The Drums, The Dust, and The Dance Never Stop
If there’s one thing Nigerians know how to do, it’s throw a party that tells a story and Cultural festivals are our living, dancing, drumming museums. From the colourful regalia of the Durbar to the sacred mystique of the Ogun Festival in Ekiti, there’s always something happening somewhere across this vibrant country. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a photographer looking for your next muse, a tourist, or just a Lagosian looking to japa temporarily to the real Nigeria, here’s your guide to the top cultural festivals in Nigeria for 2025 where to go, what to expect and why you should definitely pack a wrapper.
Ojude Oba Festival
Forget what you think you know about cultural festivals Ojude Oba is in a league of its own. Every year, on the third day after Eid el-Kabir, the entire city of Ijebu-Ode lights up in a grand spectacle of royalty, fashion, heritage, and pure cultural pride.
At its core, Ojude Oba is about paying homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, but what you’ll experience goes far beyond royal greetings. We’re talking majestic horse parades, where powerful warrior families (Baloguns) ride in like royalty with colour-coordinated outfits that would make any fashion week jealous. Each family steps forward in style, performing cultural salutes and dances that tell tales of their lineage and loyalty.
But wait the real flex? The fashion. From jaw-dropping aso ebi styles to jaw-dropping gele arrangements and accessories that scream “I’ve arrived,” this is where Ijebu fashionistas come out to play. The festival doubles as a cultural homecoming, bringing together Ijebu indigenes from across the world for a reunion that fuses tradition with a splash of 21st-century fashion vibes.
Music, drumming, cheers, and food everywhere, from spicy jollof to peppered ponmo and chilled drinks under the August sun. The vibes are electric, the crowd is elite, and the cultural richness? Unmatched.
So if you ever wanted to see Yoruba royalty meet Lagos-level glamour, Ojude Oba should be at the top of your festival bucket list. It’s not just a festival it’s an experience that tells the Ijebu story with pride, pomp, and pageantry.
Ilorin Durbar Festival – Kwara State
The Ilorin Durbar Festival, held during Eid al-Adha (and sometimes Eid al-Fitr), is a royal celebration like no other. While Durbar traditions began in historic emirates like Kano, Katsina, and Zazzau, Ilorin brings its own twist blending Fulani, Yoruba, Nupe, Gobir, and Kanuri cultures into one dazzling event.
At its core, the Durbar is a majestic horse-riding parade, where the Emir of Ilorin leads hundreds of warriors and nobles in stunning regalia, reenacting the ancient martial traditions of the north. Expect synchronized stunts, thunderous drums, and royal fashion on full display.
It’s not just a cultural showcase it’s a living tradition that draws tourists, scholars, and culture lovers from across Nigeria and beyond. And yes, there’ll be food, fanfare, and enough photo moments to fill your gallery.
Ogun Festival – Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti state
The Ogun Festival begins in Ijero-Ekiti every August, and it’s nothing short of electrifying. Celebrated annually for over 1,000 years, this seven-day festival is a deep-rooted tradition among the people of Ijero-Ekiti, dedicated to Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron, war, and technology.
The town transforms into a sacred arena filled with chants, drumming, hunter salutes, and spiritual rituals. Devotees offer roasted yams, palm wine, and local delicacies to appease the fiery deity. Gunshots from local dane guns echo through the air not in fear, but in honour.
Beyond its spiritual depth, the festival serves as a powerful symbol of unity and identity. It’s a time when Ijero sons and daughters, young and old, come together to celebrate their heritage, resilience, and cultural pride. The energy is real, the sights are raw, and the spirit is unforgettable.
Note: This is sacred ground. Respect the customs, ask before taking photos, and just soak in the beauty of a living tradition.
Durbar Festival – Northern Nigeria (Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Sokoto)
The Durbar Festival is the North’s grandest cultural parade. It’s a powerful blend of Islamic tradition, royal pageantry, and centuries-old military heritage. Held during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (June–July 2025), the festival takes centre stage in historic cities like Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Sokoto, turning palace fronts and public squares into arenas of colour and power.
Originally a military procession to display the Emir’s cavalry and loyal warriors, Durbar has evolved into a dramatic public spectacle. Picture hundreds of horsemen in sync charging, with robes flowing, swords flashing, and drums pounding as they pay homage to the Emirs seated in regal splendour. Every gallop tells a story of courage, faith, and loyalty.
Crowds line the streets to watch the warrior parades, listen to Hausa praise chants, and snap photos of royal guards and noble families in dazzling turbans and embroidery. It’s tradition on horseback fast-paced, spiritual, and unforgettable.
Eyo Festival – Lagos Island
If you’ve never seen Eyo masquerades up close, prepare to be amazed. The Eyo Festival, also called the Adamu Orisha Play, is a one-of-a-kind cultural procession held on Lagos Island and trust me, when it happens, the entire city knows.
Unlike other masquerade festivals in Nigeria, Eyo is strictly white: tall, flowing costumes, wide-brimmed hats, and white canes (opambata) that the masquerades twirl and tap as they glide through the streets in silence and mystery. The festival is typically held to honour a departed Oba (king) or prominent Lagosian, and though not annual, when announced it’s always epic.
The island shuts down. There are no motorbikes, no sandals, no caps, strict rules are enforced. But the reward? A surreal, spiritual parade through Lagos Island that connects the city’s modern vibe with its deep Yoruba heritage.
Also Note: Don’t wear slippers, caps, or take selfies too close. The Eyo don’t play they represent the ancestors.
Argungu Fishing Festival – Kebbi State
Welcome to Argungu, where tradition dives deep literally. Held in March every year in Kebbi State, the Argungu Fishing Festival is Nigeria’s most legendary fishing event and one of West Africa’s biggest cultural spectacles.
On the final day of the festival, the Matan Fada River becomes the stage for a wild, adrenaline-pumping competition: thousands of fishermen armed with nothing but large fish baskets jump into the water at once, racing to catch the biggest fish by hand. No nets. No bait. Just skill, strength, and tradition.
But Argungu is more than just fishing. The four-day festival features canoe races, traditional wrestling, music, dancing, and parades that showcase the rich culture of the Kebbi people. The entire town comes alive with colour, sound, and the spirit of community.
New Yam Festival – South-East Nigeria
The New Yam Festival, also known as Iri Ji or Iwa Ji, is the Igbo people’s ultimate harvest celebration, held across towns and villages in Southeastern Nigeria between August and September each year.
This is not just about yams, it’s about gratitude, tradition, and abundance. Before any new yam is eaten, communities come together to thank the gods and ancestors for a bountiful harvest. Chiefs and elders bless the first yam, masquerades come out in full force, and everywhere you turn, there’s drumming, dancing, and feasting.
You’ll see traditional dancers in ankle rattles, masquerades like Mmanwu performing symbolic acts, and locals dressed in vibrant Isi Agu fabrics and coral beads. And of course, there’s yam- boiled, pounded, fried, roasted and served with spicy sauces and palm wine.
Osun-Osogbo Festival – Osogbo, Osun State
Every year, the sacred Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo becomes the heartbeat of Yoruba spirituality during the Osun-Osogbo Festival, held between late July and August. This UNESCO-listed cultural event honours Osun, the goddess of fertility, purity, and fresh water.
The highlight of the festival is the procession of the Arugba, a young virgin girl who carries offerings in a covered calabash to the Osun River, followed by thousands of worshippers, priests, and devotees dressed in glowing white. It’s mystical, emotional, and spiritually charged.
Expect chants, rituals, blessings, traditional drumming, and dance performances all wrapped in centuries-old tradition. The atmosphere feels like stepping into a living myth, where the line between the natural and spiritual worlds blurs.
Tip: Wear white to blend in respectfully. Whether you’re spiritual or just curious, this festival leaves a mark on your soul.
Ofala Festival – Onitsha, Anambra State
The Ofala Festival is a royal celebration like no other, held annually in Onitsha and other Igbo kingdoms, usually in October. It’s the moment when the Igwe (king) steps out in full regalia to bless his people, mark his reign, and renew traditional authority.
This isn’t just ceremony it’s a cultural statement. The Igwe appears after days of seclusion, greeted by cheers, cannon blasts, and traditional music as he performs blessings and receives homage from titled chiefs, dancers, and guests.
The whole scene is majestic: flowing robes, beaded crowns, red caps, dancers swirling to Igbo drums, and a parade of community pride. It’s an elite affair that welcomes everyone, from locals to dignitaries and curious travellers alike.
Sango Festival – Oyo, Oyo State
The Sango Festival in Oyo is a fiery tribute to Sango, the powerful Yoruba god of thunder and lightning. Held every August, this festival is packed with spiritual energy, dramatic rituals, and breathtaking performances.
Expect passionate chants, spectacular fire displays, and vibrant drumming as devotees celebrate the thunder deity’s strength and power. Traditional priests perform ancient rites, and dancers electrify the crowd with their rhythmic moves, all while honouring the god who commands storms and justice.
It’s not for the faint-hearted but for those who want to experience Yoruba spirituality in its most intense form, the Sango Festival is unforgettable.
Calabar Carnival – Calabar, Cross River State
Dubbed “Africa’s Biggest Street Party,” the Calabar Carnival lights up Calabar every December with ten days of nonstop music, dance, fashion, and fun. It’s the ultimate festive explosion, a melting pot of Nigerian culture with global vibes.
Streets burst with colourful parades, elaborate costumes, and energetic performances by top musicians and dance troupes. Visitors enjoy cultural showcases, food fairs, and carnival competitions, all wrapped in the warm hospitality Cross River is famous for.
Whether you want to party till dawn or soak up culture by day, Calabar Carnival is the place to be for unforgettable energy and joy.
Tip: Book your accommodation early, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to make memories!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
- World’s Most Powerful Passports 2025: Henley Passport Index Rankings
- Visa Free Countries for Nigerian Passport Holders in 2025
- Where to Chill : The Best Lagos Beaches for Fun & Relaxation
- 9 unforgettable destinations to add to your travel bucket list
- Top 7 Must-Visit Destinations in East Africa and the Best Time to Explore Them
Leave a Reply