Detty December is the Nigerian and Ghanaian end-of-year party season, and Nairobi now has its own version, Detty December Kenya. For the full meaning and scope of this end of the year festival, see our ultimate guide on Detty December.
The main Detty December Kenya events in 2026 run from 5 to 20 December in Nairobi. The first concerts will be led by Wizkid at the Detty Dezemba Festival on 12 December, SolFest from 17 to 19 December and Blankets & Wine on 20 December. If you really want to enjoy the last days of 2026 in fanfare and festivals, it’s best to stay in Westlands or Kilimani, and book your car, dinner table and hair appointment early.
TL;DR Detty December Kenya
- The main Detty December Kenya shows run 5 to 20 December 2026, from Wizkid and Uncle Waffles to SolFest and Blankets & Wine.
- Westlands and Kilimani are good bases, but the venues sit in different parts of Nairobi.
- Buy tickets early, because the cheapest Detty Dezemba tier has already sold out.
- Uber is staying in Kenya. Use Uber, Bolt, inDrive or Little Cab, or hire a car with a driver.
Which Detty December Kenya concerts and festivals are on in 2026?
Honestly, at this time, we have only confirmed Wizkid and Uncle Waffles to lead the 2026 list at Detty Dezemba Festival on 12 December. However, Nairobi still has six show dates between 5 and 20 December. Most of the details come from KBC, KenyanVibe and Music In Africa, and organisers may still add names or venues. So be sure to bookmark this post for new updates as soon as they come.
| Date (2026) | Event | Where | Names announced so far |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 Dec | AMAPIANOLAND in Nairobi | Masshouse, Ngong Racecourse, Ngong Road | No artists named; Amapiano and Afrobeats sets |
| Sat 12 Dec | Detty Dezemba Festival | Laureate Gardens | Wizkid, Uncle Waffles |
| Thu 17 Dec | SolFest VIP Show | Venue not yet named | Not announced |
| Fri 18 Dec | SolFest Safari Oontz | Uhuru Gardens, Lang’ata Road | Kenyan Afro house DJs and live musicians |
| Sat 19 Dec | SolFest Fan Show | Venue not yet named | Not announced |
| Sun 20 Dec | Blankets & Wine | Venue not yet named | Not announced |
If you have bought big festival tickets, you know that tickets go up in waves. KBC reports that Detty Dezemba’s cheapest tier, at KSh 2,000, has sold out, and that organisers say prices rise each time an artist is revealed. Rio Times lists SolFest’s Safari Oontz from KSh 3,500, its Fan Show from KSh 3,526 and its VIP Show at KSh 25,026, so check each official ticket store for today’s price.
The listings leave 13 to 16 December free, which suits sightseeing between Detty December Kenya shows. For other cities, read our Ultimate Detty December 2026 guide. Starting in Nigeria? See our Detty December Lagos 2026 guide.
How do I get to Nairobi and where should I stay for Detty December Kenya?
To enjoy this season of joy and fun, your desination in Kenya should be the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Your hotel stay should be in Westlands for a short trip or Kilimani for a longer stay, as our guide to where to stay in Nairobi suggests.
Also, these places are close to the venues of the big events. There are events in different parts of the city, though. For example, there are events in Ngong Racecourse, Uhuru Gardens on Lang’ata Road and Laureate Gardens.
Two places can look close on a map but take more than an hour to reach at rush hour, so check each route before you book a hotel or a ride.
Compare fares on Trip.com as soon as you pick your Detty December Kenya shows. Then search Nairobi stays on Hotels.com. Because you are booking early, and we don’t have any confirmations yet, it is wise to choose a hotel with free-cancellation rate so that you can cancel without paying, at least until you have your tickets. If you land late or leave early, see our list of hotels near Nairobi airport with a free shuttle.
Sort your phone data before you land. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you install by scanning a QR code, with no shop visit. Airalo sells Kenya plans, and our best travel eSIM guide compares more options.
Should I hire a car in Nairobi or use a ride app for Detty December?
You can use a ride app for most Detty December Kenya trips and hire a car with a driver for long days out. While you can no longer use Uber in Nigeria and Uganda, you can still order Uber, Bolt, inDrive and Little Cab in Kenya.
At JKIA (the airport), Bento says to request your ride after you collect your bags and to reject any car whose plate does not match the app. Agree how you will pay (cash, card or M-PESA, Kenya’s phone money service) before pickup, and do not move the trip off the app if a driver asks.
What if you want to rent or hire a car (with a driver)? Discover Cars puts average car hire in Nairobi at about £50 a day, with January the most expensive month at about £54.51. We cannot confirm if the price will go up in December yet, so compare prices before you pay.
HOT Tip: Kenya drives on the left, and Magical Kenya recommends an international driving licence on top of your home one, so a car with a driver is easier for most visitors.
Which fine dining restaurants in Nairobi are worth booking for Detty December?
To enjoy the last days of the year, treat yourself to fine dining at INTI, Talisman or Jiko, the three best fine dining restaurants worth booking during Detty December Kenya. Shore Africa calls INTI, a Nikkei restaurant with skyline views, Nairobi’s most consistently rated fine dining spot. For context, Nikkei cooking mixes Japanese and Peruvian food.
If you like intercontinental, Talisman serves Asian, European and African dishes in a restored colonial home in Karen, with lantern-lit gardens. Jiko at Tribe Hotel serves African-inspired dishes from an open kitchen, such as tamarind-glazed lamb. At the time of this writing, we don’t have any confirmed menu prices or booking rules, so ask each restaurant before you go, and read recent reviews on Tripadvisor.
What are the best cultural things to do in Nairobi between shows?
Start with Nairobi National Museum, then add Bomas of Kenya and the Giraffe Centre. Rough Guides calls the museum the biggest and best in Kenya, with galleries on Kenya’s communities. Since 7 May 2026, The Star reports adult entry at KSh 350 for Kenyan and East African citizens, US$9 for residents of Africa and US$18 for visitors from outside Africa.
Rough Guides describes Bomas of Kenya as a cultural centre with traditional homes, including Kikuyu, Maasai, Luhya, Kamba and Luo homes, and daily performances. It says you can feed Rothschild’s giraffes from a raised platform at the Giraffe Centre, about 30 minutes from downtown. For more ideas, read our guide to interesting activities and places in Kenya.
You could get a tour guide too. Viator lists Nairobi tours, and the private full-day drive tour we found in November 2026 starts from about $200, with lunch and water included and entry fees extra.
Where can I get my hair done in Nairobi for Detty December?
Kilimani is a good place to start, because Fresha lists several salons there. They include De Bella Curls Spa, Salon & Barber (4.7 from 11 reviews), elixirsalonandspa (5.0 from 4 reviews) and Hair by StylistTery. Carys Salon, Barber and Spa is at Mytown Mall on Lang’ata Road. We have seen these places, but we have not tried them all, so read recent reviews before you pay a deposit.
And if you like their service, tell them you learned about them from Travel Radio Live for a pleasant surprise!
Fresha puts braiding in Nairobi at KSh 2,000 to 3,000 and it can take up to 2 hours. Book your slot before you fly, and do your hair the day before a big Detty December Kenya show so you are not rushing on show day.
How do I plan my Detty December Kenya 2026 trip step by step?
Follow these six steps, in this order:
- Pick two or three shows from the table and buy tickets only from each organiser’s official page or ticket store.
- Check entry rules in our Kenya travel guide for Nigerians, then book flights and a free-cancellation hotel.
- Reserve one fine dining table and your hair appointment before you fly.
- Install an eSIM and set up a ride app, or book a car with a driver.
- Plan museum and culture visits for the free days between 13 and 16 December.
- Leave early for every show, because Nairobi traffic is slow.
Frequently asked questions about Detty December Kenya
When is Detty December 2026 in Nairobi?
The main shows run from 5 to 20 December 2026. AMAPIANOLAND is on 5 December, Detty Dezemba Festival is on 12 December, SolFest runs from 17 to 19 December and Blankets & Wine is on 20 December.
Who is performing at Detty Dezemba Festival in Nairobi?
Wizkid headlines on 12 December and Uncle Waffles is confirmed. More artists may be added, so check the official ticket channels.
What is Detty December?
Detty December is the Nigerian and Ghanaian end-of-year party season, and Nairobi now has its own version. “Detty” is a playful Pidgin twist on the word “dirty”, and it means late nights, packed shows and parties all over the city.
How much are Detty December Kenya tickets?
Detty Dezemba’s cheapest tier, at KSh 2,000, has sold out, and organisers say prices rise each time an artist is revealed. SolFest’s Safari Oontz starts from KSh 3,500, its Fan Show from KSh 3,526 and its VIP Show at KSh 25,026. Check each official ticket store for today’s price.
Where should I stay in Nairobi for Detty December?
Stay in Westlands for a short trip or Kilimani for a longer stay. The venues sit in different parts of Nairobi, and two places can look close on a map but take more than an hour to reach at rush hour, so check each route before you book.
Is Uber working in Kenya?
Yes. Uber left Nigeria and Uganda on 2 September 2026, but it is staying in Kenya. Bolt, inDrive and Little Cab also operate in Nairobi.
How much does car hire cost in Nairobi?
Discover Cars lists an average of about £50 a day, with January the most expensive month at about £54.51. It shows no December figure, so compare prices before you pay.
Planning to see Kenya’s parks after Nairobi? Read our Kenya safari guide for first-time visitors.
