Festivals in Nigeria
Nigeria's festivals follow the calendar in different ways. The Osun-Osogbo Festival is held in August, and the New Yam Festival is held in early August among the Igbo. The Calabar Carnival runs in December, in the same season as Detty December.
Others are harder to plan around. The Eyo Festival in Lagos has no fixed annual date and is announced about a week ahead. The Argungu Fishing Festival returned on 14 Feb 2026 after a six-year break, in a state under UK travel warnings. Each guide lists its sources and the date we last checked it. Dates change, so check the organisers before you plan travel, and read is Nigeria safe to visit? first.
Festivals by month
- August: Osun-Osogbo Festival and the New Yam Festival (early August)
- December: Calabar Carnival
- No fixed date: Eyo Festival, announced about a week ahead
- No regular date: Argungu Fishing Festival, last held on 14 Feb 2026
All festivals
Photo: 4toscenethesis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and compressed. Eyo Festival
Lagos Island, Lagos State
Photo: Mfatimayusuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and compressed. Argungu Fishing Festival
Argungu, Kebbi State
Photo: Raji kunle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and compressed. Calabar Carnival
Calabar, Cross River State
Photo: Mayowamayowamayowa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and compressed. Osun-Osogbo Festival
Osogbo, Osun State
New Yam Festival
An annual Igbo harvest festival, Iwa ji, held in early August to celebrate the new yam.