Lagos is preparing to host what organisers described as Africa’s biggest and longest beach festival, as 100 DJs converge for a 96-hour non-stop DJ Marathon Festival scheduled to run from December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
The event, designed as a four-day, round-the-clock music rally, aims to set a new global record for the longest continuous DJ performance, surpassing the current 55-hour benchmark.
Speaking ahead of the festival, CEO of Afroxela and convener of the marathon, Buchi Henry Mbagwu, said the idea was inspired by the global curiosity surrounding Lagos’ famed “Detty December” nightlife.
According to him, the concept was born during an international festival in Portugal, where attendees from Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, France, and Portugal expressed eagerness to experience Lagos’ party culture firsthand.
“They had heard about Detty December and wanted to know why Lagos is regarded as the city that never stops partying. That was the lightbulb moment,” Mbagwu said.
He explained that the team resolved to create an event that captured the essence of Lagos nightlife while showcasing the people who power parties across the world, the DJs.
“DJs are always the party starters. Whether at weddings, corporate events, or concerts, they set the tone. We wanted a festival dedicated entirely to DJs,” he noted.
Mbagwu revealed that the marathon will feature 100 DJs taking turns every hour in a seamless relay.
“This is about endurance, celebration, and the Lagos spirit. For 96 straight hours, there will be no stop, no pause, just sound,” he said.
The marathon will run across the New Year crossover, intentionally timed to set the record just as Nigeria enters 2026.
Mbagwu said the timing was deliberate:
“By December 27, people are winding down from Christmas and waiting for the New Year. Globally, New Year’s Eve is huge, in Dubai, New York, everywhere. So we chose a period when people are naturally looking for the biggest party.”
Describing the event as a multisensory beach experience, Mbagwu said it will hold across three connected beach houses, Kima, Wave, and Athena, combined into a single festival arena.
Festival programming will extend beyond music to include food, fashion exhibitions, fitness sessions, yoga, Zumba, gospel mornings, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Afro House, R&B, hip-hop, and more.
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While the physical event will host an estimated 1,000 attendees, the marathon will be livestreamed to over 100 countries via platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch.
“Your afternoon set in Lagos is someone’s midnight in Atlanta or Shanghai. The time zones work in our favour,” Mbagwu said, adding that the streaming component is central to showcasing the Lagos and African creative story.
The organisers said they deliberately created space for both renowned and upcoming DJs.
Confirmed DJs include industry names such as DJ Bombastic, Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, and DJ Humility, alongside fresh talents selected through a DJ Marathon Challenge.
Gender inclusion is also a priority.
“The industry is male-dominated, so we ensured many female DJs are featured,” Mbagwu said, citing DJ Bella, who once attempted a 250-hour performance, as one of the inspirations.
Describing the project as logistically intense but culturally significant, Mbagwu said the marathon aims to cement Lagos’ position as a global entertainment capital.
“This will be the biggest party festival in Africa, the longest, the most diverse, and the most global. The spirit of the people, the energy of the DJs, and the power of African sound are what make this special,” he said.
The organisers say preparations are in top gear to deliver a safe, well-coordinated, and unforgettable New Year experience for local and international audiences.