Every December, Lagos turns into one of the busiest party cities in the world. Nigerians at home, returnees from London, Houston and Toronto, and a growing number of foreign visitors pack concerts, beach parties, weddings and festivals in what everyone now calls Detty December. In 2025, a report by MO Africa estimated that the season generated about N396.5 billion in consumer spending in Lagos alone.
This guide brings together what has been announced for Detty December 2026 so far: the event calendar, ticket prices, what a trip costs, and how to stay safe. We will update it as more line-ups and prices are released. For festivals across the rest of the year, see our guide to must-see festivals in Nigeria.
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Dates, line-ups and prices change often; always confirm with the organiser before you pay.
The short answer
- 17 to 19 December: Davido’s three-night Oriadé: The Residency at the National Theatre, Iganmu. Nearly sold out by mid-October.
- 18 to 30 December: Detty December Fest at the Detty December Village, Lagos, opened by Wizkid on 18 December. Opening-night tickets from N50,000.
- 22 to 24 December: Flytime Fest at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, with headliners still to be announced.
- 26 to 30 December: Carnival Calabar in Cross River State, with the parade of the bands on 28 December.
- Budget: a week-long trip from abroad typically costs about $2,000 to $3,000 if you plan it yourself, according to one travel guide.
Detty December 2026 event calendar
Davido: Oriadé, The Residency (17 to 19 December)
Davido is marking 15 years in music with a three-night residency at the newly refurbished National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, from 17 to 19 December. The shows are the first live Nigerian performances of his sixth album, Oriadé, with older hits and guest appearances from collaborators. By 16 October, fewer than 350 tickets were reported to remain across the three nights, despite calls on social media for a boycott after his uncle, Osun governor Ademola Adeleke, backed President Tinubu’s re-election. Legit.ng reported that a full sell-out would make him the first Nigerian artist to sell out a multi-night residency.
Detty December Fest (18 to 30 December)
The Detty December Fest, organised by Lagos events company Livespot360, returns for its second full edition at the Detty December Village in Lagos. It runs for 13 festival days across two stages, the Detty Festival Stage and the Detty Pulse Stage, with more than 300 performers promised. Wizkid headlines the opening night on Friday, 18 December, from 6pm. Other announced acts include the Detty Drummers (19 December), the Aerial Ballerinas (24 December) and the Lagos Strings orchestra (25 December), with more names due through November. The exact address of the village had not been published at the time of writing.
Flytime Fest (22 to 24 December)
Flytime Fest, one of Lagos’s longest-running December concert series, is back at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, from 22 to 24 December. Headliners had not been announced by mid-October, and the organiser says tickets are sold only through cene.xyz. Beware of posts listing Davido, Asake, Olamide and Flavour as the 2026 line-up: that was the 2025 edition. Flytime’s sister show, Rhythm Unplugged, had not been dated for 2026.
Carnival Calabar (26 to 30 December)
If you want to leave Lagos, the Carnival Calabar in Cross River State is the biggest street festival in the country. The 2026 edition, the 21st, is themed “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny” and runs as a month-long fiesta, ending with:
- 26 December: cultural carnival and the Night of Kings and Queens
- 27 December: junior carnival
- 28 December: parade of the bands, the main event
- 29 December: bikers’ carnival
- 30 December: street party and colour runs
Beach, rooftop and day parties
Not everything needs a ticket. Through December, beach clubs, rooftop bars and day parties across Victoria Island and Lekki host DJs and pop-up events, many of them free or pay-at-the-door. Lagos State has also partnered with organisers in past years: in 2025 it announced 100,000 free tickets to events at Giwa Gardens to boost tourism. Watch the Lagos State tourism ministry’s channels for any 2026 scheme.
Still to be announced
At the time of writing, no 2026 dates had been confirmed for Wizkid’s Futurefest, Rhythm Unplugged, the Motherland Festival or headline shows by Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel and BNXN. Many December events are announced in November, so check organisers’ official pages before booking travel around a specific show.
Ticket prices
| Event | Ticket | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Detty December Fest, opening night (Wizkid, 18 Dec) | General access | N50,000 (about $38) |
| Detty December Fest, opening night | Golden circle | N150,000 (about $113) |
| Detty December Fest, opening night | VIP standing | N300,000 (about $226) |
| Detty December Fest, opening night | Tables | On request |
| Detty December Fest, day and season passes | All tiers | Not yet published |
| Davido residency (17-19 Dec) | All tiers | Prices not widely published; nearly sold out |
| Flytime Fest (22-24 Dec) | All tiers | Not yet published; sold on cene.xyz |
| Carnival Calabar parades | Street viewing | Free; stands and hospitality packages vary |
Detty December Fest tickets are sold through DOT TIX. Prices usually rise as events approach, so early-bird tickets are often the cheapest way in.
What a Detty December trip costs
For visitors from abroad, The Rio Times estimated that an independently planned week costs about $2,000 to $3,000, covering flights, accommodation, events and transport, while all-inclusive packages from tour operators start at around $3,950. The main pressures on your budget are:
- Flights: fares from London and the US climb from November. Book as early as you can.
- Accommodation: the best hotels and short-lets in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki often fill up by October, and short-let rates can triple in December.
- Getting around: traffic is heavy all month, so ride-hailing trips cost more and take longer. Our Lagos traffic guide covers ferries, rail and route planning.
- Exchange rate: if you are spending pounds or dollars, check the dollar to naira rate before you change money, and use licensed channels.
For Lagos residents, the bigger cost is usually the sheer number of events, weddings and outings in a few weeks. Set a December budget in advance and decide which two or three events matter most to you.
Safety tips for Detty December
- Buy tickets only from official sellers. Use the platform the organiser names, such as DOT TIX for Detty December Fest or cene.xyz for Flytime. Fake tickets, screenshots and “resold” QR codes on WhatsApp and Instagram are common every December. Our guide to common WhatsApp scams shows the warning signs.
- Plan your ride home before you go. Use registered ride-hailing apps, share your trip with a friend, and agree a meeting point, because mobile networks jam around big shows.
- Keep your phone and cash out of sight. Phone snatching rises in crowds and traffic. Carry a little cash for vendors and use cards or transfers for the rest.
- Watch your drink and stay with your group. Never leave drinks unattended, and leave together.
- Respect crowd safety. Know where the exits are, avoid pushing at gates, and drink water: December days in Lagos are hot and humid.
- Check every bank alert. Fake transfer alerts and POS scams increase at busy venues. Confirm payments in your own banking app, and read our guide on failed POS transactions if something goes wrong.
For visitors from abroad
- Entry rules: Nigeria requires proof of yellow fever vaccination. Many foreign nationals can get a visa on arrival but must apply for pre-approval online before travelling; Nigerian passport holders do not need a visa.
- SIM card: buy a local SIM from an official network shop; you will need to link it to your NIN or passport details.
- Health: bring any medication you need and travel insurance that covers you in Nigeria.
Detty December and the 2027 elections
This year’s festive season runs straight into an election. The presidential and National Assembly elections are on Saturday, 16 January 2027, and campaigns will be in full swing throughout December. If you are registered to vote, make sure you collect your PVC while you are home. Our guides on checking if your PVC is ready and whether Nigerians abroad can vote explain what to do. Expect political rallies to add to traffic in some areas.
Frequently asked questions
When is Detty December 2026?
The term covers the whole festive season, roughly from mid-December to New Year. The main announced events run from 17 December (Davido’s residency) to 30 December (the end of Detty December Fest and Carnival Calabar).
How much is a Wizkid ticket for Detty December Fest 2026?
Opening-night tickets for 18 December start at N50,000 for general access, N150,000 for the golden circle and N300,000 for VIP standing. Tables are by request.
Who is headlining Flytime Fest 2026?
Headliners had not been announced by mid-October 2026. Line-ups circulating online with Davido, Asake, Olamide and Flavour were for the 2025 edition.
When is the Calabar Carnival parade in 2026?
The main parade of the bands is on 28 December 2026, with the cultural carnival on 26 December and the bikers’ carnival on 29 December.
How much does a Detty December trip cost?
One travel guide estimates $2,000 to $3,000 for a self-planned week from abroad, with packages from about $3,950. Your costs depend heavily on flights, where you stay and how many events you attend.
Is Detty December safe?
Most people enjoy it without problems, but crowds, traffic and scams bring risks. Buy tickets from official sellers, plan your transport, keep valuables hidden and stay with friends.
Bottom line
Detty December 2026 already has three big anchors in Lagos (Davido’s residency, Wizkid’s festival opening and Flytime Fest) plus the Calabar Carnival, with more announcements to come. Book early, buy tickets only from official sellers, plan your transport, and keep an eye on your budget. We will update this guide as new events and prices are announced; follow our WhatsApp channel below to get the updates.
Sources
- The Rio Times: Detty December 2026 Lagos and Accra guide (updated October 2026)
- The Rio Times: Detty December Fest Lagos 2026, dates, Wizkid and tickets
- TurnTable Charts: Wizkid to open Detty December Fest 2026
- ThisDay: Davido to thrill fans with Oriadé, The Residency (September 2026)
- Legit.ng: Davido’s Lagos concerts near sell-out (October 2026)
- New Telegraph: Cross River unveils calendar for Carnival Calabar 2026
- allAfrica: Lagos and Giwa Gardens announce 100,000 free tickets (November 2025)
- BusinessDay: Flytime’s December 2025 events (for comparison)
