By Josephine Agbonkhese

Local festivals and carnivals are fast becoming tourist attractions all around the world. In Nigeria too, carnivals depicting the strong cultural heritage and diverse arts of locals in different cities draw in thousands of culture enthusiasts.

Here are some local celebrations happening in December within Nigeria; we hope you schedule a trip to one of them for an exhilarating cultural experience.

★Ogwashi-Uku Carnival
This is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most colourful carnivals that attracts thousands of people. A three-day fiesta that begins December 24 and ends December 26 featuring a carnival float procession, cultural dances, musical concerts, fashion shows, dinner parties, quizzes, competitions, talent hunt and displays targeted at the progress and development of the community.

★Enugu Christmas Fest
Scheduled to run from December 7th to 31st, 2024, this inaugural 25-day festival promises a diverse range of entertainment options including concerts and carnivals for residents of Enugu State and neighbouring areas, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind with family and friends.
In addition, the festival this year will include a “Santa Street Storm” where over 100 Santa Claus figures on tricycles will parade through the state, bearing gifts for orphanages and the less privileged. It’s a state government-backed initiative.

★Calabar Carnival
If looking to experience the fun of a life time infused with some cultural exploration, then the Calabar Carnival should be your destination.
Also known as Africa’s Biggest Street Party, the annual carnival holds every December in Cross River State as an activity to mark Christmas celebration yearly. The two-week festival has since become the delight of tourists from across Africa and beyond since 2006.

★Ojude Oba Festival
Held in the town of Ijebu-Ode, in southwestern Nigeria, the Ojude Oba Festival is a celebration of the town’s cultural heritage. It takes place on the third day of the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, which usually falls in December.

★Carniriv Festival
A blend of culture, tradition, fashion and lifestyle fused together to showcase the rich heritage of Africa, this annual festival is one of the biggest in Nigeria held every December in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The seven-day funfair draws over thousands of people to the city, with an abundance of seafood to savour on during the carnival.

★Igue/Ewere Festival
The Igue or Ewere festival is an annual cultural event in Benin, Edo State, which primarily displays the intriguing Benin culture and its people.
It takes place during the first half of the month of December with so many acrobatic displays, costumed dancing and a procession to the palace of the Oba of Benin.