The festival, founded in 1989 by the Würzburg Afro Project, grew in the following years to a considerable size. Today it is considered the largest music and culture festival of its kind in Europe with over 120,000 guests. Probably the busiest day is Sunday, where up to 40,000 visitors frolic on the festival grounds.

The Africa Festival Würzburg offers diverse attractions, but the focus of the festival is music. During the day music performances of traditional and contemporary styles take place on different stages. The musical highlights of the festival include the evening performances of internationally renowned African artists, which take place in a circus tent erected for this purpose on the festival grounds.

Not only the music, but also the supporting program attracts many visitors and gives an impression of the lifestyle on the "black continent". Numerous stalls and tents make up a lively, colourful bazaar with an African character.