This year’s unveiling of the Jos Family Christmas Festival was more than just a launch it was a bold statement of hope, resilience, and the Plateau spirit. Held under the calm July skies, the event marked the beginning of a renewed push by the Plateau State Government to reclaim its identity as The Home of Peace and Tourism.
Plateau State is choosing to rise through celebration, culture, and community-building. The unveiling ceremony brought together top government officials, tourism stakeholders, creatives, investors, and families to kickstart months of planning and anticipation for what promises to be the most vibrant edition of the Jos Family Christmas Festival yet.
The decision to unveil the festival plans in July is strategic. Plateau State is determined to make Jos the premier Christmas destination in Nigeria, and that kind of transformation doesn’t happen overnight.
By starting preparations early, the state led by the Plateau State Tourism Corporation is engaging corporate bodies, hospitality businesses, event organizers, and community leaders to build an inclusive, well-organized holiday experience. It’s a deliberate effort to ensure that by December, the city is fully ready to receive guests, tourists, and returning indigenes.
“This year marks the third edition of the Jos Family Christmas Festival,” said one official. “We’re building something organic. We don’t want a top-down festival. We want citizens to own it, participate in it, and benefit from it.”
The unveiling wasn’t just formal speeches and protocols it was vibrant, entertaining, and culturally rich. Attendees were treated to electrifying performances by some of Plateau’s top-notch artists and spoken word poets, who brought the spirit of the season to life through music, rhythm, and soulful storytelling.
The event also created a space for networking among creatives bloggers, event planners, designers, photographers, and content creators. It was a beautiful mix of buying, selling, and idea-sharing. Vendors displayed locally made products, festive snacks, crafts, and art pieces, turning the venue into a colorful marketplace buzzing with excitement.
At the heart of this festival is economic opportunity. The Christmas period in Plateau isn’t just about lights, music, and festivities it’s a chance to stimulate the local economy. From event vendors and hotel operators to artisans and transport providers, the ripple effect of tourism-focused initiatives is far-reaching.
Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has shown unwavering commitment to the tourism sector, even declaring December as The Month of Tourism in Plateau State. The administration is actively building partnerships particularly with the private sector to redevelop key sites like Hill Station Hotel, Plateau Hotel, and Solomon Lar Amusement Park.
Already, work is ongoing on many of these projects, and stakeholders are optimistic that the first phases will be ready by December.
Changing the Narrative Around Plateau
One of the most powerful messages from the event was the determination to reframe Plateau’s story. While national headlines often highlight insecurity in the region, events like the Christmas Festival show a very different reality one of unity, joy, and safety.
“We can’t let the narrative be dictated by fear,” one speaker noted. “Yes, there are challenges, like everywhere else in Nigeria. But here we are, gathered in peace, under full security surveillance, enjoying the evening. This is the Plateau we know and love.”
Tourism, as the state rightly believes, is a tool for healing and national unity. It creates space for dialogue, appreciation of culture, and meaningful connections among people from different backgrounds.
The Jos Family Christmas Festival 2025 is not just an event it’s a movement. One that invites everyone to be part of something bigger: the rebirth of Plateau as a leading tourism and investment destination in Nigeria.
As the festival planning continues, residents, business owners, media partners, and creatives are being called upon to get involved not as spectators, but as collaborators in this vision.
