The streets of Takoradi came alive with colour, music and cultural pride as the Ankos Festival, popularly known as the Takoradi Masquerade Festival, took centre stage from December 25 to 27, drawing tens of thousands of revelers to Ghana’s Western Region.

The annual festival, which takes place across several towns but reaches its peak in Takoradi, is one of Ghana’s most vibrant Christmas celebrations.

This year’s edition drew renewed attention after Ghanaian traveller and content creator Mariame (@ryamchouu_travels) shared her first-hand experience on Instagram, describing the festival as “incredible” and a must-see cultural event.

“This is what Christmas looks like here in Takoradi,” Mariame said in a video documenting day one of the celebrations. “The whole town was alive — bright colours everywhere, music floating through the streets, and thousands of people dressed in their masquerade outfits.”

According to her account, more than 20,000 people flooded the streets, parading in coordinated masquerade groups, each distinguished by unique uniforms and intricate design details. From children to the elderly, participants and spectators alike took part in the festivities, dancing through the city in an atmosphere she described as “pure joy.”

Mariame joined the Supreme masquerade group, which she noted appeared to have one of the largest followings during the parade. While the masked performers endured the heat to maintain tradition, she opted to experience the procession without a costume, citing the intense temperatures.

Beyond the spectacle, the festival also stood out for its emphasis on safety and organisation. “Security was solid,” she said, noting a visible police presence throughout the event, which allowed participants to move freely and confidently through the city.

A key highlight of the festival is the competitive aspect, where masquerade groups face off to determine who presents the best costume and performance, adding excitement and anticipation to the multi-day celebration.

Mariame used the opportunity to encourage both locals and visitors—especially those in the diaspora—to explore beyond Accra.

“Ghana is so much bigger than just the capital,” she wrote. “This festival is vibrant, intense, colourful, joyful, and above all, safe.”

The Takoradi Masquerade Festival traces its roots to coastal traditions influenced by Afro-Brazilian and Caribbean cultural exchanges and has grown into a signature event that blends history, music, fashion and community spirit.

As Ghana continues to position itself as a cultural tourism hub for both Africans in the diaspora and international travelers, festivals like Ankos are gaining global attention for showcasing the country’s diversity beyond its major cities.

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A post shared by Mariame – Ghanaian Traveller (@ryamchouu_travels)

December 26, 2025: Hey, world wanderers and culture chasers! If you’re scrolling from New York, London, or Lagos, drop everything because Ghana is serving up the ultimate festive feast right now.

Detty December – that glorious, glittery chaos where “detty” (short for “dirty” in the best, party-hard way) meets deep-rooted heritage – is in full swing. As we hit the halfway mark of this month’s merry mayhem, Ghana’s streets, beaches, and squares are alive with rhythms, flavors, and fashions that scream “Akwaaba!” (that’s “welcome” in Twi, for the uninitiated). From diaspora homecomings to star-studded spectacles, 2025 is proving why Ghana is Africa’s unbeatable holiday hotspot.

Picture this: Under the sunny skies of Black Star Square today, thousands are grooving at Taste the Culture: A Black Star Experience – a sensory overload of Ghanaian vibes that’s happening right now! This isn’t your average concert; it’s a full-on heritage hug. Launched as part of the government’s Black Star Experience initiative, the event celebrates Ghana’s rich tapestry through mouthwatering cuisine (think spicy jollof rice battles and fresh palm wine sips), electrifying music, and bold fashion parades.

Headliners like Nigerian sensation Omah Lay, homegrown queen Gyakie, and soulful King Promise are dropping beats that blend Afrobeats with highlife – Ghana’s iconic sound born in the 1920s. It’s all about “hearing the rhythm, tasting the flavors, and seeing the style,” with sustainable twists like eco-friendly vendors showcasing traditional textiles and herbal remedies. Pro tip: If you’re in Accra, grab a ticket via the official site – it’s family-friendly, authentic, and utterly unmissable!

But wait, the party’s just getting started! Gear up for AfroFuture Festival kicking off December 28-29 at El Wak Stadium. Formerly Afrochella, this powerhouse event is a global magnet for the African diaspora, fusing music, art, and innovation. Expect headliners like Asake, Moliy, and TXC lighting up the stage with Afropop, Amapiano, and dancehall vibes. Beyond the tunes, dive into art installations, fashion pop-ups featuring kente-inspired couture, and food stalls dishing out pan-African delights. It’s not just fun – it’s a movement promoting community health fairs and creative expos that honor Black excellence.

With tickets flying off (VIPs sold out fast!), it’s the perfect cap to your Detty adventure. And yes, it’s got that heritage heart: Think storytelling sessions on Ghana’s Ashanti kings and interactive exhibits on Adinkra symbols – ancient wisdom meets modern swag.

Ghana’s December magic isn’t confined to the capital. Earlier this month, the Afro-Brazil Ghana Festival (December 12-13) in Accra bridged continents with live music, dance-offs, art stalls, and fusion feasts blending Ghanaian fufu with Brazilian feijoada – a nod to shared African roots across the Atlantic.

Up north, the Damba Festival wrapped up with royal parades and harvest dances, showcasing Dagbon heritage in all its colorful glory. And don’t sleep on the nationwide Ghana Heritage Month vibes, where events like the Fufu Party on a Park turned parks into cultural carnivals with traditional drumming and storytelling.

What makes 2025 extra special? The Ghana Tourism Authority’s push for inclusive, sustainable tourism is shining through. Events are vetted for authenticity, boosting local economies while inviting the world to reconnect – especially the diaspora, with homecoming vibes stronger than ever.

As Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie puts it, “December in GH is a cultural renaissance, a global call to come home.” Whether you’re here for the beats, the bites, or the bonds, Ghana’s got you covered.

So, pack your dancing shoes and an empty stomach – Detty December 2025 is calling! Follow #DecemberInGH for live updates, and remember: In Ghana, every celebration is a story waiting to be lived.

Ghana’s capital is preparing to host one of the most significant Pan-African music events of the year as legendary South African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni, Wiyaala, and highlife trailblazer Amandzeba Nat Brew headline the African Festival (TAF) Concert on December 30, 2025.

Scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the concert will serve as the grand finale of the three-day African Festival, a flagship cultural experience anchoring Ghana’s globally celebrated Detty December season. Gates open at 7pm, with performances beginning at 8pm.

Billed by organisers as a “landmark Pan-African music night,” the concert is expected to attract thousands of music lovers, diaspora visitors and international tourists, reinforcing Accra’s growing reputation as Africa’s December cultural capital.

A multi-generational celebration of African sound

This year’s African Festival Concert brings together some of the continent’s most influential voices across generations and genres. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, widely known as the Princess of Africa, brings a catalogue that has defined African popular music for more than three decades. Rocky Dawuni, a four-time GRAMMY Awards nominee, is set to deliver his globally recognised Afro-roots sound rooted in peace, culture and social consciousness.

Ghana’s own Wiyaala, often described as the Lioness of Africa, is expected to electrify audiences with her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence, while Amandzeba Nat Brew, a living legend of Ghanaian highlife, anchors the night in heritage and tradition. Also on the bill are Bessa Simons of the iconic Osibisa band and The Adaha Band, whose contemporary live sound is expected to elevate the concert experience.

Together, the artistes promise a rare blend of rhythm, dance, history and cultural pride, celebrating African excellence on a global performance scale.

Part of a three-day Pan-African cultural journey

The concert crowns the African Festival, running from December 28 to 30, 2025, curated as a holistic cultural immersion designed to position Ghana as Africa’s leading December tourism destination.

The festival opens on December 28 with Don Quixote Africa, a bold African reinterpretation of the 1605 literary classic, reimagined within the Gonja Kingdom by playwright Latif Abubakar. On December 29, audiences will experience The Second Coming of Nkrumah: The Musical, a large-scale theatrical production envisioning the return of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Beyond stage performances, festival-goers will enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences, including The Den of History with fireside storytelling and film screenings, Sahara-inspired camel rides, iconic African installations, contemporary art and craft markets, an African food village, and dedicated family and children’s zones.

Strengthening Ghana’s creative economy

The African Festival Concert is presented by Globe Productions in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), ECOWAS Bank (EBID), MoMo (Mobile Money), the Embassy of Spain, and Joy Entertainment. Organisers say the collaboration underscores the festival’s role in advancing Ghana’s creative economy, cultural diplomacy and international tourism footprint.

Tickets and access

Tickets are already on sale, with prices set at GH¢300 for standard access and GH¢500 for VIP. Purchases can be made via www.theafricanfestival.com or by dialing 4471092#. The ticket hotline is 0571 900 900. With strong diaspora interest and December travel demand, organisers expect tickets to sell out quickly.

As Accra gears up for another high-energy December, the African Festival Concert is shaping up as a defining moment of Detty December 2025 — a night where Africa’s rhythm, history and unity take centre stage.