Carnival Calabar

FYI

Wait for it!!!

CARNIVAL PARADE OF THANKSGIVING 2026

It’s time to raise our voices, lift our hearts, and celebrate God’s goodness in grand style!

Join us on the 6th of April 2026 by 10AM for a powerful and colorful Carnival Parade of Thanksgiving across the streets of Calabar.

Theme: Glorification

“…and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon us.” – Isaiah 60:1

From vibrant costumes to joyful praise, this parade will be a moving expression of gratitude, culture, and faith.

📍 Take-off: Millennium Park
🛣️ Through major city routes
🏁 Back to Millennium Park

Come out, celebrate, and be part of something truly uplifting. Let’s fill the streets with thanksgiving and joy!

On this special day, we join hearts and voices to celebrate a remarkable leader, a visionary, and a pillar of the carnival spirit—Senator Gershom Bassey, Band Leader of the Masta Blasta Carnival Band.

Your passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire not only your team but the entire carnival community. Through your leadership, you have kept the flame of creativity, unity, and cultural pride burning brightly, reminding us all of the power of purpose and teamwork.

As you mark another year, may your days be filled with renewed strength, greater accomplishments, and boundless joy. May your vision continue to grow, your influence expand, and your legacy shine even brighter in the years ahead.

From all of us at Calas Vegas Carnival Band, we celebrate you today and always. Keep leading, keep inspiring, and keep making magic.

Happy Birthday, Sir!

Yours sincerely,
High Chief Edem Duke
Band Leader

Deputy Band Leader
Agnes Okon

And the entire family of Calas Vegas Carnival Band

Carnival Calabar and Festival 2026

Calabar remains the Destination of choice

Anticipate Calabar Love Festival 2026 ❤️

Love, music, culture and unforgettable moments come alive this Valentine’s Day as Calabar sets the mood once again.
From stunning performances to an atmosphere under the warm Leadership of His Excellency Sen Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of CRS, and his Dear wife Her Excellency Bishop Mrs Eyoawan Bassey Otu.

filled with joy and connection, Calabar Love Festival promises a night to remember.

📍 Millennium Park, Calabar
📅 14th February 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM

Come celebrate love the Calabar way warm, vibrant and truly magical.

Calabar… where love lives ❤️

Carnival Calabar 2025 raised over 17.4 billion.

The Cross River State Tourism Bureau says over N17.4 billion was injected into the state treasury from its 32-day festivals and carnivals in December 2025.

Ojoi Ekpenyong, the managing director of the tourism bureau, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, said the event hosted over 248,000 visitors.

He said that the statistics reinforced the event’s growing status as one of Nigeria’s “most powerful” tourism drivers.

According to him, the visitor inflow for the 2025 edition exceeded 2024 figures by about 24 per cent.
He noted that tourism activity between November 2025 and January 2026 recorded sharp gains across accommodation, transportation, attraction and entertainment sites.

Mr Ekpenyong said that the Calabar International Airport handled over 12,000 inbound passengers during the period, with 81 per cent arriving from other Nigerian states and about four per cent from the diaspora.
He added that overall visitor movement into the city in December was estimated at more than 248,000 people, with transportation spending alone at N10.6 billion.

He said hotels in Calabar recorded an average occupancy rate of 72 per cent, up from 68 per cent in 2024, while peak occupancy rose to over 95 per cent between 16 December and 30 December 2025.

“Total hotel booking revenue was estimated at N3.9billion

He said that revenue from food, beverages and breakfast services stood at about N2.05 billion, reflecting longer visitor stays and increased spending.
Adding that between November and December 2025, more than 370,000 tourists visited major attractions, including Obudu Mountain Resort, Kwa Falls and Marina Resort, representing nearly 80 per cent growth

He said that beyond hospitality, the festival continues to energise Calabar’s creative and nightlife economy.

According to him, major ticketed events, including Funfest, Queen of Humanity and Calabar Fashion Show, generated an estimated N130 million, while five leading nightclubs recorded combined revenues of about N460 million.

FYI