Abeokuta has the classic Yoruba two-season climate: dry from November to March and wet from April to October. The dry season is hotter (32–35°C by day) but easier for travel and climbing Olumo Rock; the harmattan winds in December and January bring cooler dusty air from the Sahara that hazes the views from the rock but lowers nighttime temperatures pleasantly. The wet season cools things slightly but brings heavy afternoon downpours and slows the traffic on the Lagos road.
The main festival is the Lisabi Day in March, commemorating the Egba folk hero who unified the people in the late 18th century, with traditional dancing and processions around the Ake palace. Egungun masquerades appear throughout the year, particularly in the dry season; if you happen on one, give it space — the masked figures channel ancestral spirits and are not approached by outsiders.