Lagos celebrates loudly and often. Some of its festivals are centuries old; others are a few years old and already fixed in the calendar.
Eyo
The Eyo festival is Lagos Island’s own: a procession of masquerades in flowing white robes and wide hats, each carrying a staff, through the streets of the Island to Tafawa Balewa Square. It is not held every year — it is staged to honour the passing of a notable Lagosian, or for a special occasion — so when one is announced, go.
Respect the rules: on the day, sandals, headgear such as head ties and certain hairstyles are forbidden near the masquerades, and the Eyo will tell you so.
Felabration
Every October, around the birthday of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the creator of Afrobeat, Felabration fills the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja with a week of music, debates and art. It is one of the best-attended music events in the country.
Art, fashion and film
Late in the year Lagos hosts a run of art fairs, fashion weeks, photography and film festivals, mostly on the Island, which draw collectors and designers from across Africa and its diaspora.
December
December is when the diaspora comes home. Concerts, parties, weddings and beach events fill every weekend, a season known as “Detty December”. It is a great time to be in Lagos and an expensive one:
- Flights into Lagos cost most in December. Book early.
- Traffic is at its worst, especially on the Island and in Lekki.
- Short-let and hotel prices rise, and good ones go early.
- Event tickets: buy from the organiser, not from someone on social media. Fake tickets are a December staple.
Religious festivals
Christmas, Easter, the two Eids and the Prophet’s birthday are public holidays, and the city slows down for each.