By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – We are happy to present to you the 2025 Carnival Calabar timetable packed with exciting events that will blow your mind.
Now in its 20th year, the Carnival Calabar, also known as Africa’s Biggest Street Party, began with the unveiling of the theme in May, and this year’s theme is ‘Traces of Time,’ according to Governor Bassey Otu.
The Festival is promised to be one of the best, infused with culture, innovation, and technology.
2025 Carnival Calabar timetable
14th May – Theme unveiling of the Carnival Calabar and Festival
26th June – Stakeholders roundtable
July (TBD) – Investors’ summit
3rd August – Carnival fitness jam
5th September – Issuance of Carnival Calabar Essay Competition forms
30th September – Carnival Calabar Essay Competition Exams
17th October – Essay Competition prize giving day
19th October – Carnival Calabar First Dry Run
16th November – Carnival Calabar Second Dry Run
7th December – Carnival Calabar Third and Final Dry Run
14th December – Carnival Calabar Junior (Children) Dry Run
26th December – Cultural Carnival
26th December – Night of King and Queens
27th December – Junior (Children) Carnival
28th December – Bikers’ Carnival
29th December – Carnival Calabar
30th December – Street Party
31st December – Fireworks Night
NOTE: Apart from Dry Run, Street Party and Fireworks Night, which start by 2pm and night, all other events from 19th October start by 10am.
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Note also that, apart from the Junior and Cultural Carnivals, which take half, all other events from 19th October, take the 12km Carnival route – from Eleven-Eleven (11-11) to Calabar Road by Total to Mary Slessor Roundabout to Rabana Roundabout to Effio-Ette Junction to Mobil by MCC to Stadium.
The Junior and Cultural Carnivals start from Eleven-Eleven (11-11) to Calabar Road by Total to Mary Slessor Roundabout to Rabana Roundabout to IBB to Stadium.
Note further that all the aforementioned routes would be closed and vehicular movements restricted during these events.
Alternative routes to take include Flour Mill by Essien Town to Diamond to Leopard Town (Governor’s Office) to Moore Road to Marina to Bayside to Watt to Calabar South.
Other alternative routes include Parliamentary Extension to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Bypass to Atimbo Roundabout to IBB to Etta-Agbor to Calabar South, from Municipality, and Ibok Street by Parliamentary to MCC by Timber to Akai Efa to Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Bypass.
Enjoy the best of Calabar and Cross River State this festive season.
TBD = To be decided
