Bayside Royalty, the reality television show organised by Bayside Band, one of the pioneering bands of Carnival Calabar, is set to return for its third season, with 20 contestants competing for the titles of Bayside King and Queen.

The four-week competition, which will feature artistic activities, cultural experiences and personal development programmes, is designed to introduce young talents to the creative industries associated with Carnival Calabar.

The new season will begin with an unveiling gala on November 6, 2026, and culminate in a grand finale on December 4. The winners will subsequently lead Bayside Band during the Carnival Calabar parade on December 28.

More than two decades after Carnival Calabar was introduced in 2004 as part of efforts to position Cross River State as a leading tourism and cultural entertainment destination, the festival has grown into one of Nigeria’s most recognisable cultural celebrations.

Established under the administration of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, the carnival brought together music, dance, fashion, elaborate costumes and theatrical performances to promote the state’s tourism potential. His wife, former First Lady, Mrs. Onari Duke, also played a role in shaping the festival’s early development.

Today, the cultural legacy of the carnival continues to inspire initiatives aimed at providing opportunities for emerging talents. One such initiative is Bayside Royalty, which combines reality television, pageantry and creative development.

With Mrs. Onari Duke serving as Executive Producer, the programme seeks to extend Bayside Band’s longstanding cultural and entertainment identity by exposing young people to the creative processes behind major cultural productions.

During the four-week competition, participants will receive practical exposure to carnival theme interpretation, clothing design, costume crafting, prop making, music production, dance choreography, effects makeup and stage lighting.

The activities are expected to familiarise contestants with the technical skills, artistic imagination and teamwork required to translate creative concepts into large-scale cultural performances.

The programme will also provide opportunities for interactions with established personalities and professionals in tourism, entertainment, fashion, cultural leadership and the events industry.

According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to broaden participants’ understanding of career opportunities within Nigeria’s creative economy, particularly in areas beyond performing and entertainment.

Beyond the competition, Bayside Royalty also seeks to connect Carnival Calabar’s cultural traditions with contemporary storytelling and digital audience engagement. Through reality television and other media platforms, participants can showcase their abilities, build public profiles and reach audiences beyond the carnival grounds.

The third season comes as Cross River State prepares for Carnival Calabar 2026, which is themed “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny.” The theme focuses on shared identity, collective progress and the role of creativity, collaboration and cultural development in shaping the future.

Season 3 will feature a total cash prize of ₦7 million. The Bayside King and Queen will each receive ₦2 million, while the five finalists with the highest votes will share a team prize of ₦500,000.

The Most Creative and Most Social contestants will each receive ₦250,000, while all 20 participants will be awarded ₦100,000 each.

The selection process was scheduled to include auditions on October 30, following the closure of registration on October 28.

The winners will assume leadership roles within Bayside Band during the December 28 carnival parade, providing an opportunity to translate their experiences on the reality show into participation in one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural tourism events.

More than 20 years after its introduction, Carnival Calabar remains a platform for cultural expression, tourism promotion and artistic enterprise. Through Bayside Royalty, organisers are seeking to involve a new generation in the creative activities that sustain the festival and contribute to its continuing evolution.