The biggest season of the year is coming, for Lagosians and IJGBs (the "I Just Got Back" diaspora) alike. Spend your days in the Lagos most visitors never see: its history, art, nature and the Atlantic story. We will curate every detail.
Each experience includes transport and a local guide, and can be personalised. Tell us your dates and group, and we will send you a quote.
Badagry Heritage Museum, the First Storey Building in Nigeria (1845) and the boat and walk to the Point of No Return on Gberefu Island.
Get a Quote →John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History and the National Museum in Onikan, ending with a walk through Freedom Park.
Get a Quote →The canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre at opening time, then five floors of Nigerian art at Nike Art Gallery.
Get a Quote →Two days built around your family: choose 3–6 of our 12 locations, plus meals, security, a driver and a content creator if you want one.
Get a Quote →Plan one area per day and start by 9am. December traffic punishes anyone who crosses the city twice.
Full details are in 12 Daytime Things to Do in Lagos This Detty December.
Dates marked "reported" come from published press guides as of September 2026. Always confirm with the organiser before you book travel.
| Dates | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 12–18 Oct | Felabration | New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja |
| 28 Oct – 1 Nov | Lagos Fashion Week | Lagos |
| November | ART X Lagos art fair | Lagos |
| All December | Calabar Carnival | Calabar, Cross River State |
| 18–20 Dec (reported) | Motherland Festival | Lagos |
| 21 Dec (reported) | Rhythm Unplugged | Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island |
| 22–25 Dec (reported) | Flytime Fest | Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island |
| 31 Dec | New Year’s Eve countdowns | Across Lagos |
| 16 Jan 2027 | Presidential & National Assembly elections (plan a quiet day) | Nationwide |
Costs, booking timeline and getting around: read the complete Detty December 2026 guide. Travelling with children? See the diaspora family guide. Safety, entry rules and the 2027 election dates are in our travel advisory.
In December, where you stay decides how much of Lagos you see and how much you spend in traffic.
| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Island | Concert venues, beach clubs, restaurants | The most expensive area in December, and gridlocked on event nights |
| Ikoyi | Quieter stays close to the Island museums and Jazzhole | Short hop to VI; limited short-let supply, so book early |
| Lekki Phase 1 | Short-lets, Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Conservation Centre | The Lekki–Epe corridor is slow at rush hour |
| Mainland (Ikeja and around) | Better value, close to the airport and the New Afrika Shrine | Long drives to Island events at night |
December is the most expensive time of year in Lagos. Published travel guides put an independent visitor at roughly US$2,000–3,000 a week, not counting flights.
For the full breakdown, read what Detty December costs.
December in Lagos is a fashion season: weddings, owambes, concerts and matching family outfits.
Planning a textile day? Read our Lagos Fashion Week and textiles guide.
Detty December runs from mid-November 2026 to about 10 January 2027. The peak is roughly 18 December to New Year’s Day, when most of the big concerts take place.
Explore Yoruba history at the John Randle Centre and National Museum, walk Freedom Park and the Brazilian Quarter, see Nike Art Gallery, cross the Lekki Conservation Centre canopy walkway, or spend a full day in Badagry at the Point of No Return.
We offer curated day trips and weekends: the Atlantic Day in Badagry, the Island Roots heritage day, the Lekki Art & Nature day, and a Diaspora Family Weekend built from any of our 12 locations. Each experience includes transport and can be personalised.
Every experience is curated, so we quote for your group size, dates, locations and extras. Request a quote online in about two minutes or message us on WhatsApp.
Book as early as possible. Flights and hotels sell out by October, and our December dates fill from November. Early booking gets you the best days and guides.
Yes. It is the most meaningful day many visitors spend in Nigeria. Leave Lagos early to avoid traffic and plan to be back by evening. We handle the driving and the boat crossing.
Yes. We tailor pace and locations by age. Lekki Conservation Centre and LUFASI suit younger children, while the John Randle Centre and Badagry work well for older children and teens.
The presidential election is on 16 January 2027 and governorship elections are on 6 February 2027, so campaigning will be under way in December. Avoid rallies, follow official travel advice, and plan to stay in on polling days, when movement is usually restricted. See our Detty December travel advisory for details.
December dates fill from November. Tell us what you love and we will curate the day, handle the driving and send you a personal quote.