116 events across 9 regions, from 1 December to 5 January. Last checked 23 October.
See what’s on, day by day ↓December is Ghana’s busiest month for things to do. Christmas, end-of-year concerts, street carnivals, food markets, plays and traditional festivals all fall in a few weeks, and many Ghanaians who live abroad come home for them, along with visitors from across the African diaspora.1
The government runs the season as December in GH, through the Ghana Tourism Authority. This year it runs from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 under the theme “Ghana to the World”, with more than 150 events registered, over 100 of them in Accra.2, 3 Many people call it Detty December; the government prefers its own name.4
The season grew after Ghana’s 2019 Year of Return, which marked 400 years since enslaved Africans were first brought to North America.1 Below are the events we’ve listed so far, in date order, with what to expect at each.
116 events in date order. Running an event we’ve missed? Tell us.
Also in DecemberFiok · Sandema, Upper EastKwafie · Dormaa Ahenkro, Berekum and Nsoatre, BonoMore on the festivals page
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Event · Greater Accra
Run by the Howard University Alumni Association, Crescendo Foods and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Bring books by African and diaspora authors, in English, French or a Ghanaian language, for children aged 6 to 15; cookbooks go to Crescendo Foods.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Bands take turns on stage every night of December. Book a table by phone (numbers on the listing).
Festival · Western
Organised by Empire 102.7 FM and running from 4 to 25 December. It ends with the Oil City Carnival on Christmas Day, a street parade of masquerade groups.
Music & nights out
The violinist Camden Stewart, Classic FM Rising Star 2026, brings his classical crossover tour to Ghana as a celebration of ancestry and homecoming. Venues are listed as ballrooms and open-air spaces.
Event · Greater Accra
Ghana’s places, culture, history and nature turned into games for families, through the holidays.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Afrofuture’s club for the season: in their words, not just a place to eat or dance but a place to belong.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A run of parties through the holidays, from the season opener on 20 December into the New Year.
A photo of Labadi Beach from above, not of the parties.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A run of plays by Uncle Ebo Whyte at the National Theatre over Christmas and the New Year.
Photos of the venue.
Festival · Greater Accra
Wɔ Nɔ Nɛ means “this is our own” in Ga. Artists paint North Kaneshie and the streets around it, and traders set up along the way: a homecoming for the neighbourhood.
Stage, art & talks
Two days of artisans, heritage and community, led by Arhin Sole Creations with Eclectic Love and Nunyola Impact Consulting.
Food & markets · Eastern
A day for farmers, for Africa’s food and for its many cultures. The organisers expect about 2,500 people.
Event
A celebration of Ghana’s fabrics, clothes, food, drumming and dance. The listing gives few other details, so check before you travel.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Gallerie Saok marks its second anniversary with a special exhibition: “Ebien” means two.
Stage, art & talks · Central
Talks and conversations about the future of Cape Coast and who gets to shape it, with creative thinkers and entrepreneurs.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
Ghanaian makers show and sell food, drinks, clothing, accessories, fabrics and crafts.
Photos of the venue.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Dances from the north, middle and south of Ghana, chosen and performed by the National Dance Company (the Ghana Dance Ensemble), with movement as a language of its own.
Food & markets · Northern
The eighth edition of a food and culture festival built around northern Ghana’s guinea fowl, from the farm to the plate.
Festival · Greater Accra
Two days honouring the historical, cultural and spiritual links between Ghana and Jamaica, with people from both countries.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
A Pan-African event for fitness, wellness, bodybuilding, strength sport and healthy living, spread over three venues in Accra.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
Three days at Site 14 Square, Community 1: food vendors, caterers and chefs, with lifestyle stalls and entertainment.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
An Accra night of African electronic dance music: Afrohouse, Afrotech, Azonto, Asorkpor, Amapiano and Gqom.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Ama Ata Aidoo’s play about the gaps and emotions between Africa and its diaspora, staged by Abibigromma, the National Drama Company.
Music & nights out · Volta
A concert of the Volta Region’s music and new talent, back after last year’s edition. When we checked, the venue (Jubilee Park or the HTU Auditorium) was still being agreed.
Stage, art & talks
An evening exploring America through the eyes of the civil rights lawyer Ben Crump. The venue was still tentative when we checked.
Festival · Northern
Led by northern Ghana’s traditional authorities: the north’s culture and heritage on show, alongside investment opportunities for investors and the diaspora.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A yearly international film festival for African and global cinema, bringing filmmakers, producers, distributors and investors together for screenings and an awards night.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
Teams from eight countries play tough games, with live music and fashion around the court.
A basketball court in Accra, not the festival’s court at the University of Ghana.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
The National Symphony Orchestra blends classical technique with highlife, hiplife, choral melodies and modern beats.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A three-day family festival by AMPLE House: Ghanaian stories through books, theatre, food, fashion, art and heritage.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Meraki Arts Africa’s yearly festival of film, dance, drama, storytelling and exhibitions. This year’s theme is “Echoes of Remembrance”.
Traditional festival · Volta
The grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the Battor Traditional Area, the high point of Hogbeza. The festival itself runs from 28 November to 16 December.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
A three-course meal with dessert and two drinks while the guests work out whodunnit.
Event · Western
A charity festival for children aged 5 to 15 by PM Entertainment Consult and PM Foundation, now in its ninth year. Everything at the event is free.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
The second edition, now in a stadium: fufu, food, culture and music.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Billed as the only headline show of the season built around a female artist on her own terms, with the site turned into a world drawn from her new album.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
Ghanaian makers show and sell food, drinks, clothing, accessories, fabrics and crafts.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
One of Ghana’s main media awards, for the people and organisations shaping Ghanaian radio and television.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
A whole day of snooker and pool at the Borteyman Sports Complex, open to players of every level.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
Hosted by Kukuwa Fitness and Republic Bar & Grill: an Afrobeats workout that turns into a block party for locals, the diaspora and visitors.
Festival · Eastern
The free, community side of the Abibitumi Conference on the Construction of Black Civilization, held over the same two days at Abibitumi Headquarters.
Event · Greater Accra
Two days on African hair, beauty and identity, with beauty and wellness brands, makers and creatives.
Food & markets
Plant-based food and wellness from across the country, with exhibitions and performances. The venue was still to be confirmed when we checked.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Artopiia, a creative space in East Legon, marks its anniversary with art and tech from its creatives.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
GonaBoy’s official headline concert, celebrating his music so far.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Michelle McKinney Hammond and Relevance tell the Christmas story in rock.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A yearly arts festival for families and children aged 4 to 15, with primary and junior high schools performing.
Festival · Greater Accra
A festival for the creative arts and for young people in business, with a platform to show their crafts and services.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A week across the city: exhibitions, pop-ups, talks, performances, screenings, workshops and tours of galleries and studios.
From Afrogallonism, an art exhibition in Accra in 2023, not from Art Week itself.
Traditional festival · Upper East
Feok (Fiok) marks the Builsa victory over slave raiders. This year’s homecoming brings people back to Sandema for it.
Feok is Fiok, the Builsa festival on our festivals page. Photos from Fiok in Sandema. Fiok on GhanaNice →
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Kweku Smoke’s yearly headline show, celebrating hip-hop, Afrobeats and young city culture.
Festival · Western
The official opening of the Takoradi Masquerade Festival (Taadi Fancy). Its first edition brought together more than 40 masquerade clubs.
Photos from the Takoradi Masquerade Festival, which UNMASK360 opens, on 26 December 2022.
Festival · Northern
Organised by Mo Tribe and ZGL Solutions, bringing northern Ghana’s traditional areas together for culture, tourism, fashion, trade and investment. The organisers’ own text gives 17 to 20 December.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
An official December in GH comedy night by 360 Bookings Afrika, for local and visiting audiences.
Music & nights out · Eastern
A night of entertainment celebrating the culture, lifestyle and creativity of Koforidua and the Eastern Region.
Festival · Greater Accra
Music, dance, food, fashion, art and traditional games: a day to reconnect with Ghanaian culture.
Event · Central
An environmental and creative day for all ages, inside the grounds of Graceland Academy School.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
Ghanaian and diaspora food businesses, cooks and creatives in one place.
Festival · Greater Accra
The flavours, rhythms and traditions Ghana shares with the Caribbean.
Festival · Greater Accra
Business and culture between Ghana and the Caribbean, with entrepreneurs and investors.
Stage, art & talks · Western
Ghanaian and visiting artists celebrate graffiti, street art and city culture in the Western Region.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A stage show celebrating highlife through music, storytelling and dance.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Classic Ananse stories told with cartoons, animation, folk music and live performance.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Started in Ghana in 2023 and built around R&B: music, food, fashion and hospitality over two days.
Music & nights out
Bisa Kdei’s live highlife show, celebrating his music so far.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Billed as Ghana’s December homecoming: one night at the University of Ghana stadium, headlined by Black Sherif.
Black Sherif, who headlines, at the 3Music Awards in 2022.
Festival · Greater Accra
Seven days of Christmas for families, opposite the Legon stadium.
Traditional festival · Eastern
Sons and daughters of Betom living around the world come home to reconnect with their roots.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A group exhibition by Nsuo ne Nsa and Jane Can Do, rooted in the custom of pouring a drink for the ancestors before drinking yourself.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A live music show built to bring listeners off their screens and into the room. The listing gives few other details.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Stonebwoy’s yearly music, culture and entertainment festival, which he founded and headlines.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Kojo Antwi has organised and headlined this Christmas Eve concert for more than 30 years.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
Pro Basketball Academy’s charity game: Team Ghana against Team World.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Reggae on Christmas Eve, hosted by Reggae Court Empire.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Samini’s yearly concert is free this year, with community activities beforehand as he gives back to Dansoman.
Music & nights out · Central
A Christmas Eve jam in Cape Coast, with music and entertainment.
Festival · Greater Accra
Endorsed for December in GH 2026 by the Ghana Tourism Authority and Black Star Experience: three days of culture at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre.
Festival · Greater Accra
The Russia community of Gbortsui, Ablekuma Central, hosts a street festival over the holidays.
Festival · Western
Founded in 2003 by Wilsad Support and listed by the Ghana Tourism Authority, it draws 250,000 to 300,000 people a year.
A photo from Takoradi’s Christmas masquerade in 2022, not from the carnival itself.
Sport & fitness · Greater Accra
A basketball tournament and music by day, building into a party by night.
Festival · Greater Accra
Organised by Havilah Empire Ghana: masquerade parades that bring Tema’s communities together.
Festival · Greater Accra
Music, food, fashion, creative arts and local business on the streets of Lapaz.
Traditional festival · Eastern
A yearly traditional festival honouring the river goddesses and deities of Akim Achiase.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Billed as Africa’s biggest cultural night: theatre, art and music about the change Africa needs.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Ghana’s Boxing Day comedy and live music night, with more than 30 editions behind it.
Event · Greater Accra
A guided night tour aboard Auntie Dedei, the GTA’s double-decker bus, with stories about the city after dark.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
A fashion and lifestyle party for designers, creatives and people who love clothes.
Event · Greater Accra
Cleaning the beach and planting coconut trees, with music and dance.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Old-school music for the diaspora and locals, with three DJs, a band and vendors: the line-dance edition.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
The yearly gospel concert of Joyful Way Incorporated.
Music & nights out · Eastern
The tenth edition of the all-white party, at Little Acre Hotel in Aburi.
Music & nights out · Western
A music night for the 70s and 80s.
Food & markets · Volta
Ghanaian food, art, music and storytelling at Page Se7en Hub in Ho.
Stage, art & talks · Central
Inclusive, immersive theatre in an outdoor green space.
Stage, art & talks · Upper East
An endorsed December in GH showcase of northern Ghanaian art, basketry and crafts, at the Bolgatanga Craft Village.
Photos of basket makers and sellers in Bolgatanga.
Festival
A festive-season celebration of the culture and heritage of the Upper West Region.
Music & nights out
A full day of DJs, artists, dancers and performers on the beach.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
After seven editions at known venues, this year’s Detty Rave is somewhere in Accra that isn’t announced.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
An intimate concert with big staging, cinematic intros and immersive lighting.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A platform celebrating the culture and work of the diaspora through festivals and live performances. Until 2023 it was called Afrochella.
Until 2023 the festival was called Afrochella; these photos are from 2019.
Food & markets · Greater Accra
The second Accra edition of the all-white outdoor dinner.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A throwback party: hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000s to now, back to back.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
“The Jams Edition”, the third: free entertainment for senior high school and university students, by High School Hype TV.
Festival · Ashanti
A five-day platform for culture, business, tourism, investment, fashion and entertainment, proposed for Kumasi over Christmas and the New Year.
Stage, art & talks · Northern
A comedy: a prophecy, a lavish wedding, a mountain of debt and one very angry husband.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
Ghana’s culture, arts and creativity by young people for young people, with mentoring and a stage of their own.
Music & nights out
A day party for Divine Nine and HBCU alumni, their friends and the diaspora.
Music & nights out
Seeing in 2027 at Rehab Beach Club.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Afrofuture and Positive Vibes Only see in the new year with music.
Festival · Western
Cultural displays, music, masquerades and a street procession for residents and visitors.
Music & nights out · Upper East
The Upper East Region’s official New Year rave: music, fashion and nightlife.
Festival · Bono
The fourth DumaFest, on the theme “Our Culture, Our Identity”.
Event · Greater Accra
The season’s closing Impact Day: a day restoring a river lagoon to welcome the new year.
Stage, art & talks · Greater Accra
“Bus Stop Wahala” by Agape Arts Production, played out inside a bus. Wahala is West African slang for trouble.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A weekend getaway of music and lifestyle, hosted by D-Black.
The Volta estuary, where the river meets the sea at Ada.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
A rave for students, young professionals, creatives and the diaspora coming home.
Music & nights out · Greater Accra
Blacvolta’s end-of-year party, for creatives and young professionals.
A popular name for the end-of-year party season in Ghana and Nigeria. “Detty” is pidgin for “dirty”, used here to mean carefree fun. The Ghanaian government does not use the name: its season is called December in GH.1, 4
From 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. The Ghana Tourism Authority launched this year’s calendar on 20 October 2026 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.2
Concerts and parties, street carnivals and masquerades, food markets, plays, art weeks, sport, and traditional festivals such as Fiok in Sandema and Kwafie in the Bono Region. Our list on this page has 116 events in date order.
No. Most events are in Accra, but this season’s list also has events in Takoradi, Tamale, Ho, Koforidua, Bolgatanga, Sandema, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Sunyani.
In 2026: Friday 4 December (Farmers’ Day, always the first Friday of December), Friday 25 December (Christmas Day) and Saturday 26 December (Boxing Day). New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is also a public holiday.5, 6
It is harmattan season, when a dry, dusty wind can blow from November to March. Visibility can drop, especially early in the morning, and the dust can set off asthma, so carry water and something warm for early starts.7
For most concerts and parties, yes. Some events are free, and our cards say so where the organisers do. For tickets and the latest details, use the December in GH listing credited at the end of this page.
Source Every event here comes from the December in GH listing, which has tickets, contacts and the latest details. We read it on 23 October 2026: names, dates and venues are theirs, the words on the cards are ours. Plans change, so check before you travel.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons and Unsplash: Labadi Beach from above by Etornam Ahiator (Unsplash License), The National Theatre, Accra by Amuzujoe (CC BY-SA 4.0), The theatre from the road by David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada (CC BY 2.0), Nkrumah’s statue in the park by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), The pools and the mausoleum by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), The relief wall by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), A court among the palms, Accra by Kingsley Hemans (Unsplash License), Afrogallonism, Accra, 2023 by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), Warriors in horned headdresses by Christian Yakubu (CC BY-SA 4.0), The war dance by Christian Yakubu (CC BY-SA 4.0), A horned headdress by Christian Yakubu (CC BY-SA 4.0), The masquerade on the streets of Takoradi by Robertjamal12 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Masks and costumes by Robertjamal12 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Two masqueraders by Robertjamal12 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Black Sherif at the 3Music Awards by SabtiyaMbappe (CC BY-SA 4.0), With his award, 2022 by Owula kpakpo (CC BY-SA 4.0), Masqueraders in Takoradi, 26 December 2022 by Robertjamal12 (CC BY-SA 4.0), At the Bolgatanga craft market by Tahiru Rajab (CC BY-SA 4.0), Weaving a basket by Alhassan Peter (CC BY-SA 4.0), Baskets for sale by the road, 2010 by Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0), Kente on the festival grounds, 2019 by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), The golden throne, 2019 by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), The letters at night, 2019 by Fquasie (CC BY-SA 4.0), The Volta estuary by Reginald Agyei (Unsplash License). Full credits on the photo credits page.
