A large number of local rituals and festivals are
held each year in Nigeria. Many of these are
open to the general public, although some may
not be accessible to women. Annual sporting,
cultural and arts events are also held in
Nigeria's towns and cities, such as Abuja, Benin
City, Oshogbo and around Lagos.
Locals will agree that the northern side of
Nigeria plays host to some of the country's most
exciting and well-attended festivals and
festivities, with annual Islamic celebrations (the
end of Ramadan and Tabaski) especially notable
in Kano, Katsina and Zaria. At the end of the
year, Benin City comes alive with traditional
dancing, mock battles, themed events and
lively parades, when the Igue (Ewere) Festival
takes place to mark the beginning of the
seasonal yam harvest.
NIGERIA CALENDAR OF FESTIVALS AND
EVENTS


JANUARY
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - a
fireworks display is held at Lagos, along the
riverfront. New Year's Day is a public
holiday throughout the country


FEBRUARY
Eyo Festival - held on Lagos Island, at the Palace
of the Oba. Part of an elaborate burial rite, this
involves Eyo masquerades dressed in white
gowns and specially coloured hats to denote
their distinct group. Cultural performances are
also held


MARCH
Argungu Fishing Festival - taking place in Kebbi
State town, near Sokoto. This fishing fest is
long standing - the first one was held in 1934.
The Argungu involves literally thousands of
men and boys dashing into the local river
intent on scooping up the largest fish in the
river, the Nile perch. The fish are protected
specially for this event. Canoe and other river-
based events are now also held at this time


APRIL
Ivbamen Festival - an initiation ceremony for
boys, held in Ozalla each year
Abuja International Motor Fair - held at Eagle
Square in Abuja, this is something of a
showcase for the latest in the car and truck
worlds
Lagos Carnival - this carnival is a fairly recent
addition to the Nigerian calendar. It features
dancers in costumes, as well as brightly
coloured floats, which parade around Lagos
Island



MAY
Worker's Day - May 1st, a Nigerian public
holiday
Nigeria International Book Fair - staged at the
University of Lagos to showcase books by local
and international authors. This popular book
fair is open to the general public
Children's Day - May 27th, a public holiday with
many family friendly activities taking place
Democracy Day - May 29th, another Nigerian
public holiday



JUNE
June 12 Commemoration - June 12th,
celebrations are held in Lagos State in order to
remember the annulment of the presidential
election in 1993


JULY
No significant events held at present



AUGUST
Oshun Festival - the Yoruba water spirit for love
and marriage, known as Oshun, is worshipped
each August at this traditional gathering held in
Oshogbo. Offerings are made to Oshun and
visitors can enjoy dance performances
Kano Durbar - held at the end of Ramadan each
year in the city of Kano, usually towards the
end of August or during September. This is a
massive celebration, with cavalry parades,
drumming, singing and dancing, with the
procession leading all the way to the Emir's
Palace



SEPTEMBER
Durbar Festival - a Muslim celebration involving
horsemen and emirs




OCTOBER
Independence Day / National Day - October 1st,
the country gained independence from Britain
on this day in 1960. Independence Day
celebrations take place all over the country,
with the main festivities being held in the
capital city of Abuja
Abuja International Film and Video Festival - a
showcase for the very best of cinema in
Nigeria, locally known as 'Nollywood'
Lagos Photo - October / November, an annual
photography event held to showcase the work
of top local and international artists




NOVEMBER
Iko Festival - held between November and
February in Ihievbe, the Iko is an initiation
ceremony for local girls
Muson Festival - a popular arts fest held at the
Muson Centre in Lagos. The programme of
events includes a choral concert and jazz
evening
Eko International Film Festival - six day event
held in Lagos and aimed at boosting the
Nigerian film industry. Filmmakers from all
over the world now attend this event
Obudu Mountain Race - a mountain running
event that's widely regarded as the most
challenging in the world. Held around the
Obudu Mountain Resort, competitors run to an
altitude of 1,575 metres / 5,167 feet



DECEMBER
Ukpe Festival - December to January, an annual
ritual held in Ewossa, Ewohimi, Ewatto, Ebelle
and Ogwa, to pray for prosperity. The Ukpe Fest
extends right through to January
Igue (Ewere) Festival - held during the first half
of December in Benin City. Visitors can expect
much costumed dancing, battle recreations and
a parade leading to Oba's Palace. This festivity
is staged to celebrate the seasonal yam harvest
Nwaotam Festival - held in Port Harcourt on
December 25th each year
Oki Festival - a social celebration staged in
Rivers State, where traditional dancers dress up
and perform as fish, including the sword shark



MTV Africa Music Awards - annual awards for
Africa's popular music artists
Christmas Day / Boxing Day - December 25th /
26th, these dates are national holidays with
much Yuletide festivity aimed at all ages




Source:- http://www.world-guides.com/africa/west-africa/nigeria/nigeria_events.html

Pls add Calabar festival and Carnival Calabar to the december list.

Nairaland Festival....Held every day,seconds,minutes,hour,weeks,and years...untill Jesus come...Host na Mr Seun Osewa.