In order to celebrate and promote local tradition and culture to a larger audience, the Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, originally proposed the Calabar Carnival. Duke had a goal of making the state a tourism and hospitality centre in Nigeria and Africa. Since then, it has grown significantly more than expected and is now known as "Nigeria's biggest street party"!
How is the Carnival celebrated?
The committee in charge of tourist and cultural activities creates the carnival's schedule each year. New projects are always introduced, but there is a constant emphasis on regional history and culture. Previous activities have celebrated Nigerian culture by hosting football tournaments, music concerts by regional and international musicians, the annual Calabar Carnival itself, boat regattas, fashion shows, beauty pageants, traditional dancing, and even essay-writing contests!
Annual street parade and cultural celebration known as the Calabar Carnival are conducted in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The carnival contains vibrant costumes, music, dance, and other forms of entertainment, and it typically happens in December.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on large gatherings, the Calabar Carnival did not take place in 2020 and 2021 as it will depend on the prevailing public health situation.
However, it is hoped that the Calabar Carnival will return soon, and continue to provide a platform for cultural expression, entertainment, and tourism in Nigeria.
