Detty December 2026: Confirmed Concerts, Festivals and Dates in Lagos, Calabar and Beyond

Every year, December turns Lagos, Calabar and other cities into one long festival, as Nigerians at home and in the diaspora fill concerts, carnivals, beaches and parties. Every year, too, social media fills with fake line-ups and ticket scams. This guide lists only what has been officially announced so far, with the source for each, so you can plan your money and your calendar with confidence.

Detty December 2026 Calendar: Confirmed So Far

Lagos: Flytime’s “We Own December” at Eko Convention Centre

Flytime Promotions, the company behind Rhythm Unplugged, has announced a run of events at the Eko Convention Centre on Victoria Island under the banner “We Own December 2026”, from 20 to 25 December.

• 20 December – Flytime’s House of R&B: The Concert. American R&B singer Brandy is the headliner.
• 21 December – Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged. Atlanta rapper Lil Baby, R&B singer Kehlani and American rapper Yung Miami are the announced headliners; Yung Miami was added to the bill on 21 October.
• 22 to 24 December – Flytime Fest Powered by Coca-Cola, followed by Flytime Circle on 25 December, complete the series. Performers for these nights had not been announced when we checked.

Ticket prices and categories had not been confirmed in the sources we checked. Follow Flytime’s and Rhythm Unplugged’s official accounts for ticket releases, and buy only through the ticketing partners they name.

Calabar: Davido Headlines on 29 December

The Cross River State Ministry of Information has announced that Davido will perform at the 2026 International Carnival Calabar and Festival on Tuesday, 29 December 2026, at the main bowl of the U.J. Esuene Stadium. The ministry quoted his own announcement: “We have a date: 29th December, 2026.”

The carnival, often described as Africa’s biggest street party, runs through December, with dry runs and parades building up to the main carnival days. The official 2026 schedule on the Carnival Calabar website (carnival.crossriverstate.gov.ng) runs from the Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park on 30 November to New Year’s Day, with the main street parade, the Carnival Calabar and Parade of Bands, on Monday, 28 December. Watch the Cross River State Carnival Commission’s official channels for any changes. If you are travelling, book flights and hotels early: Calabar fills up in late December.

Lagos, 7 December: The CAF Awards

The Confederation of African Football’s 2026 awards ceremony is in Lagos on Monday, 7 December, bringing Africa’s top players, coaches and football officials to the city at the start of the festive season. Our guide covers the CAF Awards 2026 in Lagos, including last year’s winners.

Holidays and Films

Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December and New Year’s Day on Friday, 1 January 2027. Boxing Day is on Saturday 26 December, so a Monday substitute holiday is expected. See our guide to public holidays from November 2026 to January 2027 for how to turn a few days of leave into a long break.

For cinema nights, several big Nollywood titles are dated for December, including The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives in cinemas from 4 December. See our list of Nollywood movies coming this Christmas.

How to Avoid Detty December Ticket Scams

• Buy only from official channels. Use the ticketing platform or outlets the organiser names on its official accounts. Avoid resellers on WhatsApp, Instagram DMs and X.
• Check the line-up yourself. Fake flyers with famous names appear every December. If an artist is not listed on the organiser’s or artist’s own accounts, assume it is not confirmed.
• Pay safely. Avoid transfers to personal accounts for tickets. Our shopper’s guide explains how to spot fake online stores and where to complain.
• Keep your ticket private. Do not post QR codes or barcodes on social media; they can be copied.

Plan Your Money and Travel

• Set a December budget now for tickets, transport, outfits and gifts, and decide in advance which events matter most.
• Book domestic flights early. Fares rise as December approaches. See our guide to domestic flights in Nigeria.
• Allow for the weather. Harmattan haze can delay flights in December; build slack into your plans. Read our harmattan guide.
• Plan your late-night transport before the event, especially after concerts that end in the early hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Rhythm Unplugged 2026?

Monday, 21 December 2026, at Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, with Lil Baby, Kehlani and Yung Miami as headliners.

When is Flytime Fest 2026?

From 22 to 24 December at Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, as part of Flytime’s “We Own December 2026” series (20 to 25 December). Its performers had not been announced when we checked.

Is Davido performing at the Calabar Carnival 2026?

Yes. The Cross River State Ministry of Information says he will perform on 29 December 2026 at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Is Brandy coming to Lagos?

Yes. She headlines Flytime’s House of R&B concert at Eko Convention Centre on 20 December 2026.

Sources

1. Flytime Promotions – “We Own December 2026” announcements (Eko Convention Centre, 20–25 December; House of R&B with Brandy; Rhythm Unplugged with Lil Baby, Kehlani and Yung Miami; Flytime Fest, 22–24 December; Flytime Circle, 25 December), as reported by Style Rave, 17 October 2026, and by Leadership and EURweb, October 2026
2. Cross River State Carnival Commission – Carnival Calabar 2026 schedule – carnival.crossriverstate.gov.ng
3. Cross River State Ministry of Information – “Davido to Headline 2026 International Carnival Calabar and Festival”, 14 October 2026 – news.crossriverstate.gov.ng
4. Confederation of African Football – CAF Awards 2026, Lagos, 7 December 2026 – cafonline.com
5. Public Holidays Act (Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day)

Last updated: 25 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Entertainment Desk. Events can change; always confirm with the organiser before you buy tickets or travel. We will add events as they are officially announced.