New Yam Music Festival to Draw Global Audience to Enugu in December

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The organisers of the New Yam Music Festival (NYMF) have announced that Enugu will host the grand finale of the 2025 edition of the festival, set for 14 and 15 December at the Amadeo Event Center.

The disclosure was made in a statement on Monday, highlighting that the festival, which marks the end of the Igbo farming season and the beginning of new harvests, is expected to attract a global audience of Ndi Igbo and friends from across the world.

The New Yam Music Festival celebrates not only the harvest season but also Igbo culture, community, and achievements in farming, business, music and the arts. This year’s edition will feature cultural celebrations including masquerades, storytelling, indigenous dances, yam feasts, and a yam pyramid showcase inspired by traditional market customs. Top Igbo artists are scheduled to headline performances, blending traditional rhythms with contemporary music.

The festival has previously toured countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Qatar and China, taking the celebration of the harvest season to the Igbo diaspora. Ahead of the grand finale in Enugu, NYMF 2025 will host two exclusive Lagos showcases for cultural leaders, business icons and partners.

This year’s event is supported by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture.

Mr. Big Sea, co-founder of the festival and key stakeholder in Heritage and Culture, the parent company of NYMF, said the festival was conceived as more than a cultural celebration. “It is a movement that reconnects people to their roots while opening the door for global audiences to experience the richness of African culture,” he said.

The organisers said the 2025 edition builds on the success of last year’s festival, which drew over 3,000 attendees including government officials, royal fathers, celebrity guests and cultural icons. This year, NYMF is expected to be bigger, louder and more global, positioning Enugu as a hub for creativity, tourism and international cultural exchange.

In addition to music and cultural performances, NYMF 2025 will spotlight achievements in farming, business, arts and community, and will bring together global brands in tourism, hospitality and lifestyle to provide visitors with a premium cultural experience. The festival aims to bridge generations and geographies, showcasing the enduring importance of heritage, rhythm, and pride in Igbo culture.