10/11/2015
The Calabar Festival is undeniably the biggest multi-dimensional, multi-faceted tourism leisure and entertainment programme in West Africa. Started in 2004 by the past governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke. Thirty-two days of exhilarating events, colourful activities and unprecedented yearly participation by close to a million people from all over the world. This jolly season has grown in popularity, scope and participation year in year out. Today, it is undoubtedly Nigeria’s strongest tourism brand.
The Cross River State Government has employed this Festival/Carnival over the past years to drive its tourism efforts and provide exposure for its vast tourism sites and infrastructures such as the Obudu cattle Ranch Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort, Marina Resort, amongst other .The Festival starts with the Tree-Lighting ceremony on the 30th of November at the Millennium Park Calabar and culminates in the Thanksgiving Ceremony on 1st January of the succeeding year. In between, there are musical concerts which have featured renowned national and international artistes like Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Akon, Kirk Franklin, Fat Joe, D banj etc have all at one time or the other graced the Festival with their rhythms and lyrics. There are also awareness campaigns and seminars on contemporary issues of global concerns, children Christmas Camp, Theatre performances, vocational trainings for youth, Fashion and Food Fairs, a weekend at the Obudu Ranch Resort to celebrate Africa, and so many other side attractions. Of course there is a two-day Carnival Calabar to spice up the season. There is also the Christmas Village, which is a melting point for fun seekers. All roads lead to the beautiful city of Calabar from November 30th-31st Dec. Join Merry Go Round as we participate in this year’s exhilarating celebration of culture, music, dance, fashion etc.
