The Edo State government has announced plans to position the state as Nigeria’s leading cultural tourism destination with the launch of the 2026 Edo Carnival, scheduled to take place in Benin City from 13 to 26 December.
Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter‑Ministerial Planning Committee for the carnival, Mr. Emmanuel Okoebor, told reporters in Lagos that the event will “build a carnival that belongs to the people, reflects the soul of Edo, welcomes the world and leaves a lasting economic, cultural and social impact.” He added that the carnival would be a platform to showcase Edo’s heritage, preserve its traditions and promote Benin City as a premier tourism destination in Nigeria and Africa.
More than 10,000 people from Nigeria and the diaspora are expected to attend, with the carnival village to be set up at Garrick Memorial on Ekehuan Road. The 13‑day festival will offer opportunities for musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, dancers, visual artists and culinary professionals, and is aimed at generating business for tourism, hospitality, transportation, accommodation, food, fashion and retail sectors.
Activities slated for the 2026 edition include a trade fair and exhibition, medical outreach, orphanage visitation, jean festival, pool party, food festival, bikers’ carnival, talent hunt, cultural carnival, fashion show, music concert, beauty pageant, parade, band competition and an arts and crafts exhibition.
Peak Rendezvous Entertainment Global Limited’s technical partner, Jacqueline Udoh, said the 2026 carnival would be larger than the previous edition, which attracted about 1,000 participants. “Edo Carnival 2026 seeks to create a world‑class platform where culture meets creativity, entertainment meets tourism, and tradition meets innovation,” she added.
Secretary of the planning committee, Iryn Omorogiuwa, said the carnival would promote Edo’s culture and creativity by connecting its past, present and future, while the state hopes to attract visitors, brands, investors and partners from Nigeria and abroad.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
