There is no better way to explore and experience Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage than joining in the colourful celebration at the cultural festivals. With a lot of inimitable cultural festivals for you to choose from; the Africa’s biggest street party in Calabar, the worship of the goddess Oshun in the Sacred Forest of Osun, or witnessing the stunning white Eyo masquerades and lots more, here are 8 cultural festivals in Nigeria for you.

1. Lagos Carnival

Lagos Carnival is one of the most vibrant parties in Nigeria. You can feel the excitement in the air even before the carnival kicks off yearly. Revellers are seen travelling from different parts of the world to experience this carnival. You can join in the fun of the Carnival. Make new friends and share those memorable moments with family and friends.

2. Osun Festival

The Osun festival usually takes place in the month of July and August every year. Off to the Sacred Forest of Osun, in a one week colourful festival to honour and reverence the river goddess, Oshun of Osun State, people come here to get their solutions to their problems.

3. Eyo Festival

Witness one of the most unique and fabulous celebrations in Nigeria. Some people call it the Adamu Orisha Play, a Yoruba festival that transforms the commercial Lagos Island to be stunning white. It attracts thousands of tourists from around the world who comes to see costumed dancers or masquerades called ‘Eyo’ who perform during the festival. The processions are colourful and a lot of major roads are closed. It is strongly believed that Eyo Festival is a forerunner of the world biggest carnival in the world, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

4. Calabar Carnival

No festival can ever beat the Calabar Festival when it comes to amazing performances. It is the celebration of creativity and culture that blends with both the traditional and modern lifestyle of the people of Cross River State. The long feathered headdresses, the colourful costumes, the mesmerising dancers and dance steps, the  street parades and the bands attract thousands of people to it.

5. Carniriv

For seven days, few weeks before Christmas in the city of Port Hacourt, The Port Hacourt Carnival which combines two carnivals;  a contemporary Caribbean style carnival and a cultural carnival changes the ‘Garden City to become very colourful.  Carniriv is Rivers State’s biggest tourism export.

6. Argungu Fishing Festival

You may have experienced some fascinated water activities around the world but if you have not been to Argungu fishing festival, your list may not be complete. The alluring dynamics of the festival, the exciting spectators, and the anxious competitors who are ready to jump inside the river to begin their search for the biggest fish make this fishing festival extraordinary and beautiful.

7. New Yam Festivals

One festival that is celebrated around the country is the New Yam Festival; from the Leboku in Ugep, Cross River State to the Iriji-Mmanwu festival in Enugu State, the festival is celebrated in pomp and cultural display.  Hundreds of masquerades, dancers in beautiful attires, acrobatic displays and fetish activities make it one festival that you should not miss.

8. Sango Festival

Pretty much experience for anyone who has ever come to Sango Festival, this festival is in the honour of Sango the all powerful god in Yoruba land. This festival has facilitated an annual home-coming avenue for Yoruba descents in the Diaspora as a form of pilgrimage. It brings back the past history and celebrates the culture and tradition of the people, while creating wealth and employment for the people.