This article was updated on December 9, 2025
When Flytime Festival released tickets to its annual concert, it wasn’t just the striking lineup of musical acts that caught the most attention. It was the ticket prices. Ranging from 150,000 Naira ($96) to 300,000 Naira ($206.50) for standing tickets, potential concert goers and fans of these artists, which included Asake and Rema, expressed understandable displeasure at the exorbitant prices.
In a country where the minimum wage is 70,000 Naira ($49) per month, these ticket prices threaten to push out a majority of the populace, thus rendering most highly anticipated end-of-year events inaccessible to many.
OG Nwosu, a resident of Lagos, says the price of things across the board has skyrocketed, which isn’t unusual during December. But with the cultural hype of Detty December, businesses and establishments have been capitalizing heavily on the buzz. “It's not even peak Detty December yet, and ride-hailing apps are already expensive. I paid ₦10,200 from Bariga to Yaba,” Nwosu tells OkayAfrica.
This December, Nwosu anticipates she’ll be spending money on transportation, drinks, food, and raves in Lagos, which she gets early bird tickets to. Although Nwosu notes that there are perks that make the season bearable. “Personally, my main problem is Uber prices. This time of the year is my favourite to shop for things, as a lot of businesses are doing end-of-year sales, so I'm able to buy the clothes, bags, and shoes I want at a discounted rate. Even services like lash extensions, acrylic nails, and hair braiding.”
When Ghana recently waived its pre-approval visa-on-arrival requirement for visitors from December 1 to January 15 under the December in GH campaign, it officially signaled the beginning of the festive season in Ghana, known locally as Detty December. Detty December describes the month-long holiday season in Ghana and Nigeria, sometimes lasting until early January when people from the diaspora return to their home countries, and events from concerts to beach parties, souks, and carnivals take over the calendar. It's a period that sees a rise in local economic activity.
According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, this visa initiative, "Makes it easier than ever for travelers to experience Ghana's rich culture, vibrant festivals and unforgettable events featured in the December in GH calendar."
Since 2019, Ghana has made a conscious, continuous effort to attract tourism interest through initiatives like The Year of Return and Beyond the Return. Visitors in Ghana during Detty December are estimated to spend at least $2,589 per person, offering a much-needed boost to the local economy. Relaxing visa restrictions at a time when many from the diaspora and beyond make Ghana their prime destination is a necessary step, but one that may not do much to lift the dimming morale of the festive season this year.
According to event planners and observers, the mood for this year's December is less exciting than in previous years, owing to an ongoing economic crisis and a tense election period. "Many events that typically happen around December have scaled down because of some of these economic factors," says Randy Walker, a media and entertainment entrepreneur who has worked in various arms of events management in Ghana.
Walker cites Afrofuture as an example of the scale-back happening within the event space. "Afrofuture, which [typically] does a large-scale music and culture festival that hosts over 50,000 people over two days, is now doing a beach shoreline event, with a much scaled-down experience," Walker tells OkayAfrica.In 2023 alone, some of the major brands that would typically subsidize or sponsor some of the biggest events in the country have made drastic exits, leaving local players to fill the gap.
Walker highlights the absence of artist-led concerts, noting that tickets would usually be announced around this time. He suggests that this may be due to the upcoming elections scheduled for December 7 or a general uncertainty regarding the financial capacity of event goers. "These are some of the things you're considering, and they would largely affect the turnout and economy we'll see around this period."
A shared problem
In Nigeria, Monalisa Ochukpue, the lead event planner at Mona Events and Lifestyle, confirms that the gloomy economy is affecting the inflow of clients and, by extension, the light, carefree nature of the December season, when people are likely to book her event planning services.
"Things are so expensive that you find clients balking at the price we tell them," Ochukpue tells OkayAfrica. "We work twice as hard trying to convince them."
For Ochukpue, the biggest issue has been Nigeria's unstable economy and its drastic effects on price fluctuations. With the naira consistently falling against the dollar and an inflation rate of 33.88 percent in October 2024, up from 32.70 percent in September 2024, Ochukpue and her team constantly face the stymie of unsustainable price increases. She admits, "It's a bit of a struggle on both ends." December in Nigeria typically features trade fairs, weddings, concerts, and holiday gatherings. But people are scaling back on these, reflecting the state of things.
"Nigerians will always find a way to celebrate, but they are becoming more intentional. It's all about value for money," says Oluwatobi Olanihun, an Experience Designer and the head of WOW! Connect, an experiential event outfit. "For example, where people once bought ten items, they might now opt for five. This shift has made people more deliberate and thoughtful in spending since money doesn't stretch as far as it used to," she tells OkayAfrica.
Ochukpue notes a marked difference in booking patterns compared to the previous year. "I had clients confidently booking from December 2023 to 2024. This year, we have fewer events happening."
A possible solution
As Walker, Ochukpue, and Olanihun see it, a shift towards low-cost, community-centered events could reignite the sense of hope and good cheer typically associated with this period.
"We've seen an increase in local content consumption because of all these factors, so if I am an artist, if I am an event organizer, or if I'm throwing a party or anything around this time, I will probably be looking more at growing a certain fan loyalty by throwing free events, subsidized tickets for events," Walker says.
"This is [could be a] way of saying we see you, we hear you, we know how tough it's become in the year, and so we're throwing a big party for all of us to come and have one big ball at the end of the year."
Ochukpue advocates for a more adaptive approach to event planning, urging organizers and clients to embrace flexibility and prioritize essential needs. "This is not the time when every part of your event is key. Focus on the things that matter and have a budget so it's easier for planners to work with."
Ultimately, focusing on good company and community will be the key to getting through these times. "Focus on spending time with friends and family. Regardless of your budget, there are countless ways to enjoy the season without breaking the bank. Creativity and connection often create the best memories," Olanihun advises.
