Have you imagined the idea of a fun Christmas in Lagos this December? Lagos is willingly welcoming visitors.
Christmas season is a time when friends and family gather to spend and create great, unforgettable memories together, relax and enjoy a variety of homemade specialties and culinary combinations.
Some of which are created exclusively for the Christmas season in Lagos. However, the idea has evolved.
Lagosians have switched significantly. In Lagos, Christmas is a time to party hard with a unique style that sets it apart from other months of the year.
The purpose behind this guide is to help some of my readers, particularly the ‘I just got back’ folks, you know, who probably have been disconnected from Lagos for years now, to get back in the groove of Lagos.
As you seize every opportunity to connect with your friends and family this season, do not forget to be security conscious. If you just got back, please allow someone who is very conversant with Lagos roads to drive you.
Avoid the temptation of driving yourself, because times have really changed from the last time you were in Lagos. Please try and be creative, look out for ways to enjoy the season in moderation.
1. Boat Cruising, Jet Skiing, and Kayaking: Affordable Aquatic Adventures
Now for starters, I love you to try the jet skiing, kayaking, and boat cruising this season. This is a great way to enjoy Christmas in Lagos and this is at affordable rates.
Luxury Boat Cruise Deals
For a group of seven or say ten or thereabouts, the guys at Luxury Boat Cruise can get you, you know, luxury yachts and boats on a cruise to private islands like Ilashe II and numerous other private islands within the coastal city of Lagos.
It goes for as low as 150K to 300K for a group of 10, 25 and above, this depending on the size of your family.
They also have all manner of luxurious cruises with lifeguards and all of that, you know, to mention a few. When you get there, just mention ‘Waka Area’ and they’ll give you a huge discount on every of your booking.
Jet Skiing and Kayaking
On the other part, for jet skiing, kayaking, which is currently ongoing in Lagos, the guys at Lagos Water Crest have great deals, you know, set of deals for you.
For as low as 5K, 10K to 20K, you can treat yourself to a great December experience. Jet skiing with Santa and all of that.
Culinary Delights: African Cuisines and Street Food
Lagos is home to the best African cuisines and specialties that are unavailable anywhere in the world. Do yourself a favor this Christmas and check out the many restaurants in the city for some delicious food and culinary delights. relax and enjoy a variety of homemade specialties
Reputable Food Spots for Local Cuisines
For local Calabar and Efik cuisines like Afang, Atama, Edikang Ikong, Fisherman soup and many more, you can try reputable food spots like Calabar Kitchen, which you can find in Lekki and environs of the Island and in the Mainland as well.
There is also the likes of Good Hunters, Jevinik, Mega Chicken, and numerous other food chains that offer unforgettable dining experiences.
For additional information, you can read the post I made about affordable restaurants in Lagos, which you can find on my channel.
The Best Street Food Combination
You must not forget that Lagos offers the best combination of street food, which can be found in all corners of the city, but particularly on the Mainland and Lagos Island. Let me reassure you that if you prefer street food, we have more than enough of them for your pleasure or merriment.
This include specially made roasted chicken suya at designated suya spots and local street vendors that will entertain you to a wonderful Christmas experience.
You should also be aware too that the majority of the neighborhood street food sellers only operate throughout the evenings at night.
3. Lagos Nightlife Experience: Clubs, Pubs, and Bars 🍸
Lagos may not be Las Vegas, London City, or even Venice in Italy, but as sure as heaven, Lagos promises unique, unforgettable nightlife experience that is synonymous to the city alone.
The nightlife experience in Lagos is infectious and would leave you clamoring for more. But be careful not to consume all your dollars, pounds and hard currencies, because you may be tempted to do so, especially due to the inflation epidemic in Nigeria.
Upscale Nightclubs
Expected one way to enjoy nightlife in any city is by visiting a nightclub and we have series of upscale nightclubs both on the Island and in the Mainland of Lagos that leave you entertained with lots of goodies from beautiful ladies to expensive liquor and other side attractions. But don’t forget to drink responsibly.
For popular nightclubs on the Island, we have the likes of Secret Place, Onpress Club DNA on Ademola Adetokunbo, Victoria Island. We also have Vanity Lagos on Bayrock in Lekki Phase 1, Vices and Jon K, you know, on Shoppi Plaza and many others.
The Cheat Code: Pubs and Rooftop Bars
Now, before patronizing the nightclub in Lagos, let me give you a free advice for us ballers in the city. We have a cheat code that enables us to spend less while exploring the Lagos nightlife without missing out on the fun. Top pubs with the groove and premium lifestyle
Clubs are beginning to be too expensive for us middle and low-income earners, except for the top musicians like Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy and a few others who got loads of cash to spend. For this reason, small time ballers like me discovered that it is way cheaper, refreshing and even more fun to try out pubs and sit-out rooftop bars, which are scattered across the city and this is whether you live on the Mainland or on the Island.
The advantage of these pubs is that you can get delicious local cuisines, alcoholic drinks and also catch the in-house show, which sometimes feature live band sections with top Nigerian artists and singers.
Most Lagos pubs and sit-out bars will give you all the club vibes and more in affordable and pocket-friendly prices and they are also fast stealing the shine of major nightclubs in Lagos. Since most clubs in Lagos sell fake drinks and have become too expensive, this cheat code I have provided can save you millions of Naira and keep you out of the hospital as well. But it is important that I add that not all clubs sell fake drinks.
Top Pubs and Bars
For top pubs with the groove and premium lifestyle, we have Cubana on Isaac John Street that has got lots of grills, you know, fantastic grill experience. We also have Toprano on Akin Adesola. We have Hotbox Lagos on Saka Jojo, Victoria Island. Above Lifestyle in London also has a branch in Lekki.
On the Mainland, we have Barrel Bar and Lounge on Toyin Street, Ikeja. You can also try the rooftop bars on Ikeja City Mall, also known as Shoprite. There we have the likes of Beer Hogs, Rapes. On the Mainland, we also have The Saffron rooftop bar on D. There’s also Bamboo on Isaac John.
Seaside and Waterfront Restaurants
Before I forget, please don’t leave Lagos this Christmas without trying out the seaside of Waterfront Restaurants and pubs on the Island. We have the likes of The Lagos on Younis Bashir Street, Victoria Island, King Fisher at The Admiralty.
We have The Boat Waterfront Restaurant on Center as well. Also have Farm City on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1. There’s also Sailors Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki and lots more.
Cinema and Chill: Box Office Hits and Netflix
As a fun seeker this season, another way to have a blast Christmas is to visit the nearest cinema close to your location or you Netflix and chill with your friends and family.
But my advice would be to explore the cinema option, you know, so you can have, you know, time to connect with people and make new friends, especially for the ‘I just got back’ folks.
5. Events, House Parties, and Concerts 🎤
Next on this list is events. This Christmas season, Lagos is a beehive of events, be it house parties and concerts. So you can be on the lookout for the next event in the city and enjoy yourself this season, you know, with reasonable budget.
Conclusively: Seize the Opportunity and Be Security Conscious
The Momentos is at the epicenter of numerous activities and the city is willingly welcoming visitors. Even though the traffic situation is terrifying, since the last few days, traffic situation in Lagos have been so bad.
But you must know that creating memories with family is only an opportunity for the living. So as you seize every opportunity to connect with your friends and family this season, do not forget to be security conscious.
If you just got back, please allow someone who is very conversant with Lagos roads to drive you. Avoid the temptation of driving yourself, because times have really changed from the last time you were in Lagos. Please try and be creative, look out for ways to enjoy the season in moderation. As we warm down 2025, it is my wish that God’s protection will be with us. Till I see you on the next post, keep prepping the culture.
