The Lagos Fanti Carnival is set to make a grand return on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, transforming the streets of Lagos Island into a dazzling celebration of Afro-Brazilian heritage and the rich cultural identity of Lagos. With a history tracing back to 1890, the event remains one of the city’s most enduring cultural legacies, blending history with vibrant contemporary expression.

This year’s edition, backed by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association, is poised to be a landmark moment for cultural tourism in Nigeria. Organisers say the event will attract thousands of guests from across the country and beyond, alongside a global digital audience expected to exceed two million impressions.

The carnival’s main attractions include the Afro-Brazilian Food Showcase, a Heritage Art Exhibition, and the highly anticipated Lagos Fanti Carnival Parade. These activities will spotlight the influence of Brazilian returnees on Lagos Island culture, particularly in architecture, music, cuisine, and fashion. The parade will be the centrepiece of the festivities, featuring colourful displays, samba-infused rhythms, elaborate costumes, and exuberant performances that channel both historical memory and creative energy.

Described as a “living canvas”, the streets of Lagos will come alive with bold hues, pulsating music, and community-driven showcases that reflect the spirit of Lagos Island. For many, the event is not only a cultural celebration but a reclamation of shared history and identity—bridging continents, generations, and artistic disciplines.

In a city where youth culture continues to redefine tradition, the Lagos Fanti Carnival has become a beacon of youth-led reinvention. Emerging dancers, musicians, designers, and performance artists are taking centre stage, reinterpreting Lagos’ heritage through modern aesthetics and fresh creative vision.

“This year’s carnival is more than a spectacle—it is a statement,” organisers said. “It is about young people reimagining culture, taking ownership of history, and expressing identity in bold and innovative ways.”

In the build-up to Easter Sunday, the organisers will offer an exclusive look behind the scenes. From community rehearsals and costume design workshops to grassroots planning meetings, audiences will be granted rare access to the meticulous preparation that precedes the public revelry.

The Lagos Fanti Carnival stands as a vivid testament to the enduring links between Nigeria and Brazil, as well as a powerful showcase of Lagos as a global city with deeply local roots. As anticipation builds, residents and visitors alike are gearing up for an unforgettable spectacle—one where history, art, and community spirit converge on the grandest of scales.