Calabar Carnival
A Christmas-season street carnival held every December in Calabar, Cross River State.
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At a glance
- When
- Every December. Exact dates and length vary.
- Where
- Calabar, Cross River State
The Calabar Carnival is held every December in Calabar, Cross River State, as a Christmas-season event. Its official site calls it "Africa's biggest street party", which is the organisers' own description.
What it is
The carnival is a December street event in Calabar, held during the Christmas season, with competing bands.
It was originally a month-long event from 1 December and was later shortened to two weeks, while the 2022 edition is described as lasting 32 days, so the length varies.
History
The start year is described two ways. Wikipedia's infobox gives 2004, when Donald Duke revived the carnival. The same article says an older carnival predated independence, halted during the civil war, resumed in 1971 and slowed after 1993.
Bands
The bands named for 2022 were Masta Blasta, Passion 4, Freedom, Diamond and Kalasvegas. The state increased the number of bands from five to seven.
Recorded winners:
- 2013: Masta Blasta
- 2015: Passion 4
- 2017: Passion 4
- 2018: Passion 4
- 2019: Passion 4 and Freedom, jointly
Recent years
The 2020 edition was suspended and the 2021 edition cancelled because of COVID-19. The 2022 edition was held after two years.
On 28 December 2022 a vehicle drove into the crowd, killing 14 people and injuring 24. The Biker's Parade was discontinued afterwards.
Recent themes were "Our Shared Prosperity" (2024), "Traces of Time" (2025, the 20th anniversary) and "Rethinking Our Collective Destiny" (2026).
Planning
The carnival is held every December, but exact dates are not confirmed here.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the riverine areas of Cross River State, those reachable by boat and not by road (page updated 22 Oct 2026), so check the advice for your route. Read is Nigeria safe to visit? for the wider picture.
The carnival falls in the same season as Detty December. Spending the holidays in Lagos instead? See Christmas in Lagos.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Calabar Carnival?
Every December. Exact dates are not confirmed here.
How many bands compete?
Seven in 2022, after the state increased the number from five.
Is it part of Detty December?
It is a December event in the same season, but Detty December is mostly Lagos-based.
Sources and further reading
Last checked
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