Lagos is not only the most populous city in Nigeria and the third largest city in Africa, but is also one of the very few places on this planet that have been known far and wide for their musical festivals. Every year Lagos hosts a number of festivals celebrating various fields of life such as art, drama, architecture, food, religion, dance, theatre and many more but the city’s music festivals have become more of the city’s cultural symbol and have been engraved deeper in to the minds and hearts of its locals over time, So much so that today many visitors book cheap flights to Lagos city during a time when one of these festivals takes place. So that you do not remain unaware of what stands as the city’s best musical attractions, read along for a list of some of Lagos’s major music festivals.
The most famous of Lagos’s multiple art and cultural festivals is undoubtedly the Muson Festival. Now celebrated by the musical society of Lagos annually, the Mason festival has its roots embedded in the year 1996 when it started as just a one-time celebration. However, owing to its huge success the festival became an increasing demand of many locals and foreigners with the passage of time to finally become the green flag of Lagos’s cultural and musical scene at the city. Celebrated through 25th October to 7th November every year, Mason is something more than just a concert, if that’s what you’re wondering. The Festival’s celebrations are marked by a night long of dancing; the local folk dance of Africa along with celebrations orbiting a vibrant bonfire.
Moreover, foreigners who visit Lagos at this time of the year, get a perfect chance to come up close with the true African idea of dancing, drama, choreography, art, Jazz music and preservation of culture. This festival of music and dancing is not only marked by vibrant colours but also by the importance and prestige blessed to it by the locals here in Lagos and this fact is substantiated through the large gathering of Local African along with other foreigners who cluster together to celebrate this event.
Celebrated in the month of March, is another very famous festival of Lagos, well known as the Lagos International Jazz festival. Having a large number of local and foreign audiences, this festival was for the first time celebrated in 2008 and has been celebrated every year since then. Comprising of more than 20 Jazz bands on average, the festival brings out a fusion of international and local jazz, creating a delightful ambience altogether. Moreover, the organizers of this grand festival also provide for music lessons, art exhibitions, school competition and various workshops teaching different forms of art.
Another auspicious festival that brings about a blend of different cultures and gives them the opportunity to understand each other and celebrate quality music and dancing with their followers is the World Festival of Yoruba Arts and culture. As its major purpose, the festival presents Yoruba’s culture and talent to the world and enhances its peoples’ artistic capacities. However, the Yoruba of Caribbean, America and Europe also join in to celebrate this jubilant festival. All these countries together represent their long kept culture and heritage through the talents of their contemporary generations. Participating in this event not only comes as an opportunity to enjoy different cultural music and dancing but is a brilliant chance to equip oneself with important information about foreign cultures.
Lagos is a country that would bless you with numerous opportunities to dance away your nights or go for daytime outdoor adventures. However, we recommend the time when Lagos is celebrating one of its delightful festivals as the best time to visit the city.
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