Light Up Lagos Signals the Future of Lagos’ December Experience Economy

Lagos, Nigeria – Light Up Lagos has concluded its latest December season with a clear message: Lagos no longer hosts isolated events. The city is actively building a coordinated December experience economy that positions it as Africa’s leading end-of-year destination.

Throughout December, Light Up Lagos delivered a series of weekly, curated cultural experiences spanning live music, DJ culture, nightlife, a budget-friendly day party, and a large-scale fireworks display. In total, the season attracted over 15,000 attendees, reflecting a growing public appetite for structured, high-quality December programming across Lagos.

Key highlights included Ms DFS & Friends: The Light Up Edition on December 7, a sold-out collaboration that drew over 3,000 attendees, alongside “The Light Up Takeover at DJames Live in Lagos, which welcomed over 3,000 guests at the Landmark Event Centre on December 13. The season also featured the Agbaya Linkup x Light Up Lagos End-of-Year Party on December 21st, blending playful nostalgia, music, and community engagement while catering to a diverse demography of Lagos city dwellers.
Light Up Lagos closed the season with its most recognisable cultural moment: the new year’s eve large-scale fireworks display over the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. Over time, the bridge has evolved into more than a physical landmark and now serves as a cultural renewal point that transitions Detty December into the New Year.

Music and pop culture remain central to the Light Up Lagos Experience, with over 20 artists and creatives contributing across the season. Performances and appearances included Wande Coal, Niniola, Young Jonn, Adekunle Gold, GoodGirl LA, Lil Kesh, Ladipoe, Elestee, Shoday, DJ Obi, and others. The season also marked a milestone for women in culture, as DSF collaborated with Light Up Lagos to bring her headline show to Lagos for the second consecutive year, reaffirming the role of women-led leadership in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.

International cultural exchange also came into play this season, with UK-based DJames, who brings a distinctive approach to Afrobeats and Amapiano, reflecting Light Up Lagos’ intentional partnerships with creatives who engage African culture with authenticity, respect, and long-term dedication.
Beyond entertainment, Light Up Lagos continues to embed social impact into its programming. The platform dedicates a portion of proceeds from the season to supporting charitable causes, including Little Saints Orphanage, with whom it has maintained a relationship for over four years, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the communities it celebrates.

Speaking on the 2025 run, Wesley Wilde, Founder and Creative Director of Light Up Lagos, concluded:
“What we’re building goes beyond individual events. Light Up Lagos focuses on creating shared cultural moments that reflect who we are as a city, as we continue to lay the groundwork for a sustainable December experience economy that Lagos can own and grow year after year.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Light Up Lagos plans to forge deeper collaborations and strengthen coordination around a long-term cultural vision. The platform aims to continue shaping how Lagos experiences December, not as a trend, but as a legacy.