December 1-14: the build
The first two weeks of December are the ramp. Diaspora Nigerians start arriving from London, Atlanta, Houston and Toronto. Hotels are half-full by December 5th, three-quarters by December 12th. Rates at Radisson Blu Anchorage sit at ₦220,000-260,000, up from ₦160,000 in November. Boutique hotels in Ikate and Lekki Phase 1 charge ₦180,000-220,000. Restaurants take reservations only. The Lagos Food Festival runs on one of these weekends, usually the second, at Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island.
This is the last window where you can still experience December energy without total chaos. Traffic on Admiralty Way is heavy but moves. Boat cruises to Ilashe run daily and still have Saturday spots if you book three days ahead. Beach clubs like La Veranda and Inagbe are open and lively but not oversold.
December 15-31: the peak
From December 15th everything doubles. Rates at Eko Hotel hit ₦300,000-380,000. The Wheatbaker in Ikoyi sells out at ₦380,000. Airbnb apartments in Lekki Phase 1 that cost ₦60,000 in July now cost ₦200,000. Concerts stack up — Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy and Asake all typically play Lagos shows in this stretch, at Eko Convention Centre, Landmark, or the Balmoral Convention Centre. Ticket prices run ₦50,000-500,000 depending on artist and section.
Boat cruises book out a week ahead. Restaurants require deposits. The Lekki-Epe Expressway can take 3 hours to cross at 6pm. New Year's Eve parties at Cubana, Quilox and Landmark charge ₦75,000-250,000 for entry. January 2nd everything crashes back down.
Good to know
When should I book December accommodation?+
By August at the latest for the December 20-31 window. Boutique hotels sell out first, chain hotels last.
Is December worth the prices?+
If you want the party energy, yes — nothing in West Africa matches it. If you want quiet beach days, come in February or November instead.