The Afrobeats superstar will open the 2026 festival on December 18, with an expanded two-stage program bringing major artists, emerging talent and cultural experiences to Lagos.
Lagos, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Wizkid is heading home for Detty December.
The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar will headline the opening night of Detty December Fest 2026, kicking off a 13-day celebration of music, nightlife, culture and entertainment in Lagos this December.
Wizkid will take the stage for the festival’s Grand Opening Concert on December 18, becoming the first confirmed headliner for this year’s edition. Organizers say additional artists and performers will be announced in the coming months.
Running from December 18 to 30, Detty December Fest returns after drawing more than 40,000 attendees during its debut edition, as Lagos continues to establish its December festivities as one of Africa’s biggest end-of-year cultural attractions.
Wizkid Returns to Lagos for Detty December Fest 2026
For Wizkid, the opening-night performance represents a return to the city where his journey from Nigerian music sensation to global Afrobeats superstar began.
His addition gives the festival an immediate marquee name as organizers prepare for an expanded second edition.
Wizkid has become one of Africa’s most internationally recognized musicians, helping propel Afrobeats onto global charts, stages and award platforms.
His Lagos performance is expected to be one of the major attractions of the city’s 2026 Detty December season, which draws Nigerians, international tourists and members of the African diaspora each year.
Detty December Fest Expands to Two Stages
The 2026 Detty December Fest will introduce an expanded two-stage format designed to offer programming throughout its nearly two-week run.
The Detty Festival Stage will host the festival’s major concerts and headline performances, while the Detty Pulse Stage will focus on daily nightlife, cultural programming and performances from emerging African artists.
Organizers are expected to announce additional headliners and performers as December approaches.
Beyond live music, the festival will feature aerial shows, DJ-led nights, food and lifestyle activations, immersive brand experiences, pop-up markets and family attractions.
The program will also include a Christmas Grotto, Gen Z Republik and showcases for emerging talent, broadening the festival beyond its headline concerts.
Festival Builds on 40,000-Strong Debut
Detty December Fest launched last year with a lineup combining African and international music stars.
More than 40,000 people reportedly attended the inaugural festival, which featured performances from Busta Rhymes, Gunna, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Diamond Platnumz, Juma Jux, Wande Coal, Phyno and Young Jonn.
The event’s return reflects the growing scale of Lagos’ December entertainment industry and the competition among festivals, concerts and nightlife experiences for visitors during the festive season.
Lagos’ Detty December Becomes Major Economic Driver
Beyond entertainment, Detty December in Lagos has developed into an increasingly significant economic period for Nigeria’s commercial capital.
According to the MO Africa Company report The Economics of Euphoria: Lagos’ Detty December 2025, the 2025 festive season generated an estimated ₦396.5 billion in consumer spending across Lagos while attracting millions of visitors from Nigeria and the diaspora.
The influx fuels spending across hotels, restaurants, nightlife, transportation, fashion, tourism and entertainment, turning the December season into a major economic opportunity for businesses across the city.
Its growing scale has also attracted federal attention. The Nigerian government has established a Presidential Task Force to coordinate aviation, tourism, security, electricity and other services during the busy period.
Detty December Fest Positions Lagos as Africa’s December Destination
Often described as “Africa’s Real Summer,” Lagos’ Detty December season has grown into a cultural homecoming for Africans across the continent and diaspora.
Detty December Fest is positioning itself at the center of that movement, combining established global stars with emerging African talent, nightlife, food, culture and immersive experiences.
With Wizkid opening Detty December Fest 2026 on December 18, organizers have now revealed the first major name in what is expected to become an increasingly packed Lagos holiday calendar.
And for one of Afrobeats’ biggest global stars, the festival will begin exactly where his story did — Lagos.
