By Ayinde Victoria

As the calendar flips to December, the streets glow brighter, music blares louder, and spending spikes. You can almost smell Christmas in the air. In Nigeria, December is the biggest season of celebration. From concerts and club nights to owambes and impromptu trips, many Nigerians—especially young people—embrace the end-of-year with energy, excitement and, sometimes, excess.

Over the years, this festive frenzy has taken on a name: Detty December.

Common across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, Detty December refers to the wild, non-stop party season that runs from mid-December through the New Year. It is marked by concerts, festivals and social gatherings, as well as the return of members of the diaspora who come home to reconnect with family, culture and nightlife. For many, it is a time to let loose after a long year of work, school and economic pressure.

Though it feels like a recent phenomenon, Detty December has deeper roots. Its popular usage is often traced to 2016, when a printed concert flyer for Mr Eazi’s Life is Eazi show in Lagos carried the hashtag #DettyDecember, a nod to his song Detty Yasef. But further digging suggests the phrase was already in circulation years earlier. A Facebook account created in 2010 used the username “Detty December,” and by 2011, the account was posting about holiday events in Calabar. This suggests the term was already being used to describe end-of-year partying well before it entered mainstream pop culture.

In 2019, the phrase took a more formal turn when Livespot360—an entertainment company owned by Dare Art Alade and Deola Art Alade—officially registered “Detty December” as a trademark in Nigeria for entertainment and events services. By 2025, plans for a branded Detty December Fest have pushed the concept further into the national spotlight.

Afrobeats has played a central role in shaping Detty December into a major cultural moment. As Afrobeats artists gained international recognition, global audiences became curious about the places that produced the sound. December in Nigeria increasingly became a pilgrimage of sorts. Detty December Fest is now one of the key stages where Afrobeats stars perform during the season.

In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Detty December Fest 2025 is set to feature global and African stars including Bella Shmurda, Juma Jux and Busta Rhymes, among others. The month-long celebration will run from December 6 to December 31, 2025, across two major venues in Lagos: Ilubirin, Ikoyi (Bourdillon Road), and the Livespot Entertarium on Oba Elegushi Beach Road, Lekki.

Minister of Culture, Hannatu Musawa, outlined the goals of the partnership, which include showcasing Nigerian and African talent on a world-class stage and supporting small and medium-scale enterprises across the creative value chain. From vendors and production teams to fashion, food and hospitality businesses, she said the festival is designed to spread economic benefits beyond the stage.

She also noted that the government will work with relevant MDAs to improve safety, mobility and the overall visitor experience, ensuring that Nigerians, members of the diaspora and international guests can enjoy the festive season with confidence. According to her, the ministry will continue to serve as a thinking and planning hub for the creative economy, with Detty December Fest acting as “a platform where ideas become real opportunities, real jobs and real experiences.”

For young Nigerians, the season carries both excitement and pressure. In an online interview, a University of Ilorin student described Detty December as “a time of enjoyment, relaxation and fun after a long year, filled with parties and social activities.” Asked about the influence of social media on how she celebrates, she said it helps her discover trending events, inspires her fashion choices and, at times, pressures her to join in even when she had not planned to.

Another student admitted that while December is enjoyable, January can be tough. Asked how his spending during the festive season affects him afterward, he said he manages it by “having a fixed budget.”

While Detty December continues to bring joy, music and cultural pride, many Nigerians acknowledge the financial hangover that often follows in January. As the parties grow bigger and the lights shine brighter each year, the question remains: how can the fun be balanced with financial reality?