The National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, will return to Enugu from November 21 to 28, 2026, following the postponement of the 2025 edition.
The National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, in partnership with the Enugu State Government, said the eight-day festival would bring together cultural delegations from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory under the theme, “Connected Culture.”
The 2026 edition is expected to feature cultural competitions, performances, exhibitions, training programmes and entertainment activities aimed at connecting Nigeria’s cultural heritage with contemporary creative expression.
Among the competitions are Swag Show, Dance Off Naija, Sing Off Naija, Naija Home Makeover and Jollof War, while indigenous games, including Dambe boxing, will also feature. Nigerian-developed video games incorporating local characters, stories and cultural references are also expected to be showcased.
The festival will further include masterclasses and capacity-building programmes covering film, music, fashion, performing arts and the creator economy, with the NCAC collaborating with partners including the British Council and the National Theatre.
Director-General of the NCAC, Obi Asika, said the festival should go beyond celebrating artistic talent by creating opportunities for young creatives to develop their skills and connect with sustainable opportunities.
For Enugu, the festival represents a return after nearly two decades. The state last hosted NAFEST in 2007, while the inaugural edition was held in Lagos in 1970.
Governor Peter Mbah said Enugu was prepared to welcome participants and visitors from across Nigeria and showcase the state’s cultural heritage, hospitality and creative economy.
The festival’s activities will be held at major venues including the International Conference Centre and Michael Okpara Square, with music, drama, crafts, film, literature, visual arts and exhibitions expected to form part of the programme.
The NCAC said NAFEST 2026 is also expected to stimulate tourism, hospitality, commerce and employment in Enugu while providing a national platform for artists, designers, chefs, game developers, craftspeople and other creative entrepreneurs.