Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Oyo Empire Day, participation, attendance, and the festival experience.

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1. What is Oyo Empire Day?

Oyo Empire Day is an annual cultural celebration designed to preserve, celebrate, and project the history, legacy, and enduring influence of the Oyo Empire through heritage experiences, cultural showcases, intellectual engagement, tourism, and community participation.

2. When will Oyo Empire Day take place?

The maiden edition of Oyo Empire Day is scheduled to hold from 17th – 19th December 2026.

3. Where will the event take place?

The event is proposed to hold at Oyo Stadium and selected heritage sites within Oyo and surrounding cultural locations.

4. Is Oyo Empire Day open to the public?

Yes. Oyo Empire Day is designed as a public cultural experience welcoming:

Families

Tourists

Scholars

Creatives

Youth groups

Diaspora visitors

Cultural enthusiasts

Some sessions or VIP experiences may require prior registration or invitation.

5. Is there a registration fee to attend?

Attendance categories, registration details, and ticketing information will be announced through official festival channels.

Some activities may be freely accessible, while selected experiences may require passes or accreditation.

6. What should visitors expect at the festival?

Visitors can expect:

Royal processions
Cultural performances
Historical exhibitions
Heritage markets
Food and hospitality experiences
Colloquiums and intellectual sessions
Documentary screenings
Tourism experiences
Youth and innovation showcases

7. Will there be performances and cultural displays?

Yes. The festival will feature a wide range of traditional and contemporary cultural experiences including:

Talking drums
Bata performances
Oral poetry and oríkì
Egúngún displays
Traditional dance showcases
Music and theatrical performances

8. Will there be activities for young people?

Absolutely.

Youth engagement is a core pillar of Oyo Empire Day and includes:

Creative competitions
Digital storytelling initiatives
Youth ambassador programmes
Talent showcases
Innovation and enterprise opportunities

9. Can businesses, artisans, or vendors participate?

Yes. Oyo Empire Day includes curated participation opportunities through:

Imperial Heritage Market
Pavilions of Culture
Royal Flavours Court
House of Living Heritage
Brand Experience Spaces

10. Is participation open to everyone?

Participation is curated to maintain the quality, cultural authenticity, and presentation standards of the festival.

Applications will be reviewed based on relevance, quality, professionalism, and alignment with the festival’s values.

11. Can diaspora participants apply?

Yes. Oyo Empire Day welcomes participation from Yoruba communities and affiliated cultural groups across the diaspora.

12. Can one applicant apply in multiple categories?

Yes. Applicants may express interest in more than one category where relevant to their offerings or activations.

13. How can I apply to participate?

Interested participants will be able to submit an Expression of Interest through the Participate page on the website.

Applicants may be asked to provide:

Brand or organization details
Portfolio materials
Product/service descriptions
Space and technical requirements
Contact information

14. Will there be academic or intellectual sessions?

Yes. Oyo Empire Day includes a dedicated intellectual engagement component featuring:

Colloquiums
Academic paper presentations
Panel discussions
Historical conversations
Book launches

15. Can scholars or researchers participate?

Yes. Scholars, researchers, historians, and cultural institutions are encouraged to engage through presentations, collaborations, publications, and intellectual programming.

16. Will there be accommodation support for visitors?

The festival plans to work with hospitality and tourism partners to support accommodation and visitor experience arrangements.

Further details will be communicated ahead of the event.

17. Will heritage tours be part of the event?

Yes. The programme includes guided visits to key historical and cultural heritage sites connected to the Oyo Empire.

18. How can organizations partner with Oyo Empire Day?

Organizations can partner through:

Sponsorship

Cultural collaboration

Institutional partnerships

Media support

Tourism and hospitality collaboration

Youth and educational initiatives

Please visit the Contact or Participate page for partnership inquiries.

19. Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Yes. Oyo Empire Day offers multiple sponsorship and partnership categories designed for brands, institutions, and development partners seeking meaningful cultural engagement.

20. How can I stay updated?

You can stay informed by:

Following official social media platforms
Subscribing to festival updates
Visiting the website regularly for announcements and programme updates