History of Calabar Canival 
 Calabar Carnival  in Nigeria, furthermore tagged " Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the dream of making the Cross River State  in Nigeria, the number one tourist place visited for Nigerians and tourist all over the world. The carnival which start on every 1 December and last till 31 December has boosted the heritage mosaic of Nigeria persons while amusing the millions of spectators inside and outside the State, and increasing industry for all stakeholders.

The Calabar Carnival has arrive a long way..it all begun 2004, when the governor of Cross River ,Mr Donald Duke, had a vision of making his state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigeria and in Africa. The Carnival presents a perfect stage from emblem visibility for buyer and market awareness. "According to Osima-Dokubo, the carnival directed to encompass more facets of localized heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capability of the local people to take part in an economically beneficial way", . lately,Cross River State and Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria or Africa as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality is concerned.

The events of the event at the carnival are made a draft each year by the committee in charge of tourism and cultural undertakings and new initiatives are presented every year. In December 2009, Carnival Committee organized "Carnival Cup 2009", a football competition amidst the five competing carnival musicians - Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside and Freedom. The carnival which also encompass melodies presentation from both localized and worldwide creative persons, the annual Calabar Carnival, Boat regatta, latest trend shows, Christmas town, traditional promenades and the annual Ekpe carnival is a yearly events that bring in thousands of visitors at the time of the year.

Other undertakings lined up for the year according to their work design, encompass the second version of Essay composing affray which will engage both lesser school and tertiary students, and this will commence in couple of weeks. These affrays are aimed at resuscitating the reading heritage amidst the youths of the State as well as inculcating the carnival culture.

The happening has hosted top Nigerian musicians, Nollywood Actors, Politicians and worldwide creative persons. Over the last 4 years worldwide creative persons like, the late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe, juvenile Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin, and many more has thrilled the large gathering of Nigerians and tourist from outside the homeland. Due to large crowd and fans that Nigerians creative person carries, 2013 Calabar Carnival would aim on Nigerian creative person.


2013 version of the Carnival Calabar Festival which is themed "Aint no stopping Us" which was revealed by the Governor of the State Sen. Liyel Imoke of Cross River State says it will strike an all time high grade during the  2013 Calabar Carnival. Please don't overlook out of this opportnity. Cross River State administrator, Senator Liyel Imoke, has restated that even though the annual Calabar carnival has been growing larger every year, the 2013 edition will strike an all time high grade. a Nigerian artist rather than a foreign celebrity, would headline this year’s event. This conclusion was taken following the observation by the Festival designing Committee that Nigerian headliners consistently drag bigger crowds than their international equivalent. This is a huge success and growth to the State. With Tinapa as the backdrop, and supported by Nollywood stars and major business sponsors, Governor Imoke made this declaration in a in world press seminar in where he invited Nigeria and the rest of the world to Africa’s large-scale road Party. Governor Imoke declared that the beauty of Nigeria is wholly conveyed in the Calabar carnival and the exclusive emblem should be jealously defended and promoted by all. He therefore utilised the event to call on the Government and private part to invest more in the creative commerce, as it retains a lot for the country as considers income earnings.