Dubbed “Africa’s Real Summer,” Detty December Fest wrapped up a month-long run of music, culture, and spectacle at Ilubirin, Lagos, from December 7 to 29. With four major highlight days anchoring the experience, the festival culminated in a series of high-energy performances that brought global stars, top African talent, and hundreds of fans together, firmly positioning it as one of the continent’s most anticipated end-of-year cultural moments.
The 2025 edition was headlined by international acts Busta Rhymes and Gunna, alongside a heavyweight lineup of African stars including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, Diamond Platnumz, and many others who kept the energy consistently high across the month.
The tone was set from day one. On December 7, Detty December Fest opened with a striking visual spectacle featuring aerial ballerinas, immediately signalling that this wasn’t just another concert series. The opening night lineup leaned into both nostalgia and now, with standout performances from Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer, setting the pace for what followed.
Beyond the music, the festival also received institutional recognition. In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art and Culture, Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledged Detty December Fest as a meaningful contributor to Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem, citing its role in expanding the country’s global creative presence and driving end-of-year tourism into Lagos.
Reflecting on the festival’s reception, Deola Art Alade, Founder and Group CEO of Livespot360, spoke to the city’s growing appetite for large-scale live experiences:
“This year showed that the appetite for Detty December Fest is real. Ilubirin proved Lagos is ready for a world-class December experience, and this is only the beginning.”
Darey Art Alade, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, also shared insight into the thinking behind the festival’s direction:
“We set out to create a festival that feels true to Lagos—fresh, exciting, and rooted in the culture. The response from both artists and fans tells us we got it right.”
With its scale, ambition, and cultural impact, Detty December Fest 2025 didn’t just close the year on a high; it raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, reinforcing Detty December’s role as a major driver of culture, tourism, and economic activity in the city.
