January has a way of asking difficult questions. Mostly: where did all your money go? With December in GH 2026 now officially launched and more than 100 events on the calendar, it is worth asking that question while you can still do something about it.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Tourism Authority have unveiled the official calendar. The campaign’s theme is “Ghana to the World”. Here is what is on it, and why some people in the entertainment industry think we may be overdoing it.
December in GH 2026: dates worth noting
These are some of the events named in the Ghana News Agency’s report. Confirm details with the organisers before buying anything, because dates and venues can change.
- December 1 to 31: Christmas in Wonderland, Zen Gardens
- December 2: Street Arts and Trade Festival, Swanlake, North Kaneshie
- December 2: Guinea Fowl Bazaar, Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium, Tamale
- December 4: Tema Food Bazaar, Site 14, Community 1
- December 4 to 5: Ghana-Jamaica Homecoming, University of Ghana Sports Stadium
- December 5: EweZa Musical Concert, Jubilee Park, Ho
- December 12: Fufu Party, University of Ghana Sports Stadium
- December 24: Bhim Festival, University of Ghana Sports Stadium
- December 24 to January 4: Roverman Festival of Plays, National Theatre
- December 26: A Night of 1033 Laughs and Music, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
There is also the maiden African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTACC) from December 9 to 11. In addition, an Otumfuo Peace Concert is planned for Accra in December, although the date, venue and line-up had not been announced when Graphic reported on it.
It’s good to see that the list goes beyond Accra, with Tamale and Ho included. Reports differ on when the season officially ends: some statements mentioned January 3, while the Ghana News Agency’s report on the launch gave a later date of January 25. Ticket prices were not listed in the reports we reviewed.
Too many shows, too little December?
This is where it gets interesting. In an opinion piece on MyJoyOnline, Richmond Adu-Poku argues that the shortage is no longer events. It is the time, money and energy to attend them.
His points are worth considering, whether or not you agree:
- Artistes schedule big concerts on the same dates and split their audiences.
- Accra traffic makes attending two events in one night very difficult.
- Local fans are the backbone of the industry, even though diaspora visitors spend well.
- Smaller media houses cannot cover everything at once.
His suggestion is to spread big shows across the year. In his words, the goal should be to “build a year-round entertainment economy rather than a one-month traffic jam”.
There may be some evidence that it can work. Sarkodie’s Rapperholic, long associated with December in Accra, was held on October 24 at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium, and reports said it filled the venue. M.anifest also scheduled his Nowhere Cool anniversary show for October. One or two shows don’t prove a trend, but they are an interesting signal.
Who actually benefits?
Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie says the campaign’s success should be measured by more than visitor numbers. She pointed to benefits for hotels, tour operators, artisans, musicians, fashion designers and young entrepreneurs, and urged the industry to practise responsible pricing.
That last part matters to ordinary people. If you are planning to sell food, clothes or merchandise, the season can be a real opportunity. If you are planning to attend everything, it can be a real expense. And inflation has been creeping up, with rent and trotro fares among the top contributors in October, so your December money may not stretch as far as it did last year.
5 ways to enjoy it without going broke
These are our own suggestions, not official advice.
- Choose your big three now. Pick three events that matter to you and let the rest go. You will enjoy them more.
- Set a limit that includes everything. Add transport, food and outfits to the ticket price. The ticket is rarely the whole cost.
- Check the free and cheap options. Food bazaars, community events and street festivals may cost far less than a stadium show. Confirm what is charged before you go.
- Buy only from official channels. Fake tickets are a risk every festive season, so use sources the organiser has named.
- Protect January. School fees, rent and everything else will still be waiting for you. Put that money aside before the season starts.
So, what’s the plan?
Nobody is asking Ghana to have a quiet Christmas. The music, food and homecomings are part of what makes this season special. But the best December is one you can still afford to remember in February.
Which one event would you never miss this December? And do you think there are too many shows, or is the more the better? Tell us in the comments, and tag the friend who always says “we dey go” and never has money.
Featured image: Black Star Square in Accra, photographed in 2021. This is a file image, not an image of a December in GH event. Photo: Fquasie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).
