Due to its rich cultural heritage, Nigeria hosts several traditional and cultural festivals and events monthly, yearly, biannually, and seasonally that showcase and promote Nigerian art, culture, people, and identity. These events help remind Nigerians of the importance of preserving their cultural heritage, legacy, history, and identity. Because of these events, many people from across the world troop to Nigeria yearly to have a better understanding of the people and culture of Nigeria. Attending any of these events is an experience that cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

Thanks to technology (TV, Radio, Internet, Social Media, etc.), it is now possible today to attend these events in Nigeria virtually. However, being physically present and engaging with an event is by far more relishing and refreshing than sitting behind a screen to watch it relayed on a screen. The best way to enjoy these events is by being present in person.

Then comes the question, can one attend an event without knowing where and when it holds? In other words, to attend the best events in Nigeria, one needs to know where these events hold, the organizers of these events, how to attend, and what to gain from these events. This guide has the correct answers to these questions. It examines the 10 top ten events in Nigeria to attend, where they are hosted, and other essential details worth noting.

10. The Eyo Festival

The Eyo festival is held in Lagos, Nigeria, by the locals who are also known as Isale Eko. This festival is one of the most well-known celebrations and popular events in Nigeria. It is often observed on unspecified dates in the first half of the year, and includes a colorful traditional masquerade exhibition as well as diverse local dance performances native to Lagos State.

The masquerades would take off from either the Iga, the palace of the Oba, or one of his cabinet chiefs and proceed to other parts of the town to the admiration of the people. This festival is a popular tourist event in the city of Lagos because of its colorful style and extensive exhibition of Yoruba culture and history. The Eyo festival is one of the chief events in Nigeria to look out for.

9. The Calabar Carnival

The Calabar carnival, which is rightfully referred to as the largest street party in Africa is also one of the most eagerly awaited events in Nigeria. It is one of the many tourist attractions in Cross River state that gives the state national and international recognition as a top tourism destination in Nigeria.

The state-wide celebration typically takes place in December and showcases the rich culture and traditions of Calabar and Nigeria to the world. It is budded with rich traditional and cultural performances including various masquerade performances, ethnic dances, traditions enchantments, and regional specialties all of which make this carnival a unique event in Nigeria.

8. Felabration

Pioneered by Nigeria’s legendary musical icon, Fela Kuti, Felabration is a celebration of African and Nigerian rich cultural heritage. It thrills the audience with top and life-touching African and Nigerian music, particularly in the Afrobeat genre. Felabration is undoubtedly one of the largest events in Nigeria, attracting more than 1 million viewers from across the globe and drawing in over 30,000 people who attend the event at the New Afrika Shrine.

Related: Time Zone in Nigeria and Other Facts About Nigeria

7. The New Yam Festival

The new yam festival is a very popular and highly respected event in Nigeria that promotes togetherness among the Nigerian people who celebrate it. The festival is celebrated mainly by people in Nigeria’s southern region and Nigeria’s eastern region as well as the Idoma people of Nigeria in the north-central region. During this event, many tribes come together to take part in yam activities thus fostering the togetherness of the people. It is a highly respected festival, especially among the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria.

The event takes place mostly in August, and features ritual performances to thank the deities of the several tribes that participate in it, for a successful agricultural year and to usher in a new farming season. The event also includes ethnic dances, masquerades, and a variety of foods made with yam from the just concluded harvest season.

6. The Argungu Fishing Event 

The Argungu fishing festival, which is held between February and March in the North-Western Kebbi state, is a joyous fiesta where fishermen from across the state compete to capture the largest fish.

Traditional net is the main fishing tool used for the fishing tournament, no chemicals, foreign tools, or exotic (i.e. non-native) fishing techniques are allowed in the competition. The festival’s playful atmosphere and the different religious ceremonies performed by the Kebbi people provide this great event with color and glamour.

5. Ofala Festival

The Ofala festival is one of the oldest festivals among the Igbo people. It is celebrated to honor the authority and wisdom of the traditional ruler in the land to rule and guide the people. The term Ofo, which means authority, and Ala, which means land, are the origin of the name Ofala festival. The celebration includes several traditional, cultural, and religious activities including the traditional ruler awarding chieftaincy titles to eligible people. It is often observed in October every year.

4. National Arts Festival (NAFEST)

The National Festival of Arts is a festival that showcases artwork from all around Nigeria to promote Nigerian art and culture and use it to create peace, unity, and national progress in Nigeria. The various colorful and outstanding exhibitions that make this festival exciting include music, dance, theatre, poetry, sculptures, paintings, and more. It takes place in a few chosen states around Nigeria.

3. Lagos Carnival

The Lagos carnival is one of the most well-known and eagerly awaited festivals/carnivals in Nigeria, and indeed, across all of Africa. The event usually takes place during the Black History Festival to recognize, celebrate, and promote the rich cultural heritage of diverse civilizations from Nigeria down to Liberia and even Brazil.

The Lagos carnival is over a century old and is often hosted on Lagos Island. It began as a celebration by slave returnees from different cultures in Brazil, Cuba, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It is one of the oldest cultural events in Nigeria.

The Lagos carnival was created as a result of the convergence of many cultures in Lagos both local and foreign. Today, the carnival showcases a variety of awesome displays of tradition and culture from the many nationalities it represents. It usually holds in May.

2. Festival of Theater in Lagos

This is one of the events in Nigeria with a very large number of artists and group participation. Over 600 local and foreign artists from Nigeria, Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States perform at different locations across Lagos during the Lagos Theatre Festival. It is a week-long cultural event and features dance, music, and all-around entertainment.

1. The Durbar Festival

One of the most interesting events in northern Nigeria is the Durbar Festival, also known as Hawan Sallah or Hawan Daushe. The event, which is often held after Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivities, begins with prayers and is followed by a vibrant musical procession of the Emir and his horses.

One of the high points of the event is a regal procession of tens of thousands of men riding horses and wearing different colorful costumes. The event continues after the procession at the Emir’s palace with many contests and vibrant displays. Also, African and especially northern music sets the tone for the event and thrills the participants to the rich musical heritage of Northern Nigeria. 

Tourism without adequate fun is incomplete. But then, in having fun, where one goes is as important as what one sees. Nigeria is a great country with numerous events taking place across the country. Plan to attend any of these events. It is usually worth the effort.

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