THE SHORT VERSION / Lagos Detty December itinerary
The best 7-day Lagos itinerary for Detty December 2026 runs from 18 to 25 December. Open with Wizkid at Detty December Fest on 18 December, add Rhythm Unplugged on the 21st and Flytime Fest from 22 to 25 December, and fill the days with Tarkwa Bay, Nike Art Gallery, the Lekki canopy walk and suya.
- Best dates
- 18 to 25 Dec
- Opening night
- Wizkid, 18 Dec
- Anchor event
- Flytime Fest, 22 to 25 Dec
- Beach day
- Tarkwa Bay
- Culture
- Nike Art Gallery
- Budget
- ≈ $2,000 to $5,000
Lagos in 7 days: the plan at a glance
| Day | Date | Daytime | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 Dec | Land at LOS, check in on the Island | Detty December Fest opening: Wizkid |
| 2 | 19 Dec | Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Arts Market | BNXN at Landmark Centre or a lounge |
| 3 | 20 Dec | Tarkwa Bay by boat | Motherland Festival or beach club |
| 4 | 21 Dec | Lekki Conservation Centre canopy walk | Rhythm Unplugged |
| 5 | 22 Dec | Recovery brunch in Ikoyi | Flytime Fest night 1 |
| 6 | 23 Dec | Freedom Park and Lagos Island | Flytime Fest night 2 |
| 7 | 24 Dec | Owambe, family or spa day | Flytime Fest night 3 |
Dates come from announced 2026 schedules: Detty December Fest runs 18 to 30 December with Wizkid opening on the 18th, Rhythm Unplugged is on 21 December and Flytime Fest runs 22 to 25 December at Eko Convention Centre. Line-ups can change, so check the events calendar.
Day 1: land and go straight to the opener
- Clear Murtala Muhammed International (LOS) with your passport and visa approval (and your yellow fever card, if you have one).
- Use a pre-booked driver or ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, inDrive) from the airport.
- Check in on the Island and rest. The opening concert starts at 6pm.
- Eat before you go. Suya after the show is tradition.
Days 2 to 4: culture by day, warm-up nights
- Nike Art Gallery in Lekki: four floors of Nigerian art. Allow two hours.
- Tarkwa Bay: take a boat from the jetty for calm water and a break from the city.
- Lekki Conservation Centre: home to one of Africa's longest canopy walkways. Go early.
- Rhythm Unplugged on 21 December: a Lagos December concert that has run since 2004.
Days 5 to 7: Flytime Fest
Flytime Fest is the anchor of the Lagos calendar, with Davido, Asake, Olamide and Flavour announced for 2026. Our Flytime Fest 2026 guide covers tickets, entry and timings.
- Sleep in and brunch late in Ikoyi or VI.
- Leave for the venue early. Traffic around Eko Hotel builds from late afternoon.
- Agree a meeting point with friends. Networks go down in big crowds.
Staying longer? The second week in Lagos
- 27 Dec: Kizz Daniel at Eko Hotel.
- 28 Dec: Wizkid Live at Futurefest, TBS, or Fireboy DML at Eko Convention Centre.
- 26 to 30 Dec: a flight to Calabar for the carnival. See our Calabar Carnival guide.
- 31 Dec: New Year's Eve countdown and parties.
Doing Lagos and Accra?
Do Lagos from 18 to 25 December, then fly the one hour to Accra on 26 December for Detty Rave and AfroFuture. The Accra itinerary picks up from there.
THE PRACTICAL DETAILS
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best dates for Detty December in Lagos 2026?
18 to 28 December 2026. That window includes Detty December Fest's opening with Wizkid (18 Dec), Rhythm Unplugged (21 Dec), Flytime Fest (22 to 25 Dec) and Wizkid at Futurefest (28 Dec).
How many days do you need in Lagos for Detty December?
Seven days covers the main concerts plus a beach day and some culture. Ten to fourteen days lets you add Wizkid at TBS, Calabar Carnival or a trip to Accra.
What should I do in Lagos during the day in December?
Visit Nike Art Gallery, take a boat to Tarkwa Bay, do the Lekki Conservation Centre canopy walk, explore Freedom Park and eat suya, jollof and pepper soup.
