Bonny Kingdom Boat Regatta 2026 (3rd edition — Naija Season 2026 flagship)

Date: 26 December 2026

Location: Bonny Island (Rivers State), Nigeria

Organizer: National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) / Bonny Kingdom

The Bonny Kingdom Boat Regatta is a cultural festival of the Ibani people, an Ijaw kingdom on Bonny Island in Nigeria's Rivers State. Held on Boxing Day at Coal Beach, it centres on traditional boat displays and processions on the water, with art, music and community events on shore. The regatta has grown quickly since its launch, and it now has national standing: the National Council for Arts and Culture confirmed its inclusion in Naija Season 2026, the federal initiative promoting Nigerian culture, with the NCAC director general describing Bonny as Nigeria's cultural gateway to the Atlantic. Bonny is better known internationally for its gas export terminal, which makes a festival built around older maritime traditions a pointed choice. The 2026 edition takes place on 26 December at Coal Beach, Bonny Island, and is positioned as one of the anchor events of the Naija Season programme.

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