Wizkid to Headline Opening Night of Detty December Fest 2026

Nearly six years after the release of his critically acclaimed landmark LP Made in Lagos, global icon Wizkid is making a triumphant return to his roots.

On Thursday (Aug. 13), Billboard can exclusively reveal that the Grammy-winning Afrobeats pioneer will headline the opening night of Detty December Fest 2026. The incomparable “Essence” hitmaker is scheduled to take center stage on December 18, setting off an immersive two-week cultural celebration spanning music, exquisite cuisine, fashion, and entertainment that will electrify audiences through December 30.

Livespot360—the visionary entertainment production powerhouse historically responsible for introducing international stars like Cardi B to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and Ghana—will once again helm the production of the festival. Passes are officially available for acquisition via the official festival platform.

The inaugural installment of Detty December Fest last year proved to be a monumental cultural triumph, drawing upwards of 40,000 passionate attendees. It featured a star-studded roster of international and African luminaries, including Busta Rhymes, Gunna, Shenseea, Tiwa Savage, Diamond Platnumz, Phyno, Wande Coal, Fave, Young John, Qing Madi, Ice Prince, Jurna Jux, and Wizkid himself.

Wizkid’s imminent return to the live stage follows a relatively measured release cycle. Following his collaborative partnership with Asake on the January joint EP Real, Vol. 1, the singer strategically focused on cross-genre synergy, contributing standout features alongside dancehall legend Vybz Kartel (“Stay for the Night”), British R&B singer-songwriter Odeal (“Coca Body”), and UK songstress Jorja Smith (“Alive”).

After spending much of 2025 touring behind his 2024 acclaimed album Morayo—which peaked at No. 4 on the World Albums chart—Wizkid delivered further resonant collaborations, including “Dynamite” alongside Tyla and the chart-contender “Gimme Dat” with Ayra Starr, which secured a prestigious nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards. As devoted supporters eagerly await his highly anticipated seventh studio project, Detty December Fest serves as the ultimate homecoming celebration.

While further headlining acts will be unveiled in the coming weeks, the most exciting development for this year’s festival is the addition of a second performance arena. Wizkid will anchor the prestigious flagship Festival Stage, while the newly introduced Pulse Stage will function as a dedicated launchpad for next-generation visionaries, cutting-edge sounds, and burgeoning talent shaping the future horizon of African music.

“African music has never commanded such profound global influence, and our festivals must faithfully mirror that ambition,” shares Livespot co-founder and chief creative officer Darey Art Alade. “Integrating the Pulse Stage is profoundly rewarding because it grants rising artists a platform to share the spotlight with industry titans. That is precisely how healthy cultural ecosystems thrive and expand.”

The expansion of Detty December Fest arrives in tandem with the unprecedented economic growth of what has come to be celebrated worldwide as “Africa’s Real Summer.” Far beyond a rapidly expanding cultural phenomenon, the festivities generated an estimated ₦396.5 billion in localized consumer expenditure throughout Lagos alone, according to findings from the MO Africa Company Detty December Report. Reflecting this monumental momentum, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council previously established a dedicated presidential task force to coordinate inter-agency frameworks and optimize national tourism during the festive period.

Explore the official announcement confirming Wizkid as the grand opening headliner for this year’s festival below.

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