Lagos Gears Up For Cash‑Splashing 'Detty December' — Hotels Full, Concerts Booked

Hotels are filling up and final preparations for concerts and street parties are underway as Lagos prepares for "Detty December", the city’s raucous year‑end celebration that draws returning diaspora, regional visitors and international travellers.

Despite a recent state of emergency declared over mass kidnappings in the north and centre of Nigeria and two years of punishing inflation, Lagos — the economic hub of southern Nigeria — is set to reverberate with music, nightlife and large family reunions.

What Is Detty December?

Detty December, a phrase trademarked in 2019 by events organisers Deola and Darey Art Alade, has evolved into a cultural pilgrimage of concerts, food events and club nights. "Detty" derives from Nigerian Pidgin for "dirty," evoking the wild, non‑stop atmosphere as the city swells well beyond its usual roughly 20‑million residents.

Economic Windfall

The festivities are more than celebration: they are a major economic boost. Lagos state officials estimated that last year’s December events generated about $71.5 million in government revenue, including $44 million from the hotel sector alone — a welcome injection during a year when inflation topped 30 percent.

Authorities have moved to capitalise on the seasonal homecoming. Culture Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa said the government is working to "move Detty December from a social trend to a structured national asset," and the state promoted a broader "101 Days in Lagos" campaign to build momentum with exhibitions, conferences and festivals ahead of the December finale.

Hotels, Bookings And Prices

Major hotels report early bookings and heavy demand: Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos’s largest property with roughly 825 rooms and nine restaurants and bars, says December accounts for an estimated 15–20% of annual revenue. Guests often reserve as early as July and the hotel typically fills by November.

Prices can be steep: weekly family packages for four commonly range from 8 to 13 million naira (about $5,500–$9,000 depending on the room). For many Nigerians these packages are a premium purchase, reflecting the festival’s lucrative appeal to hospitality, restaurant and entertainment sectors.

Music And Crowd Pullers

At the heart of Detty December are headline concerts featuring top Afrobeats stars. This year, Asake and Davido are scheduled to perform on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day respectively. Ticket prices are high by local standards — roughly four times the monthly minimum wage of 70,000 naira — underscoring both demand and affordability tensions.

"I would call it a cultural pilgrimage," said Deola Art Alade, who curates an annual festival that mixes concerts, food and clubbing events. "People are coming to see family and bringing friends — there is a real 'Dirty December' fever," added her husband Darey.

Organisers and officials say the festival’s appeal is expanding internationally beyond the traditional diaspora: travel packages and event tourism are attracting visitors from the United States and Europe, including Black Americans seeking a different cultural experience.

Balancing Risks And Rewards

While the influx brings economic rewards, organisers and authorities face the challenge of ensuring safety and managing rising costs for locals. As Detty December unfolds, Lagos aims to showcase its cultural vibrancy while turning a popular social trend into a sustainable tourism asset.