Detty December, as Nigerians coined it, is a period between December and early January when locals and diaspora communities flock to Lagos and neighbouring environs to experience unforgettable year-end experiences such as music festivals, weddings, and all other recreational activities.

These events are increasingly making Lagos a popular holiday destination. As December nears, businesses such as hospitality, event organisers, cinemas, fast food chains, and other tourist attractions in the state prepare for their busiest time of the year.

The experience in Lagos in 2024 had a massive impact on the South-West region’s economy, boosting sales, especially in the aviation, hospitality, tourism, and entertainment industries.

Reports state that hotels generated $44 million. Short-Let apartments generated $13 million from bookings, and the tourism and entertainment sectors brought in $71.6 million (N111.5 billion) during Detty December in Lagos State in December 2024.

According to a BusinessDay report on air travel inward Lagos in December, flights from Europe, London, and the United States that arrived in Nigeria for the Christmas celebration were ” full to the brim” despite high fares owing to the current exchange rate.

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The report also states that some airlines had to increase capacity to accommodate the influx of air passengers during the festive period.

Flights like Delta Air Lines had daily nonstop flights on its New York JFK – Lagos route from December through February, which saw a 133 percent increase in the number of flights in December. United Airlines also boosted its service between Lagos and Washington, D.C., significantly during the holiday period.

Susan Akporaiye, CEO of Topaz Travels and Tours and former National Association Of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) president, explained to BusinessDay that the high demand for flights from Europe and London during this period was due to the large Nigerian diaspora residing in those regions, particularly in London and the US, outnumbering the growing Nigerian community in Canada.

Local flights also witnessed a surge in prices as Nigerians who wanted to arrive in Lagos by air were forced to cancel their Christmas travels or take road trips to save costs.

Sarah Effiong, an AkwaIbom-based Nigerian, wanted to experience Detty December in Lagos for the first time. She paid over N120,000 for a one-way flight to Lagos from Uyo.

The hospitality scene also saw a huge influx of people during the Christmas period. On her arrival in Lagos, Effiong said that hotels around the airport axis in Ikeja and its environs were fully booked. Some returnees who tried to book accommodations on the same day of arrival to Lagos were disappointed.

Nigeria’s entertainment scene buzzed during Detty December, offering an abundance of music festivals featuring performances by some of the biggest Afrobeats stars, like Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Rema, Johnny Drille, Joeboy, Cavemen, among others.

Spotify’s latest data revealed that in 2024, Afrobeats grew by 114 percent globally, with Nigerian artists dominating international charts.

According to Businessday findings, the Detty December Lagos music-related event numbered up to 58 events in Lagos alone.

Joeboy Lavida experience, SURF & TURF, Splash out by DJ Biosky, Mainland Block Party, Island Block Party, ITALAWA FC party, Erigga Live, the bonfire experience with Victony, Fuji Vibration 2024, The Experience, Lady Donli & the Lagos Panic, Pulse Fiest 2024, Rema Live in Concert, DJ Obi House, The Cavemen Live in Lagos, were all the examples of music shows that ran during the Detty December period.

The average cost of attending some of these shows was between N50,000 and N100,000, not including the cost of Uber fares, which surged 13 percent during the last quarter due to higher fuel costs and higher demand.

Read also: Fashola: Nigeria got 4% equivalent of its GDP in ‘Detty December’

Flytime Fest by Flytime Promotions, headed by Cecil Hammond, was one of the standout music events of the year. The show had US rapper, Gunna, headline the annual Coca-Cola Rhythm, ‘Unplugged.’ event with Davido, Olamide, and Ayra Starr headlining the other three Flytime Fest events. Other performing artists were D’Banj, Bnxn, Fireboy, Odumodublvck, Qing Madi, Tyla, and other top and emerging artists.

The ticket prices for the Flytime events ranged from N120,000 to N300,000 for the VIP tier while the VVIP tier ranged from N3 million to N35 million for a table set.

The Lagos State government also organised the ‘Greater Lagos Countdown 2025,’ a free music and fireworks festival held on December 31st, which brought in the likes of Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, and others to perform the hit songs on stage for Lagosians in attendance as they crossed over into the new year.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on his social media handles, “The energy at the Greater Lagos Countdown 2025 was electric, with the vibrant spirit of our people shining through every moment. It was a celebration like no other. Lagos is home. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible artists who honoured Lagos’ call to perform and made the night unforgettable—Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Olamide, Seyi Vibez, and many more. Your talent and passion lit up the stage and brought joy to every corner of Lagos. To the amazing residents of Lagos who came together in unity, celebrating as one people with one purpose—thank you for showing the world the true Lagos spirit.”

The cinema business during the Detty December period also witnessed a spike in attendance, which increased ticket sales and box office revenues. As reported by FilmOne Entertainment, December emerged as the highest-grossing month of 2024, with a total revenue totalling N2.8 billion. This was driven by the success of movies like ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa,’ which made over N1 billion in December, ‘Mufasa’ and ‘Alakada Bad and Boujee.’

Bolanle Austen-Peters’ ‘Dear Kaffy’ also contributed to the thriving entertainment scene, with ticket sales at Terra Kulture in Lagos from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Meanwhile, ‘Once Upon Four Robbers,’ directed by Dire Badejo and staged at the Muson Center, captured the hearts of theatre enthusiasts during this festive period.

Tourist attractions such as art galleries, Beaches, conservation centers, and recreational parks also witnessed a surge in attendance.

“My experience in Lagos this December was fun. We set out to experience events like the Lady Donli concert, Cavemen, la Campne Tropicana resort, Fusion restaurant, and Dear Kaffy theatre show. Lagos is the center of entertainment in Nigeria, and it’s quickly becoming a top city to visit,” Effiong added.

However, some flashes of these events were seen in other parts of the country, including the South-East region.