LAAF Family Day 2025

Sunday 20 July, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Sefton Park Palm House
FREE - No Booking Required
Book Tickets

MusicDanceFamily

Get ready to experience the return of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival’s closing Family Day spectacular at the iconic Sefton Park Palm House.

Immerse yourself in a FREE afternoon of authentic Arab art, culture and community during this joyful celebration.

Featuring music and performance by leading musicians, our Family Day also brings an array of creative workshops, mouthwatering cuisine and exciting children’s activities.

There will be over 20 stalls featuring authentic crafts, traders and so much more.

LAAF’s annual ‘Family Day‘ celebration is an unmissable highlight in Liverpool’s cultural calendar.

Stay tuned as we unveil the headliners and music lineup leading up to the festival,

Venue:

Sefton Park Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP

LIVE:

The Egyptian Jazz Project with the Harfoush Jazz Band 

London Arab Band 

Farah Fersi 

Al Awadhel Yemeni Band 

Host Amina Atiq

DJ Jaques Malchance

Plus:

Liverpool Arabic Centre – children’s cultural activities 

Children’s Storyteller – Elias Matar 

Calligrapher – Hafifa Ahmed

We’ll have a wide range of stalls and traders this year, including: traditional Arabic clothes and crafts, Halal Ice Cream, Arabic Books, Teas and Spices, Organic Henna, Perfumes, Oils and Soaps, plus a wide range of cuisine from across the Arab diaspora.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al Awahdal Band

We are excited to welcome back the Al Awahdal Band – performing traditional and contemporary songs transporting you to Yemen and beyond. 

Yaser Awdhali is a Yemeni artist and composer from Aden, Yemen. He began his artistic career in childhood, learning to play the oud at a young age, influenced by his father, the great artist Ahmed Omar Awdhali who had a long and well-known career in the Gulf states.

Artist Yaser participated in school activities and wedding events across Yemen and continued his artistic career until he moved to the United Kingdom in 2000. Artist Yasser founded a band called Al-Awhadel Band and participated in numerous concerts and festivals across Britain and numerous European countries, the Gulf, and the United States. Artist Yasser Awadhli has proven himself and earned the title of Artist of the Diaspora. He also has many of his own songs, all of which are composed by himself.

http://www.youtube.com/@YASERAWDHALI

https://www.tiktok.com/@y.audhali?_t=ZN-8xZCfHAenO2&_r=1

A headshot of Harfoush

The Egyptian Jazz Project with Harfoush Jazz Band 

Ahmed Harfoush is a London Based Egyptian jazz vocalist and founder of the Egyptian Jazz Projekt, a jazz revival of 1950s Egyptian iconic pop songs. The band has performed at Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, the Giza Pyramids, Dubai Opera, the Egyptian Art Academy in Rome, the London Jazz Festival and Egyptian embassies in London, Berlin, Vienna and Melbourne.

Ahmed Harfoush, vocals
Dan Hewson, keyboards
Ian Marcus, double bass
Dom Hall, drums
Frank Griffith, clarinet 

London Arab Band 

Info coming soon!

Farah Fersi 

https://www.instagram.com/farahfersi/

Farah Fersi is a musician, composer, and virtuoso of the kanun, a central instrument in the Arab musical tradition. Known for her distinctive ten-finger technique, she brings a contemporary and deeply personal approach to the instrument, exploring its full expressive potential.

Her musical universe weaves together Arab classical heritage, jazz, Sufi poetry, and global influences. Through this refined fusion, she bridges tradition and innovation, giving the kanun a renewed, emotive, and modern voice.

She has performed as a soloist on prestigious stages across the Middle East and Europe, including the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Tunisia (Carthage), Germany, Qatar, Spain, France, and other countries. She also performed alongside Jordi Savall as part of his festival and participated in the “Yemeni Symphony,” presented in Paris, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

Farah is currently developing original works that blend music with other art forms, including her latest project, Dha7ka – Sourire, which will soon be presented in the Middle East and Egypt. She is also preparing for her upcoming tour in the region, which promises to be a significant milestone in her artistic journey, opening new paths for collaboration, dialogue, and cultural exchange. With artistic integrity and a bold vision, Farah Fersi continues to expand the boundaries of the kanun, offering a universal, sincere, and deeply human musical experience.

Elias Matar – Storyteller 

Join Palestinian storyteller Elias Matar for a storytelling session that brings the rich tapestry of Levantine and Palestinian folk tales to life. Tailored for curious minds and open hearts of all ages, this immersive experience invites both children and adults to become part of the story. Through interactive moments and playful retelling, Elias transforms old tales into living adventures where listeners don’t just hear the story—they become the storytellers. From clever water spirits to mischievous talking farts, these timeless tales from across Arab cultures spark imagination, laughter, and a deep connection to shared heritage. 

Come ready to listen, share, and celebrate the magic of storytelling.

Elias Matar is a Palestinian storyteller, director, performer, and  drama therapist. He creates engaging, thoughtful, and relatable performances that invite audiences into a shared, heart-to-heart experience.

Elias has brought his stories to life at numerous theatres, festivals, and events including the Treemoot Festival, Shubbak Festival, Arab Christmas, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, and Palestine on the Pier. 

Deeply inspired by his Arab heritage, Elias storytelling adapts myths and folk tales from Palestine and the wider Middle East into dynamic narratives for transformation and reflection resonating with contemporary audiences while preserving their authenticity, mystery, and magic.

  • 12:45 – 13:15 – Session 1 (All ages)
    Families go to lunch afterwards

 

  • 14:00 – 14:30 – Session 2 (Best for little ones)
  • 14:40 – 15:10 – Session 3 (Best for older kids)
  • 15:40 – 16:00 – Session 4 (All ages)

 

Hafifa Ahmed – Calligrapher

Children and young people’s calligraphy workshops, delivered by artist Hafifa Ahmed.

hafifaahmed.com

Liverpool Arabic Centre

Our valued partners will be offering a range of children’s cultural arts and crafts activities, a favourite with our audiences. 

Book Tickets