The Calabar Carnival is regarded as national celebration. The city of Calabar hosts a number of carnival events throughout the full month of December.
Since it first started in 2006, the Calabar Carnival is a relatively recent addition to Nigeria’s yearly festival calendar, even though it is currently called “Nigeria’s largest street party.” Every year, the month-long carnival runs from December 1 to December 31 and features a diverse schedule of activities, such as dance, music, and other cultural events. A beautiful showcase of Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
History Of Calabar Festival
Calabar Carnival got its beginnings in 2004 when the governor of Cross River, Nigeria, Donald Duke, believed it would be the ideal method to stimulate tourism and the local economy. He aimed to make Nigerians’ favorite vacation spot in Nigeria, Cross River State.
His vision for the Calabar Carnival, which prominently included the region’s history, was a huge success. Currently, the carnival brings in millions of tourists over the full month of December, greatly boosting the local economy.
Ironically, one of the world’s newest carnivals is also the biggest and greatest carnival in Africa, the continent where carnival originated. This carnival gathering will undoubtedly play a significant role.
How is the Carnival celebrated?
The committee in charge of tourist and cultural activities creates the carnival’s schedule each year. New initiatives are always included, and 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 displays, beauty pageants, traditional dance, and even essay-writing contests!
Calabar Carnival Important Facts and Figures
- It is an annual festival held in Calabar Cross Rivers State.
- It is held between the 1st and 31st of December.
- The regulatory body for the Calabar Carnival is the Cross River State Carnival Calabar Commission.
- The festival is tagged the biggest street party in Africa.
- It has featured international artistes like late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin.
- In 2013, the festival musical concert was headlined for the first time by a local artiste.
Calabar Carnival – Main Carnival Week
- 27th December: The Bikers parade occurs in the morning
- 27th December: Miss Africa beauty pageant occurs in the eventing
- 28th December: Calabar Street Parade & Band of the Year Competition
- 29th December: Wonders on Wheels occurs in the evening in Calabar Stadium and displays vintage cars
- 30th December: Green Carnival occurs in the morning and displays actions favorable for the environment. The event culminates in a street party held in the evening
- 31st December: New Year’s Eve Fireworks display
The Calabar Five Bands
Each of the five major contesting bands of the Calabar Carnival has roughly 10,000 members. The names and colors of each band are distinctive. Each band includes up to five kings and queens who wear elaborate costumes that represent the year’s theme and serve as models for the other members of the band.
Masta Blasta Band (Orange)
The orange family is known as Masta Blasta Band! They pride themselves on being the most entertaining band, and they are aware of the significance of the Calabar Carnival. The biggest band by far is Masta Blasta, which has members from all over the world totaling well over ten thousand. They are renowned for being inclusive.
Passion 4 Band (Green)
The Green Band, also known as Passion 4 Band, is the most popular band in history. It has more victories than any other band in the tournament. The group is frequently thought of as being the best of all of them. The group is also the only one with separate divisions for adults and children.
Seagull Band (Red)
The bright red color of Seagull Band makes it very recognizable. It has been said that the band is the most fashionable and coordinated. The band is renowned for its patriotism and everything about it is related to Calabar dances, Calabar costumes, and Nigerian carnival attire. They are quite pleased to display their ancestry.
Freedom Band (Yellow)
Yellow is the color that represents the Band of Freedom. Ever since the carnival’s inception, this band has consistently been rated among the top three bands.
Bayside Band (Blue)
The founder of the Calabar Carnival and former governor Donald Duke serve as the band’s leaders. It is recognizable by its characteristic aqua marine color and welcomes all band members, including foreigners.
