About Calabar Carnival
The Calabar Carnival is the centrepiece of the month-long Calabar Festival in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria, and bills itself as "Africa's Biggest Street Party". Launched in 2004 by then-governor Donald Duke to boost tourism, it has grown into one of the continent's largest carnivals, drawing enormous crowds to the city of Calabar every December and anchoring Nigeria's festive-season tourism.
The festival fills the whole of December with concerts, a Christmas village, cultural displays and competitions, but its heart is the carnival parade, in which costumed bands such as Seagull, Freedom, Bayside and Masta Blasta compete with elaborate floats, choreography and dazzling outfits along a route several kilometres long. Each year follows a chosen theme, and the bands rehearse for months to win the top prize.
The main carnival parade falls in the final days of December, with the wider festival running across the whole month; the exact parade day shifts a little year to year. The countdown above shows how many days remain until Calabar Carnival — add it to your own page or explore more December and festival countdowns on the site.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, December 27, 2026next |
| 2027 | Monday, December 27, 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, December 27, 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday, December 27, 2029 |
| 2030 | Friday, December 27, 2030 |
FAQ
When is the Calabar Carnival?
The Calabar Festival runs throughout December, with the main carnival parade in the final days of the month. The exact parade date shifts slightly each year.
Why is the Calabar Carnival celebrated?
It was created in 2004 to promote tourism, culture and unity in Cross River State, and has become a flagship of Nigeria's festive-season celebrations.
How is the Calabar Carnival celebrated?
With a month of concerts and cultural events climaxing in a huge street parade where costumed bands compete with floats, dance and music.
Where does the Calabar Carnival take place?
In Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in southeastern Nigeria.