The Calabar Christmas Festival began in the early hours of December 1, 2013, with the lighting of the Xmas tree to herald the beginning of the month long festivities that have firmly established Cross River State as the tourism capital of Nigeria.
Information available to calitown.com reveals that this year’s edition of the festival will feature talent shows, cultural dances, DJ competition as well as an essay competition. Additionally, there will be novelty football matches, food exhibition by individuals, a golf tournament, motorbike exhibition, a masked fete, a concert celebrating Nigeria’s best rap artistes and appearances by the Belja Flor Carnival band from Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago steel band, Rwandan dance troupe alongside the five competing carnival bands.
Billed to thrill music fans throughout the festival is an assemblage of Nigeria’s top draw artistes; P-Square, D’banj, Wizkid, Tuface, homeboy Iyanya, Davido, M.I, Omawunmi, Banky W, Olamide, Ice Prince, Ajuju, Sunny Neji, Vector, J. Martins and a whole lot of others.
The commencement of the festival which also coincided with the December 1 celebration of the World AIDS Day, saw government officials and city residents undertake a walk around the city to raise HIV/AIDS awareness levels as well as funds for charity.
