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JANUARY Philippine Fiesta
- Feast of the Black Nazarene
held every 9th of January in Quiapo, Manila. Devotees of that number in the thousands flock around the life-size statue
of the Black Nazarene (Jesus Christ) as it inches across the streets packed with devotees around Quiapo church. Devotees
attribute many miracles to this 400 year old image which was brought to the the Philippines from Mexico in the 7th century.
- Sinulog Festival
celebrated every 3rd week of January in Cebu City. This Philippine fiesta in Visayas region celebrates Cebu's patron saint,
the Santo Niño (Child Christ). This week long event is marked by processions, street dancing and parades. This fiesta is a
local version of the Mardi gras.
- Ati-Atihan Festival
fiesta starts from the16th to the 22nd of January in Kalibo, Aklan. Revelers masquerading as Negritos in colorful costumes,
dance to the beat of drums while chanting "Hala Bira!" in preparation to the Sunday procession in honor of the Santo Niño.
- Dinagyang
Merry mayhem breaks loose in Iloilo City during this weekend, when Ilonggos leave everything behind to join in the fiesta of the year.
All shyness are dropped: boring everyday clothes are exchanged for "Ati" warrior costumes and black body paint. Shields and "weapons"
are held amidst the pounding rhythm of drums, the costumed Ilonggos put their best feet forward in celebration of Dinagyang!
- STO. NIÑO Festival, Malolos, Bulacan
The biggest expression of devotion to the Holy child Jesus in the entire Luzon island. The event features a week long celebration
cum exhibits, a procession featuring more than a hundred caros of diverse images of the the Sto. Nino.
FEBRUARY Philippine Fiesta
- Feast of Our Lady Of Candles
every 2nd of February in Jaro, Iloilo City. This is the biggest and most opulent religious fiesta in the Western Visayas region.
The blessing of the candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta's
queen and her court which highlights the fiesta at the town plaza.
- Babaylan Festival
held every 19th of February in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The public gets a rare view into the simulated rituals of mystics,
ancient healers and priests in various ceremonies such as marriage, healing and harvest.
- Panagbenga Festival
It's flower season in the city of Pines - perfect timing for an all-out fiesta in the streets. The Baguio folk take a break on these
days to revel in the cool climate and the unique culture of the city. Multi-hued costumes are worn, mimicking the various blooms of the
highland region (or any of its 11 ethnic tribes). These are flowerbeds - masked, of course, as the Panagbenga parade floats
- Tinagba Festival (Bountiful Harvest)
A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early rituals of the
ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest
throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops,
ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.
- Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival
A harvest festival with a street dance showing their cultural heritage the art of "kali" otherwise known as "arnis" or "escrima",
the traditional martial arts of the Filipino people since the 7th century.
- Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta
Held every 2nd weekend of February at Omni Aviation Complex in Clark, the annual festival features air-sporting events like hot-air balloon competition,
aircraft maneuvers and precision flying, ultralights, RC Demonstration Flying, sky diving, aircarft rally, rocketeering, flag jump, balloon bursting competition,
kite flying, trade fair, carnival rides and nightly concerts.
- Guling-Guling Festival (Street Dancing)
Exciting and calendrical rites in Paoay, Ilocos Norte where townsfolk and their guests participate in singing and dancing in the street,
dressed in their native costume, the antique and attractive “Abel paoay Kimona” with matching tapis or pandiling, adorned with century old jewelries
- Pamaypay ng Caloocan Festival
One of the highlights of the city''s Foundation Day, showcasing the use of teh "Pamaypay"/fan as traditional tool to the surging heat as exhibited in
techno-modern folk street dancing competition.
- Feast Day of Sta. Clara
Different activities are lined up in celebration of Sta. Clara’s Feast Day. Some of the highlights include the Serenata and The Tiburin Race. Serenata is a
series of rondalla and brass band concerts and a revival of open-air musical performances held at the Sta. Clara patio, while the Tiburin Race is an exciting and
thrilling horse-racing at Cementina and Libertad streets. About 100 horses have been trained solely for this event. Events occurs on the seond week of February (13), on
Pasay City, Philippines.
MARCH Philippine Fiesta
- Eid El Fitir
commemorated every 9th of March in Region XII in Mindanao. Muslim Filipinos mark the end of their 30-day fasting as the crescent moon emerges after the Holy Month of Ramadan.
- Moriones Festival
reenacted during the Holy Week in Boac, Marinduque. This Philippine fiesta is based on a play about the story of Longinus, the centurion whose blind eye is cured by a drop of
Jesus Christ's blood. Actors wear colorful wooden mask and dressed as Roman soldiers.
- Paraw Regatta
An exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. This is an activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers.
- Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival
The “Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival” is held every first week of March and it features exciting events on water and land like the “palarong bangkero” (fluvial parade and exhibitions),
street dancing, drum and lyre band competition, choralefest, cultural night, trade fair, sports events among others.
The ‘Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival’ is inspired by and dedicated to all the bangkeros (boatmen) in Pagsanjan.. These boatmen impress one with his skill and dexterity in maneuvering
his boat upstream “against wild rapids and amids a pristine panorama of lush, virgin forest.”
- Kaamulan Festival
Expect the Bukidnon to go tribal from the first to the second week of March , when the streets of Malaybalay take on that familiar fiesta theme. Banners, banderitas,
and beer will be standard, as well as the sweet, haunting sound of native music. An early morning pamuhat ritual kicks off the festivities, to be followed by an ethnic
food fest, trade fairs, and a lot of native dancing.
- Fiesta sa Kanyugan / Balabago Festival
It is a reenactment of the gathering of the Malayan Datus headed by Sumakwel after their settlement in Malandog for thanksgiving and renewal. Held on Culasi, Antique.
- Araw ng Dabaw
Davao celebrates its birthday in a grand gala fashion befitting the largest city in Mindanao. The Araw ng Dabaw festivities come complete with a jam-packed, seven-day schedule
of trade fairs and cultural presentations. There''s also a colorful civic-military parade and a citywide beauty pageant, featuring the smartest, most charming ladies this side of the islands.
- Pacto de Sangre or Blood Compact of New Washington, Aklan
Katipuneros respectively wounded their wrists and used their blood to sign a document that formally expressed their grievances symbolizing their revolt against the Spanish authorities,
which happened at Sitio Kuntang, Ochando, New Washington. From then on it is remembered as one of the historical places in the country.
- Pintados de Pasi Festival
It is one of Iloilo’s grandest street festival, the region’s pride that won the grand prize in the 2005 Aliwan Festival in Manila and Iloilo Kasadyahan Over-all Champion
APRIL Philippine Fiesta
- Manaoag Pilgrimage
held every 2nd week of April in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Devotees and pilgrims flock to the shrine of Nuestra Señora de Manaoag for the feast of the patroness of the sick,
the needy and the helpless. Her image is believed to be miraculous.
- Jeepney King Festival
The jeepney driver is honored in Manila every month of April. Celebrations include exhibitions of colorful jeepneys and fiesta caravans.
The colors, the sounds and the pulsating liveliness of the jeepney is an embodiment of our optimism. They have been around for ages. They have not only endured but have also prevailed
to be the one and only "King of the Road". (You ban them from the roads and it's like killing the festive spirits of a truly Pinoy urban setting.)
- Bahug-Bahugan sa Mactan
Celebrating Magellan's landing on Mactan, Island, which consequently led to his death, through theatrical re-enactment on the beach of Mactan.
- Fiesta Pasiklab
It is a multi-lateral Trade Exposition highlighting 12 renowned provincial festivals: Ati-Atihan of Aklan, Higantes of Angono, Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival, Lucban's Pahiyas, Davao's Kadayawan,
Ilocos Sur's Viva Vigan, Bacolod's Masskara, Zamboanga's Hermosa, Naga's Peñafrancia, Batangas' Parada ng Lechon, Tacloban''s Pintados, and Cebu's Sinulog.
- Enchanted Kingdom Anniversary Fireworks Competition
The competition is an annual tradition that features the best fireworks suppliers in a contest to out-do each other in presenting supreme-quality pyrotechnics. EK is celebrating more than 10 years of providing magic
and enchantment to the public. As a treat to their patrons, guests to the park will witness at least 4 fireworks presentations for all weekend of April and May.
- Pana-ad sa Negros
Is the "festival of all festivals" in the province. It is a week-long summer event that brings together the towns and cities in Negros Occidental in one big showcase of handicrafts, products, tourism attractions,
and local festivals. Festivities include trade and food fairs, garden show, golf tournament, singing and songwriting competitions, beauty pageant, and a fiesta presentation featuring the festival of each town and
city in a colorful and jubilant presentation at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium
- Moriones Festival
A festival of the moriones, colorfuly garbed and masked soldiers and centurions; culminates in the reenactment of the beheading of Longinus. The entire towns of Boac, Mogpog and Gasan are virtually converted into huge stages as the story of Longinus unfolds.
MAY Philippine Fiesta
- Flores de Mayo
held nationwide during the month of May. Literally meaning the "flowers of May", this fiesta commemorates the search for the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her son,
the emperor Constantine. This Philippine wide fiesta is marked by a parade of maidens escorted by young men under floral arches. The main participant represents Reyna Elena and the emperor.
- Pulilan Carabao Festival
held every 14th of May in Pulilan, Bulacan. Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by the farmers on the street leading to the church. There they are made to kneel down to
pay homage to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.
- Pahiyas
every 15th of May, farm families give thanks to San Isidro Labrador for a good harvest by decorating their houses with brightly colored rice wafers called kiping.
- Obando Fertility Rites
held from May 17 to 19 in Obando, Bulacan. Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child. The pilgrims dance to San Pascual Baylon,
Santa Clara de Assisi or the Virgen de Salambao for their wishes.
- MAY ILAOUD FESTIVAL
A summer festival to commemorate the Foundation Anniversary and Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker.
- Town Fiesta in Honor of Saint Michael the Archangel
A 3-day town fiesta in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel celebrated during the first week of May (6 -9) at Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
- Blacnk Nazarene Feast
held on May 13th at Capalonga, Camirines Norte, a 2-day religious festivity in honor of the town’s Patron Saint, the Black Nazarene, which is the object of veneration not only by the locals but foreign devotees as well.
JUNE Philippine Fiesta
- Parada ng Lechon
on the 24th of June in Balayan, Batangas, this festival literally translated as the "parade of roasted pigs". This fiesta is a celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist.
Roasted pigs are dressed up and paraded around town before being eaten.
- Pintados Festival
every 29th of June in Tacloban, Leyte, town folks parade through town with colorful body paint to recall their ancient warrior tradition where tattoos represented bravery and prestige.
- Sakay-Sakay Abayan (Fluvial Procession)
A procession at sea led by the Patron Saint of Bilang-Bilang, Virgen dela Paz y Buen Viaje, the patroness of good voyage aboard a beautifully adorned vessel, held during the first week of June on the City of Surigao.
- Bilang-Bilang Abayan Festival
A showcase of religious heritage of the Surigaonons in honor of St. Virgen de la Paz Y de Buen Viaje.
- Pinyahan sa Daet
Sweet, juicy pineapple is the fruit of choice for the people of Daet, Camarines Norte. In fact, they loved it so much that they made a festival in its honor. Join the locals as they celebrate the Pineapple Festival
featuring a colorful street presentation set by art exhibits, trade fair, cultural dances, and sport events. Feel rich when you go for a visit at Paracale Gold Mines, and be familiar with some Bicol heroes like Vinzon and Panganiban and Lucban.
- Tacloban Pintados Festival
Back during pre-Hispanic years, tattoos denoted courage among the natives of Tacloban. These days they symbolize a cultural revival, and a wild, wild fiesta called the Pintados. Join the town residents as they decorate themselves out in body paint,
imitating the warriors of old while dancing to the frantic beat of drums.
JULY Philippine Fiesta
- Bocaue River Festival
held every 1st Sunday of July in Bucaue, Bulacan. The highlight of this Philippine fiesta is the fluvial procession in honor of the miraculous Krus ng Wawa or Cross of Bocaue.
Devotees douse each other with water as they scramble to ride the pagoda boat.
- Raja Baguinda Festival
the 3 day festivities start on the 2nd week of August in Jolo, Sulu. The festivities commemorate the arrival of Raja Baguinda who is credited of
spreading the Islam faith to the Sultanate of Sulu.
- Sandugo Festival
The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on the shores of Bohol. This historic event is considered today with an all-out fiesta at the island's capital city. Check out the Sandugo street dancing parade
featuring ten colorfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. There's also a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant, among the dozen of other exciting activities
- Kinabayo Festival
An exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces under General Pelagio took their last stand against Saracan.
They were able to overturn the tide through the miraculous spirit of St. James. The addition of local color and modernism has made this annual revelry a popular attraction which brings thousands of visitors to the City of Dapitan.
- Sinulog de Tanjay
Street dancing with mock battles between Moros and Christians followed by reconciliation through the intercession of the patron Señor Santiago, Tanjay, Negros Oriental.
AUGUST Philippine Fiesta
- Kadayawan Sa Dabaw
held every 3rd week of August in Davao City.This festival give thanks to to the bounty of fruits and flowerers as the waling-waling orchid blooms.
Colorful floats are bedecked with beautiful orchids and other flowers in the grand parade.
- Kadagatan Festival
It is a fishermen’s celebration of thanksigiving for the blessings and bounty during the seafaring, fishing expeditions and fish farming of townfolks of Mercedes, Camarines Sur.
- Cordova Dinagat Festival (Fishing Rituals)
The celebration honors the Cordova’s (Cebu) most prized source of livelihood-fishing. “Dinagat” means “anything” pertaining to the sea”. It showcases Cordova’s distinctive cultural heritage though authentic traditional rituals and dances.
- Pavvu Rulun Festival
it is the patronal fiesta of the city honoring St. Hyacinth enthroned at the elevated St. Hycinth Church beside the St. Paul University Philippines. The events surrounding the festival include street dancing competition, drum and lyre competition, beauty pageant,
trade fair, pancit cooking and eating contests, job fair and many more
- Kalibongan Festival (horse fight & blood compact)
August 14 marks the celebration of the Kalibongan Festival. Kalibongan is a manobo term for a Grand Festival which is celebrated yearly in Kidapawan, Cotabato. The Manobos, Bagobos, and other highland tribes from the different parts of the province go down to
Kidapawan to show off and proudly display their tradition and cultural heritage. The natives display thier own version of "party" with a traditional horsefight, a "blood compact" peace ceremony, etc.
- Coron Festival
“Coron” is a Bicol dialect meaning clay-pot or potteries of which the town of Tiwi is popularly known for. Thus, the festival’s main feature is the municipalities pottery industry which is done with skills passed from parents to children and perfected through
long years of practice without the benefit of written manuals. Festival held at Tiwi, Albay.
- Fruit Festival
Kidapawan takes its fruit growing industry to the streets literally as the city celebrates its annual fruit festival. There are cultural shows, a parade of local fruit products, a bevy of exhibits, street dancing competition and selected lectures on fruit preparation.
SEPTEMBER Philippine Fiesta
- Feast of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia
celebrated every 3rd Saturday of September in Naga, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. Highlight of this fiesta is the grand fluvial parade where the image
of the Lady of Peñafrancia is carried through the river aglow with floating candles.
- Lem-lunay (T´boli Tribal Festival)
Celebrated every third week of September. This thanksgiving festival stems from the belief of the T´boli in a golden age which they call Lem-lunay,
a sort of Camelot or paradise which they would like to rebuild for themselves. Each festival is a venue to reenergize the people and renew their vow to
work for this coveted state of life. Features the convergence of the 6 major tribes of South Cotabato (T´boli, Ubo, Manobo, Kalagan, Maguindanao, Tasaday)
together with representatives from the different tribes in Davao (Tirurays, Mandaya, Surigao tribes, Langilan, Bilaan, Bagog, Mansaka). The festival was
originally just a small town fiesta celebrating the feast day of Sta Cruz.
However, starting in the 70´s, the religious feast has incorporated the features of the Mo-inum or thanksgiving ritual of the T´bolis. The commemorative
mass held during the final day features a unique blend of Catholic ritual and ethnic color. Horse fights, traditional dances and games add more spectacle
to this breathtaking and awe-inspiring festival. Here is one festival which one really has to see to believe.
- Hinirugyaw Festival
Hirinugyaw, a street dancing festivity participated by various agencies and non-governmental organizations in the Municipality of Cabatuan, Iloilo. This
activity serves as the opening salvo of the 10-day celebration of the Feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 1-10 of every year.
- Sarakiki-hadang Festival
SARAKIKI is a local term for Calbayog City, Western Samar, apparently referring to premeditated or frenzied movements which means to allure, to draw with, to attract or exercise attraction,
to entice or to win. By its pre-colonial denotation, it means to praise, extol or eulogize spirits of gods. The word does not only ascribe to the ritual or
hadang as an activity to gratify the gods, but likewise hadang as the offering or the sacrifice.
- Busig-on Festival
A festival based on the epic of Busig-On of Labo town which exemplifies heroism and Bicolano values. The festival features the town’s distinct historical values and sentiments through talent and skills competition featuring the Labo's (Camarines Norte) places of interest.
OCTBER Philippine Fiesta
- Maskara Festival
held every 3rd week of October in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Mask-making puts a quaint accent on the festivities to mark Bacolod City's charter day.
Brass bands, beauty contests and parades are held before the evening's highlight of street dance where folks wear their beautiful masks.
- Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
All roads in Mindanao lead to Zamboanga, as the "City of Flowers" celebrates its grand, annual Hermosa Festival. The vintas, those colorful native sea boats,
once again make their appearance in a fast-paced, race-till-you-drop regatta. There's also a wealth of cultural and flower shows, art exhibits, and trade fairs.
It's an all-out celebration of life - Chavacano style!
- Lanzones Festival
Camiguin Island's favorite fruit becomes the object of adoration in this superb street dancing extravaganza. Watch the streets of Mambajao become colorful,
lively stages as the Camiguinons strut their stuff; dressed in the costumes of the Mindanao tribes, and carrying bunches of sweet, sumptuous lanzones. Everyone
is welcome to join the fun - it is a come-as-you-are, eat-all-you-can, and dance-till-you-can affair.
- Kinilaw Festival
A festival showcasing different styles in preparing a “Kinilaw” (raw fish delicacy). It also features the variety of fish, seafoods and other marine products in the City of Surigao.
- Sinanggiyaw Festival: Dumanju, Cebu
he name Sinanggi-yaw is taken from two old Cebuano words, Sinanggi meaning abundance of harvested agricultural products of our farmers and Sayaw meaning dance. Through street dancing and field presentation, performers shall dance merrily bringing all the
Sinanggi-performance focused on three aspects: planting, harvesting and thanksgiving.
- Kaadlawan Iraya
Also dabbed as “Araw ng Katutubo”, a cultural sensitivity festival organized by the local government of which the goal is to make developments based on eco-tourism projects with emphasis to preservation of Puerto Galera’s (Mindoro Oriental) cultural and historical assets.
- Cimarrones Festival
A festival highlighted by grand street presentation depicting the local culture and history of Cimarrones, Camarines Sur, believed to be the early inhabitants of Pili. Other activities include: beauty pageant, Kawat Suanoy, Cultural Night, Fiesta celebration, etc.
NOVEMBER Philippine Fiesta
- Higantes Festival
from November 22 to 23 in Angono, Rizal, male devotees carry the image of San Clemente in a procession that features pahadores, clad in colorful garb and
wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles and higantes (giants) 10 feet tall papier mache puppets.
- Pinta Flores Festival
This city in the sugar-producing island of Negros Occidental honors its patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo, with a pageant where participants with floral painted bodies
dance in rhythmic beat as they wind through the major streets. The festival is inspired by the tattooed Negrenses of pre-colonial times.
- Angono Arts Festival (Angono, Rizal)
The festival aims at creating awareness and appreciation of Philippine Art and Culture; and promoting arts and culture as vital attraction for local and foreign tourists.
Rizal has the potential of becoming a tourist destination particularly in the field of arts and crafts. It is known as the home of various national artists, musicians, and other equally creative artists.
- Kalimudan festival(Tribal Fiesta)
It is another tribal fiesta down in Mindanao ( Isulan, Sultan Kudarat), with just about every major ethnic group joining in the fun. Cultural sharing is the theme here,
its message clearly displayed in the timeless songs and dances of these native folks. One need not be a Manobo, Tiruray or T’boli to take part in the fun—all you need are the right clothes, the right moves, and a genuine desire to go totally tribal!
- Kahilwayan Festival/Cry of Sta. Barbara, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
Anchored upon the Cry of Santa Barbara Celebration, Kahilwayan Festival is a cultural festival in a dance-drama form which is a reenactment of sort of the struggle for freedom by our very own local folks led by the heroic Gen. Martin G. Delgado.
Aptly dubbed as Kahilwayan Festival, Kahilwayan being an Ilonggo/Hiligaynon word which means Freedom or Liberty, it highlights the quest of the Ilonggos to attain freedom through their fierce independent spirit.
- Benguet Grand Canao: Benguet, Cordillera Region
The Ethnic Igorots make their presence felt once again in Benguet as they hold a grand canao (the local word for “party”) at the Benguet provincial capital grounds. Ritual sacrifices are made,
followed by a series of chants and prayers made in the native language. Tribal performances come next. No touristy stuff here, just a healthy dose of of traditional Cordillera culture.
DECEMBER Philippine Fiesta
- San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival
celebrated the whole month of December in San Fernando, Pampanga. The festival culminates in a judging contest of the best, biggest and most beautiful Christmas
lantern made by the local craftsmen in San Fernando.
- Binirayan Festival
fiesta dates are from the 28th to the 30th of December in San Jose Antique. Ethnic pagentry reaches a new high on the beaches of Maybato in San Jose and Malandong
in Hamtik, where the drama of the first Malay settlement at Malandong is played out.
- Shariff Kabunsuan Festival
Cotabato City's Moslem population celebrates the arrival of Islam to the region with a series of fun-filled activities. No need to go native to enjoy these -
there's a fluvial parade, an outrigger boat race, as well as various musical and athletics events.
- Festival of Lights
A view of lighted trees, buildings and figurines. Pampanga, Capiz shells and native lanterns strategically placed along the major roads on campus and various nativity scenes also add to the festive atmosphere, Iloilo City.
- Sinukwan Festival, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
The Sinukwan Festival relives the Kapampangan spirit with a weeklong calendar of cultural revivals capped by a grand street-dance parade in the City of San Fernando, with some 21 towns outdoing each other to the tune of "Atin Cu Pung Singsing",
- Yugyugan Festival, Pagsanjan, Laguna
The feastival features the history and culture of Pagsanjan through music ans dance performed by students in Pagsanjan
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