Carnival Calabar will return to the Cross River State capital in December, with its main carnival programme running from Dec. 26 to 30 under the theme “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny.”
The five-day programme forms part of a wider festival season beginning on Nov. 30 and continuing into the New Year.
Organisers say the 2026 edition will focus on cultural preservation, innovation, wider participation and expanding the carnival’s international reach.
This year’s carnival will introduce online public voting and digital streaming, allowing audiences to vote in the carnival band competition and follow events remotely.
The main programme will begin with the Cultural Carnival and Night of Kings and Queens on Dec. 26, followed by the Junior Carnival on Dec. 27 and the Parade of Bands on Dec. 28. The Bikers Carnival is scheduled for Dec. 29, with Nyoro Ekpe taking place on Dec. 30.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu said this year’s theme aimed to encourage discussion about how culture, tourism, and creativity could contribute to the state’s future development.
Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Commission, Gabe Onah, said the introduction of online voting aimed to give communities and audiences a greater role in the carnival.
He said organisers were also working with creative partners on films inspired by the carnival and digital platforms designed to reach audiences beyond Calabar.
Launched in 2004 under former Cross River State governor Donald Duke, Carnival Calabar features street parades, competitive carnival bands, music, dance, elaborate costumes and cultural performances.
