The 2025 Calabar Carnival Brought the Year to a Colorful Close – Photos Still Capturing Hearts Online.
As we settle into 2026, many Nigerians are still talking about the dazzling spectacle that closed out last year: the 2025 Calabar Carnival in Cross River State. The annual festival, often called Africa’s biggest street party, was more special than ever in December, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a burst of color, music, and cultural pride that has since taken over social media feeds.
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This edition, themed “Traces of Time,” looked back on twenty years of the carnival’s journey while putting on a stunning show for the present. It was a true gathering of communities, with performance groups from across Nigeria and several other countries coming together to create an unforgettable experience.
The carnival’s final week was packed with events for everyone. It kicked off on December 26th with a Cultural Carnival, showcasing the unique traditional dances, attire, and music from all 36 states of Nigeria. The following day, the spotlight turned to the future as children and teenagers took center stage at the Junior Carnival, an effort to pass the cultural torch to the next generation.
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The much-anticipated Main Carnival Parade, originally set for a Sunday, was moved to Monday, December 29th, to allow everyone to participate. Seven brilliantly dressed bands—Diamond, Calas Vegas, Freedom, Bayside, Passion 4, Seagull, and Masta Blasta—brought the “Traces of Time” theme to life. They danced and paraded along a 12-kilometer route, their elaborate costumes telling stories of heritage and history.
The energy didn’t stop there. Later that same day, the roar of engines filled the air for the Bikers Carnival, followed by the massive Feather Concert. The concert saw a memorable moment when superstar Tiwa Savage, mid-performance, called out a dedicated fan and gifted him $1,000 to help his small business—a gesture that drew cheers from the massive crowd.
As the year wound down, the city of Calabar became one big party. Street celebrations and a magnificent fireworks display on New Year’s Eve provided a perfect, sparkling conclusion to the festivities.
The 2025 carnival’s impact went far beyond the parade route. Applications flooded in from 71 different embassies worldwide, reflecting its growing international appeal and bringing a wave of tourists to Cross River State. This influx provided a major lift for local hotels, restaurants, airlines, and vendors, reminding everyone of the powerful role culture plays in driving the economy and putting Nigerian tourism on the map.
Now, weeks later, vibrant photos and videos from the event continue to circulate online. Users are sharing their favourite shots of the dazzling bands and dynamic performances, celebrating the cultural diversity and pure joy the carnival represents. The 20th-anniversary edition of the Calabar Carnival wasn’t just a party; it was a powerful, living portrait of Nigerian spirit that closed 2025 on an extraordinarily high note.
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Enjoy the photos below:
The 2025 Calabar Carnival Brought the Year to a Colorful Close – Photos Still Capturing Hearts Online.
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