Call it the mother of all carnivals and you won’t be wrong. But it’s even more than that.
On December 3 and 4, over 500,000 guests will spend the day in and around Ahmadu Bello Way, in Victoria Island, eating, drinking, dancing, buying, selling, gaming, and partying, in what will prove to be a befitting two-day activity to usher in the 2016 yuletide season.
TLSP is designed to showcase and celebrate the renaissance of Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and a model state for other states across the African continent.
There’s food from hundreds of local vendors, every kind of drink – from retailers and sponsors, Lagos city merchandise, home made music from DJS and singers and rappers – including Lagos-based Nigerian internationals like M.I and Olamide. There will be multiple stages and floats and cabanas. And there will be the people, hundreds of thousands of them, who will bring the colour and passion and show that Lagos is known for.
There have been many street parties before TLSP, but organisers say this will become the definitive street party. ‘We’re working with all the right partners, and doing everything according to global standards, to make sure visitors and Lagosians have the time of their lives’, says Akin Akinyelure, project coordinator.
Read: Lagos party survival guide
The carnival is organized by the Lagos State government, in conjunction with Whitestar Entertaiment.
‘It’s a party for everybody’, adds Steve Ayorinde, the honourable commisioner for information and strategy in Lagos state.
Revellers should expect to see live music from The Police band, rappers Ice Prince, Phyno and Olamide, as well as disc Jockeys Spinall and Lambo.
There will also be choreography from award-winning dancer Kaffy, art exhibitions, gladiator challenge, paint balling, bubble soccer, children’s games, acrobatics, food tasting, and so much more.
‘We’re bringing Africa, starting with Lagos, to the world’s attention’, says Akinyelure. ‘We’re showcasing and celebrating the talent, culture, hospitality, people, places, and all the things that make Lagos special and remarkable.’
Lagos recently emerged the most secure and safety conscious state in Africa, winning multiple awards from Security Watch Africa.