Calabar festival is tagged "AFRICA BIGGEST STREET PARTY".This was created to make Cross-river in Nigeria,the number one tourist center in the country and also a tourist center for people from all over the world. The carnival starts from the 1 december till the 31 december,this has help boost the heritage moosaic of Nigeria persons.
It all began way back as at 2004 when the then Governor of cross-river state,Nigeria,MR DONALD DUKE, who had a vision of making the state a hub for tourism and hospitality.
It is an annual,special and popular event that displays afican culture and heritage with music,drama, dressing ,dancing and other creativeness from talented persons.
This carnival is not only for the calabars and efik indigens but also for those who are lovers of culture and art. During the event various artist are featured both national and international from the likes of Lucky Dube, Fat Joe, Young Jezzy Kirk Franklin, Nelly, 2face idibia e.t.c.
The festival ushers in performances such as Beauty peagent, Fashion show, Traditional dances, Boat regatta, Christmas village and the annual Ekpe masquerade festivals.
The carnival has put Cross River state,Nigeria in the front-line of the country's tourism export trade.It has served not only for fun and relaxation but also to amplify more facets of localized heritage and culture. From the resplendent costumes to the dazzling dance moves, from the intoxicating musical atmosphere to the large array of funfare, not in any way forgetting the irresistible warmness of the indigens, the Calabar Carnival will guarantee you end your year in style!