The Calabar Carnival, dubbed "Africa's Biggest Street Party," is an annual festival held every December in Calabar, Cross River State. Launched in 2004 by Governor Donald Duke, the carnival has become Nigeria's premier cultural tourism event, attracting over 2 million visitors annually. The festival runs for weeks but peaks during the Christmas period with the Grand Parade featuring elaborate costumes, floats, music, and dance competitions. Five competing bands (representing Cross River communities) spend months preparing choreographed performances showcasing Nigerian culture, creativity, and energy. The carnival parade stretches over 12 kilometers through Calabar streets with participants in colorful, often extravagant costumes. Beyond the parade, the carnival includes boat regattas, beauty pageants, fashion shows, music concerts (featuring top Nigerian artists), essay competitions, and cultural exhibitions. The event has transformed Calabar into a tourist destination, generating significant revenue and creating thousands of jobs. It showcases Nigerian creativity and organizational capacity. The Calabar Carnival demonstrates how cultural celebration can drive economic development while preserving and promoting heritage.