Detty December is Nigeria’s big end-of-year party season. And Lagos is usually the loudest. What is Detty December Lagos 2026? “Detty” is a playful Pidgin twist on the word “dirty”. We will paint the town red with late night concerts, packed shows and parties all over the city.
The biggest Detty December in Lagos this year runs from 17 to 30 December. It is led by Davido’s three-night concert, Wizkid’s opening night at Detty December Fest and Flytime’s shows at the Eko Convention Centre. If you are coming in from abroad, the best city to stay is Victoria Island or Lekki. Try to book your hotel, dinner table and hair appointment early.
TL;DR
- The main shows run 17 to 30 December 2026, from Davido and Wizkid to Brandy and Lil Baby.
- Victoria Island and Lekki put you closest to venues, restaurants and salons.
- Book flights, hotels, tables and hair slots early, because December prices climb.
- Hire a car with a driver, or use Bolt or inDrive. Uber left Nigeria on 2 September 2026.
Which Detty December Lagos 2026 Concerts and Festivals Are On?
This post is not a promo but there are several big names coming to Lagos to run concerts and shows. Davido, Wizkid, Brandy and Lil Baby are confirmed to be in Lagos for this Detty December, with at least eight big shows between 17 and 26 December. Leadership and NotJustOk published most of the lineups below in early November, and organisers may still add names.
| Dates (2026) | Event | Where | Names Announced So Far |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 to 19 Dec | ORIADÉ: The Residency | Wole Soyinka Centre (old National Theatre), Iganmu | Davido |
| 18 to 30 Dec | Detty December Fest | Not named in the reports we read; check the organiser’s page | Wizkid opens on 18 Dec |
| 19 to 23 Dec | ICONIQ FEST | Lekki Coliseum | BNXN, FOLA, Oxlade, Ruger, Mr P |
| 20 Dec | Flytime’s House of R&B | Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island | Brandy |
| 21 Dec | Coca-Cola Rhythm Unplugged | Eko Convention Centre | Lil Baby, Kehlani, Yung Miami |
| 22 to 24 Dec | Flytime Fest | Eko Convention Centre | Latto, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Sexyy Red (22 Dec) |
| 23 Dec | AfroJazz Fest: To the Roots | Amore Gardens, Lekki | The Cavemen, Lagbaja |
| 26 Dec | The Greatest Showman | Wole Soyinka Centre | Adekunle Gold (formal dress code) |
If you look at this table, you’ll see that there’s at least one big show almost every night from 17 to 24 December.
Lineups, dates and venues can change, so buy tickets only from the organiser’s own page. For Accra, Calabar and Nairobi dates, read our Ultimate Detty December 2026 guide.
How to Get to Lagos and Where to Stay for Detty December Lagos 2026
Wherever you are, all you have to do is book a flight to Nigeria. Look at this post for visa requirements if this is your first trip to Nigeria.
So, ensure that your airline’s destination is Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. The best place to stay for ease of movement and access is Victoria Island or Lekki. That is because most of the big venues are there.
For example, the Eko Convention Centre is in Victoria Island and there are 3 big shows happening there. The Lekki Coliseum and Amore Gardens are in Lekki.
I must warn you that traffic on Third Mainland Bridge, Ikorodu Road and the Lekki-Epe Expressway usually gets heavy in December, so a hotel stay near your show saves you long waits in traffic.
Flights usually cost more in late December, so compare fares early on Trip.com. Then search Lagos stays on Hotels.com and pick a free-cancellation rate, which lets you cancel without paying, until you have your tickets. For a smaller budget, see our list of budget hotels in Lagos.
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 and Nomad both sell Nigeria plans, and our eSIM guide shows the setup steps.
Should I Hire a Car or Use a Ride App for Detty December Lagos 2026?
A car with a driver is the easiest way to get around Lagos in December. SIXT rents cars in Nigeria with a driver included, caps the driver at 10 hours a day and charges extra after that. Discover Cars lists an average of about €381 a day in December against €96 in October, so book early.
Ride apps also work, but Uber stopped operating in Nigeria on 2 September 2026. Use Bolt or inDrive instead.
At the airport, the airport authority (FAAN) cleared Bolt to resume pickups on 27 August 2026. The rules have changed fast, so keep a backup plan. Our report on the airport pickup dispute has the details.
During that dispute in August, one traveller paid ₦30,000 for an airport taxi to a hotel in Ikeja while the same trip cost ₦6,000 on inDrive. If you plan a road trip out of the city, read our guide to police checkpoints in Nigeria first.
Which Fine Dining Restaurants in Lagos Are Worth Booking for Detty December Lagos 2026?
Roadbook calls Ìtàn Test Kitchen in Ikoyi the leading fine dining restaurant in Lagos. It serves a tasting menu, which is a set meal where the chef sends out many small dishes. Roadbook’s guide, last updated on 24 December 2024, lists the set menu at ₦115,000 and says you must reserve. Ask for today’s price when you book.
NOK by Alara on Victoria Island serves Nigerian dishes such as ewa agoyin and amala in a garden setting. Roadbook says Shiro in Oniru serves food from across Asia, has an outdoor area facing the ocean and is almost always busy. Read recent reviews on Tripadvisor before you book.
Which Cultural Places Should I Visit in Lagos for Detty December Lagos 2026?
Start with Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, Freedom Park on Lagos Island, Kalakuta Republic Museum in Ikeja and the National Museum in Onikan. Ikeja Record says Nike Art Gallery shows over 8,000 artworks. It describes Freedom Park as a former colonial prison that is now a memorial park.
Kalakuta Republic Museum is Fela Kuti’s old home at 7 Gbemisola Street. Meiza reports that it opens on weekdays from 11am to 6pm, so confirm before you go.
Want a guide instead? Viator lists Lagos city tours, and the private full-day tours we checked in November 2026 start from about $210.
Where Can I Get My Hair Done in Lagos for Detty December Lagos 2026?
Victoria Island and Lekki Phase 1 hold many of the salons that visitors use. On Fresha, listed salons include Studio Stylish (Adeola Odeku Street), Lipa Hair (Eletu Ogabi Street) and Tresses Lagos (Kofo Abayomi Street) on Victoria Island, plus Hello Texture in Lekki Phase 1. Fresha puts the average price for braids in Lekki at about ₦15,000 and says to set aside up to six hours.
Newlines reported that December is the busiest season for Lagos salons and that many raise prices for visitors from abroad. Book your slot before you fly, and do your hair the day before a big show. One visitor told Cosmopolitan UK that traffic made her arrive after her stylist had left.
How Do I Plan My Detty December Lagos 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 page.
- Book flights and a free-cancellation hotel in Victoria Island or Lekki.
- Reserve one fine dining table and your hair appointment before you fly.
- Install an eSIM and arrange a car with a driver or a Bolt or inDrive account.
- Plan culture visits for a weekday, because Kalakuta is reported to open on weekdays only.
- Leave early for every show, because December traffic is slow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Detty December Lagos 2026
When Is Detty December Lagos 2026?
Most big shows run from 17 to 30 December 2026. A concert called ÀLÓ: Once Upon a Song starts the calendar on 13 December at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, and Detty December Fest runs for 13 days from 18 December.
Who Is Performing in Lagos for Detty December Lagos 2026?
Announced names include Davido, Wizkid, Brandy, Lil Baby, Kehlani, Latto, BNXN, Oxlade, Ruger and Adekunle Gold. More acts may be added, so check each organiser’s page.
Is Uber working in Lagos?
No. Uber left Nigeria on 2 September 2026. Bolt, inDrive and the state-backed LagRide are the main alternatives.
How much does a car with a driver cost in Lagos in December?
Discover Cars lists an average of about €381 a day for December, against about €96 in October. Prices change often, so compare before you pay.
Planning to see Ghana after Lagos? Read our guide to Lagos to Accra by road.
