The season may be over, but memories of Nigeria’s festive period are still fresh. Over several weeks, millions of Nigerians travelled from major cities to their hometowns, while others moved between states to spend time with family and friends. Roads were busy, transport hubs were crowded, and many communities gradually filled up as people returned home to rest, celebrate and reconnect.

Villages that are usually quiet became active again, with returnees bringing movement and spending back into local communities. In cities, streets, markets and event centres were busier as residents took time off work to attend festivals, social gatherings and public events.

What stood out was how the season played out differently, yet followed familiar patterns across the country. In rural areas, activities were informal but steady, built around community interaction, games and shared meals. In urban centres, celebrations were more organised, with carnivals, concerts, cultural displays and large crowds. Together, they showed how Nigerians use the season not just to relax, but to socialise, compete and stay connected.

The village vibe

In many villages, people who travelled home for the season were far from bored. Once activities started, there was usually something going on every day. In several South-East communities, New Yam Festival celebrations brought people out in large numbers. Families cooked together, neighbours visited one another, and young people gathered at village squares for dance displays and informal performances.

Football was one of the biggest attractions. Many villages organised local competitions, with teams drawn from different quarters or neighbouring communities. These matches often pulled large crowds, especially in the evenings, and became a major source of entertainment for visitors returning from the cities. Wrestling contests and masquerade displays also featured in some areas, keeping people moving from one activity to another.

Markets were busier than usual, as traders sold food, drinks and snacks to residents and visitors. For many returnees who expected a quiet break, the steady mix of games, performances and social visits made the stay more engaging and helped them reconnect with friends and extended family they had not seen in months.

Also Read: New Yam Festival set to boost Enugu’s economy and cultural tourism this December

Youth trends also found their way into village life. In some communities, Gen Z groups introduced activities such as “Umuada clock it,” where young women came together to dress up, dance and joke around, often recording the moments to share online. These gatherings were informal but popular, drawing attention from both locals and visitors.

The city “Detty December”

City celebrations reflected the same energy but on a much larger scale. In Lagos, the “Detty December” period once again turned the city into a busy hub, with concerts, parties, festivals and cultural events running through the month. The Eyo Festival added a traditional element, with white-clad masqueraders moving through parts of the city to the sound of drums.

In the North, Kano and Katsina hosted the Durbar Festival, where horse riders in decorated attire performed displays that drew large crowds. In Cross River State, Calabar Carnival filled the streets with performers, costumes, floats and music, continuing the state’s long-running effort to centre leisure and tourism on the festive season.

Other states also organised large public events. Nasarawa State held a Christmas parade that attracted significant attention, although it was later overshadowed by reports of fatalities, raising concerns about crowd control and safety as festive events grow in size.

City markets, bars, restaurants and event centres benefited from increased activity, while roadside vendors also saw more customers. Across urban areas, the season combined tradition, entertainment and everyday socialising, showing how festive periods now blend cultural expression with business and leisure.

Across Nigeria, from village football fields to city streets, the festive season showed how celebration remains part of everyday life. Whether through small community gatherings or large public events, the period gave people space to reconnect, unwind and take part in shared activities that cut across age, location and background.

Meiza Nigeria