciplinary artist and educator, rooted in Gaeilge and Sean-nós dance, weaving together Irish & Southern African movement traditions that will create a powerful space for cultural exchange, belonging, and community connection.
Jay Osolo – performance & workshop with choreographer and dance teacher Jay, specialising in Hip Hop, Krump, Lockin’ & Afro
People's Park Playground
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At a Glance
What to expect...
A free Africa Day family celebration in People’s Park with live music, drumming, dance, conversation, sports and children’s activities. The programme includes a three-hour marquee music and dance event, outdoor dance performances, participatory workshops, children’s sports with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership and Netball Ireland, face painting and games. Families can watch performers, listen to musicians and speakers, join movement sessions, and visit community information stands across the park. Expect an outdoor festival-style afternoon with music, rhythm, dancing and cultural exchange.
What’s on: A family day to celebrate African Culture – Music, Dance, Conversation & Sports held in Dún Laoghaire’s famous ‘People’s Park’, 3-hour Marquee music & dance event, outdoor dance performances and workshops, sports & children’s events - free of charge celebrating the diversity of African culture and hosting local and national African musicians, drummers, dancers, speakers and creatives.
Marquee & Outdoor Performers:
Dr John Nutekpor - Percussionist, performing artist & University of Limerick academic born in Ghana will host an interactive traditional African costume performance and will be joined on drums by longtime friend and collaborator, Brian Fleming local percussionist, theatre maker, Co-Director of Dublin’s Big Bang Festival of Rhythm and intercultural artist.
The African Queens - 3-piece South African all-female acapella ensemble formed in Cork with Gloria Nomalanga Zulu, Neo Gilson and Phindile Moloi and their music style is diverse and steeped in traditional South African music, afro-soul, jazz and gospel.
Tari and Batta - husband and wife musical duo, born in Zimbabwe and Lesotho, on vocals and guitar celebrating their African heritage and embracing different cultures.
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown annual Africa Day Panel will be presented & curated by Ola Majekodunmi, broadcaster, writer, creative producer and facilitator and joining Ola will be
Eje Blakk - Nigerian singer, songwriter and rising music star. A captivating blend of Afrobeat, Highlife and Afropop genres best define Eje Blakk’s style and is particularly renowned for his freestyle lyrics spreading good vibes through his music!
Sara Aguisoul - a Moroccan poet and multidisciplinary creative based in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Working across Arabic, French, and English, her poetry explores consciousness, awareness & the depth of lived experience, engaging with emotion and the search for meaning.
Alymat Salam – poetic storyteller, performing under the stage name Aderayo, who curates open-mic and experimental art events rooted in shared communal reflections.
Music Generation dlr – beats and rhythms with Blackrock Youth Group - as part of the national music education programme providing accessible, high quality music education for children & young people.
KoKo Dia Nzombo – Congolese born, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown based dancer & artist will perform his unique collaborative dance show and workshop
Tura Arutura – participatory dance session focused on rhythm, movement, and community dance with multi-disciplinary artist and educator, rooted in Gaeilge and Sean-nós dance, weaving together Irish & Southern African movement traditions that will create a powerful space for cultural exchange, belonging, and community connection.
Jay Osolo – performance & workshop with choreographer and dance teacher Jay, specialising in Hip Hop, Krump, Lockin’ & Afro