Nigeria in December

Detty December in Lagos and the Calabar Carnival: book flights and hotels months ahead.

• Lagos and the south-west coast · Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadanbest weather

  Two rainy peaks (June, then September–October) with a short dry break in August; floods in Lagos after heavy storms.

• South-east and Cross River · Calabar, Obudu, Port Harcourtbest weather

  One of the wettest parts of West Africa; Obudu plateau is cool all year.

• Middle Belt · Abuja, Jossmoke haze

  Rains May–October; Harmattan dust Dec–Feb; Jos is cooler at 1,200 m.

• Sahel north · Kano, Sokoto, Maidugurismoke haze

  Short rains Jun–Sep and 40 °C+ heat Mar–May; much of the north is under travel advisories — check.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Calabar Carnival and Detty December big impact

  Dec

  Street parades in Calabar; concerts and parties in Lagos; flights sell out.

• Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

  25–26 Dec

  Mass travel to home towns; roads jammed.

Crowds · Nigeria

High

Prices · Nigeria

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Lagos and the south-west coast

  Best weather of the year (Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan)

• South-east and Cross River

  Best weather of the year (Calabar, Obudu, Port Harcourt)