DETTY LIST / When is Detty December?
When is Detty December 2026?
THE SHORT VERSION / Detty December 2026 dates
Detty December 2026 runs from about 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 in both Ghana and Nigeria. The busiest nights are 26–31 December. Book flights and stays by October to avoid December price spikes.
Countdown to opening night
Your Detty December timeline
September
Book flights and accommodation. The best prices and short-lets are still available.
October
Lock in early-bird festival tickets. Apply for your Ghana visa or Nigeria e-Visa.
November
Reserve restaurants, drivers and beach houses. Buy an eSIM and travel insurance.
1–13 December
Early arrivals, weddings and warm-up parties. Ghana's Farmers' Day is 4 Dec.
14–25 December
Season opens: Motherland Festival, Detty December Fest (from 18 Dec), Rhythm Unplugged, Flytime Fest.
26–31 December
Peak week: Calabar Carnival, Detty Rave, Wizkid, AfroFuture, Afro Nation, New Year's Eve.
1 January
Recovery brunch, then the 'January is long' era begins.
When is Detty December in Ghana vs Nigeria?
The dates are almost the same. Lagos starts a little earlier with big-arena concerts from 18 December. Accra builds to its peak from 27 December with Detty Rave and AfroFuture. See every date in the events calendar.
Detty December 2026 key dates
| Date | What's happening |
|---|---|
| 4 Dec | Farmers' Day public holiday in Ghana (long weekend) |
| 18 Dec | Detty December Fest opens in Lagos with Wizkid |
| 18 to 20 Dec | Motherland Festival, Lagos |
| 21 Dec | Rhythm Unplugged, Lagos |
| 22 to 25 Dec | Flytime Fest, Lagos |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Boxing Day, the busiest beach day of the year |
| 26 to 30 Dec | Calabar Carnival main parades |
| 27 Dec | Detty Rave, Accra |
| 28 Dec | Wizkid at Futurefest (TBS, Lagos) |
| 28 to 30 Dec | AfroFuture, Accra |
| 31 Dec | New Year's Eve crossover and parties |
Full details are in the events calendar.
What are the best dates to go?
- For Lagos: 18 to 28 December covers every big concert.
- For Accra: 26 December to 1 January covers Detty Rave, AfroFuture and New Year's Eve.
- For both cities: Lagos from 18 to 25 December, then Accra from 26 December to 1 January.
- On a budget: 10 to 18 December, before peak prices, with fewer headline shows.
When are flights cheapest for Detty December?
Flights to Lagos (LOS) and Accra (ACC) from London, the US and Canada are cheapest when booked early, typically by September or October. Prices climb sharply through November, and departures from 18 to 24 December and returns from 1 to 5 January are the most expensive. Flying on a weekday and returning on 2 January or later can save money.
How long should you stay?
- A long weekend (3 to 4 nights): one city, one or two headline events.
- One week: one city properly, with day trips and 3 to 4 events.
- Two weeks: both Lagos and Accra, or one city plus Calabar or Cape Coast.
THE PRACTICAL DETAILS
Book before prices jump
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Frequently asked questions
When does Detty December start?
Unofficially from early December, when the first IJGBs land. The main events start around 14–18 December.
When does Detty December end?
On 1 January. Some visitors stay until the first week of January before flying home.
When should I book for Detty December?
Flights and accommodation by September or October, festival tickets in October, and restaurants and drivers in November.