Top Food Festivals in Nigeria You Should Attend

If you’ve ever thought food was just about eating to survive, Nigeria will quickly change your mind. Food here isn’t just sustenance—it’s a culture, a community, and honestly, a celebration.

From the smoky suya joints on a Friday night to steaming bowls of pepper soup during rainy days, Nigerians take their food seriously. And when you gather this love for food into a grand celebration, what do you get? You get some of the top food festivals in Nigeria that make both locals and tourists drool with excitement.

So, if you’re a foodie, or you just love traveling with your stomach as your compass, here’s a mouth-watering guide to the biggest and best food festivals in Nigeria you absolutely cannot afford to miss.

Why Food Festivals in Nigeria Are a Big Deal

Nigeria is a land of over 250 ethnic groups, each with its own unique food traditions. Imagine stepping into a place where you can taste northern tuwo shinkafa alongside Yoruba amala, and then wash it down with palm wine before moving on to Calabar’s famous afang soup. Food festivals here are more than just tasting plates—they are vibrant showcases of culture, music, and heritage.

Beyond the food, these festivals are about connection. You’ll find chefs, food vendors, farmers, nutritionists, tourists, and everyday lovers of good food coming together. In short, food festivals are where culture, commerce, and community meet, all flavored with Nigerian spice.

The Lagos Food and Drink Festival

We can’t talk about top food festivals in Nigeria without starting in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital and the undisputed food hub. The Lagos Food and Drink Festival, organized annually by GTCO (formerly GTBank), has become one of the most popular food events in Africa.

At this festival, you’ll find hundreds of food vendors, from big-name restaurants to local street food champions. Want to try gourmet jollof rice or craft cocktails made from zobo and hibiscus? You’ll get it here. Love pastries and desserts? Bakeries from all over Lagos showcase cakes, breads, and sugar art that could rival Paris patisseries.

But here’s the kicker—it’s not just about eating. There are also masterclasses where international chefs teach cooking techniques, workshops on food photography, and discussions about the business of food. So yes, you get to learn while eating.

Abuja Food Festival

If Lagos is the king of vibes, Abuja is the queen of class. The Abuja Food Festival is one of the capital city’s biggest lifestyle events, pulling crowds from within and outside Nigeria. The event celebrates food, drinks, art, and music all in one space, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.

Picture this: a sprawling ground with food tents lined up like a mini city, each one offering something different—grilled fish, suya, cocktails, traditional dishes, and continental meals. There are also games and performances to keep the energy going.

For tourists, the Abuja Food Festival is a great way to taste the diversity of Nigerian dishes in one place. You don’t have to travel to the east for abacha or to the south for afang; you’ll find them right there in Abuja.

Port Harcourt Food Festival

They say “PH people no dey carry last,” and when it comes to food festivals, they certainly don’t. The Port Harcourt Food Festival is a showcase of the rich culinary traditions of the Niger Delta region. Known for their spicy and flavorful dishes, this festival is where you’ll taste authentic bole (roasted plantain) with fish, seafood pepper soups, and delicacies made with fresh palm oil and periwinkles.

The festival usually features cooking competitions, live music, and exhibitions from local chefs. It’s not just food—it’s the culture of Rivers State on display, with masquerades, dance, and fashion shows. Tourists who want a real local experience will find PH food festivals unforgettable.

Nigerian Jollof Rice Festival

Nigeria and Jollof rice are like twins. You can’t separate one from the other. And of course, it deserves its own festival. The Jollof Rice Festival, usually held in Abuja and Lagos, is dedicated to celebrating this iconic dish that has caused many “jollof wars” across West Africa.

At this festival, you’ll find vendors offering their special takes on jollof rice. Some will stick to the classic smoky party jollof, while others will get experimental—think coconut jollof, seafood jollof, and even vegetarian jollof. Add the loud music, comedy skits, and food contests, and you’ve got yourself a festival that’s both tasty and fun.

And if you’ve ever wondered who really makes the best jollof rice in Nigeria, this is the place where those debates are settled… or at least argued about with full bellies.

EatDrink Festival Lagos

Another highlight in the Lagos culinary calendar is the EatDrink Festival, organized by EatDrink Lagos, a popular food and lifestyle platform. Unlike the corporate vibe of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival, EatDrink Festival has a younger, more urban, and laid-back feel.

Think of it as the food equivalent of a music festival. You buy a ticket, walk in, and spend the whole day hopping from one vendor to another, tasting meals, sipping cocktails, and snapping Instagram-worthy pictures. It’s hip, trendy, and designed for foodies who want more than just eating—they want the vibe too.

Calabar Food Festival

You can’t talk about top food festivals in Nigeria without Calabar making an appearance. Known as the “tourism capital of Nigeria,” Calabar is famous for its street food, spicy dishes, and seafood. The Calabar Food Festival often coincides with the Calabar Carnival, making December a double celebration of food and culture.

Here you’ll find afang, edikang ikong, ekpang nkukwo, and other Efik-Ibibio delicacies that have earned global recognition. The festival also highlights local drinks like palm wine and bushmeat grills, giving tourists a taste of authentic Cross River hospitality.

Suya and Barbecue Festivals

Nigeria is a suya-loving nation. From Lagos to Kano, suya spots are cultural landmarks. Naturally, there are festivals dedicated to this grilled meat delicacy. The Suya and Barbecue Festivals, often hosted in Lagos and Abuja, are a paradise for meat lovers.

You’ll find beef suya, chicken suya, ram suya, and even fish suya, served with yaji spice that will have you licking your fingers. Add barbecue ribs, burgers, and shawarma from local and international vendors, and you have yourself a meat lover’s heaven.

The African Food and Drinks Festival

Though not exclusive to Nigeria, the African Food and Drinks Festival often makes stops in Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abuja. It’s a unique chance to not only taste Nigerian dishes but also explore culinary delights from other African countries.

Here, you might sample Ethiopian injera, Ghanaian waakye, South African biltong, and of course, Nigerian dishes that hold their own on the international stage. It’s a cultural exchange served on a plate.

Street Food Festivals

Nigeria’s street food culture is unmatched. From puff-puff and akara to roasted corn and yam, these snacks form an essential part of daily life. Across cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Enugu, you’ll find Street Food Festivals that celebrate these everyday delights. They’re usually informal, community-based, and filled with music, dance, and lots of tasting plates.

For tourists, these festivals offer an authentic window into how Nigerians actually eat day-to-day—outside the fancy restaurants and Instagram cafés.

Why You Should Attend These Food Festivals

Aside from the obvious joy of eating to your heart’s content, attending the top food festivals in Nigeria comes with other perks:

• Cultural Immersion: You get to taste dishes from different parts of Nigeria in one place.
• Networking: From chefs to farmers, festivals bring together people in the food industry.
• Entertainment: Beyond food, there’s live music, dance, comedy, and fashion on display.
• Tourism Boost: Many festivals tie into larger cultural celebrations, giving you double the fun.

Final Bite

Food is one of the easiest ways to connect with people, and Nigeria has perfected the art of turning its love for food into grand celebrations. Whether you’re diving into a plate of jollof rice at the Jollof Festival, licking suya spice off your fingers at a barbecue fest, or exploring traditional soups in Calabar, the experience goes beyond eating—it’s about culture, history, and togetherness.

So, next time you’re planning your travel itinerary, don’t just think about the beaches or safaris. Mark your calendar for one of the top food festivals in Nigeria. Come hungry, bring your stretchy trousers, and prepare to feast your way through Nigeria’s culinary wonderland.