Top 10 Things to do in Lagos this October

Lagos is always awake. The city hums with energy, spilling into its streets, its music, and its food. For anyone coming into town this October for Raenest Exchange, the event is only one part of the story. The rest is Lagos itself, a place that feeds you with experiences from beaches and art galleries to bustling markets and night-long parties. Here are ten ways to enjoy the city while you’re here.

1. Watch the Sun Set at Tarkwa Bay

Tarkwa Bay is a calm stretch of beach you can only reach by boat. The ride across from Victoria Island sets the mood, and when you step onto the sand, you’ll find volleyball nets, chilled drinks, and wide-open skies. October evenings often glow with soft light that makes the water shimmer, and if you stay long enough, you’ll catch one of the best sunsets Lagos has to offer.

2. Taste the Streets

Street food in Lagos is a story of its own. At night, the smoke from suya grills fills the air, and the heat of the pepper spice leaves its mark. Puff-puff disappears in two bites, while roasted corn with coconut is the snack people grow up on and never let go of. Whether you are in Yaba or Lekki, follow the crowd and you will find something unforgettable.

3. Wander through the Nike Art Gallery

Nike Art Gallery is one of the largest in West Africa, with walls stacked high with paintings, sculptures, and textiles. It feels endless, with each corner revealing something new. Spending an afternoon here is like walking through the imagination of Nigeria’s artists, and many visitors leave with a piece of that creativity tucked into their hearts.

4. Lose yourself in live music

Music is everywhere in Lagos, and live shows are at the centre of it. The New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja keeps Fela Kuti’s spirit alive with nights of Afrobeat that fill the hall, while Bogobiri House in Ikoyi offers a smaller, cosy space where musicians play up close. From highlife to jazz to new sounds shaping the city, these venues remind you why Lagos is known for its music

5. Drift on the Lagoon

Step onto a boat cruise and see Lagos from the water, where the city opens wide and the skyline glows in the distance. The Lagoon carries you past familiar bridges and islands, showing a calmer side of the city. As evening settles in, music plays, plates are shared, and the company around you feels just as much a part of the journey as the view. A cruise here is an easy way to let the day fade and enjoy Lagos at its most relaxed.

6. Shop the Markets

Markets in Lagos are full of discovery. Balogun Market on Lagos Island is packed with fabric, clothing, and everyday trade, the kind of place where movement never stops. The Lekki Arts and Crafts Market offers a calmer path, with handmade jewellery, paintings, and carved wood. Both give you the chance to leave with something personal, something that carries a piece of the city home with you.

7. Experience the Night

If you’ve heard of Detty December, you already know Lagos throws some of the best parties anywhere. The city comes alive after dark, with rooftop bars, lounges, and clubs buzzing from Victoria Island to Lekki. DJs blend Afrobeats with amapiano, hip-hop, and house, keeping the dance floors moving deep into the night. On October weekends, the energy builds even more, and you’ll find Lagosians ready to dance, laugh, and stay out until the first light.

8. Visit the Museums

Lagos holds layers of history, and its museums are some of the best places to find them. At the National Museum in Onikan, you’ll see centuries of Nigerian art and artefacts that trace the city’s past. The Kalakuta Museum in Ikeja keeps the spirit of Fela Kuti alive, while Jaekel House in Ebute Metta tells the story of the railway era. Each visit adds another piece to the picture of Lagos, showing how the city has grown while carrying its culture forward.

9. Dine Above the Skyline

Lagos rooftops are built for evenings that linger. At Sky Restaurant in Eko Hotel, Atmosphere Rooftop in Lekki, or any of the city’s high-perched spots, you can watch the lights stretch across the Lagoon while sharing plates and conversation. The air is cooler up here, the noise feels distant, and the city glows in a way you only catch from above.

10. Catch the Vibes at Moist Beach Club

Moist Beach Club on Victoria Island has become a weekend staple for Lagosians who want music, food, and the ocean in one place. The shoreline hums with energy as DJs set the mood, cocktails circulate, and small groups gather in cabanas or on the sand. It’s part beach, part social hub, where you can dance, swim, or simply watch the waves roll in with friends. By late afternoon, the atmosphere deepens into a mix of sunset views and Lagos nightlife, blending the ease of a beach day with the city’s unshakable love for a good party.

Lagos will shape the rest of the experience. The city has a way of folding visitors into its flow through its food, its music, its beaches, and its people. Come curious, stay open, and October in Lagos will reward you with stories you will want to tell again and again.