Festivals are a great way to experience the culture of any country. Filipinos love to party and with festivals for almost anything you can think of, the excuse to celebrate is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. In fact, there’s a fiesta happening somewhere in the Philippines every month of the year. There are approximately 42,000 major and minor festivals in the country, a majority of which are held in a barangay or village.
Most of the festivals in the Philippines are based in Christianity. Being under Spanish colonial rule for more than 500 years has largely shaped the festival calendar, from celebrating the life of saints to honouring Baby Jesus.
These festivals were instrumental in spreading Christianity throughout the country. Other festivals are held to commemorate significant historical events, celebrate harvests or pay tribute to the survivors of a tragic earthquake.
Surprisingly then, most Philippine festivals are not the quiet and meditative kind. They are often celebrated with loud music, frenzied dancing, outrageous costumes, feasts, and lots of alcohol.
To get everyone involved, peryas with make-shift temporary amusement parks are usually set up. A variety of events can happen in a Filipino festival but you can expect processions, Holy Masses, parades, pageants, concerts, religious and cultural rituals, as well as plays and reenactments. So important are these fiestas for some Filipinos that they mark their whole year around a particular celebration. Sinulog, a festival in Cebu held every January, for example, draws around 2 million people each year.
These festivals were instrumental in spreading Christianity throughout the country. Other festivals are held to commemorate significant historical events, celebrate harvests or pay tribute to the survivors of a tragic earthquake.
Surprisingly then, most Philippine festivals are not the quiet and meditative kind. They are often celebrated with loud music, frenzied dancing, outrageous costumes, feasts, and lots of alcohol.
To get everyone involved, peryas with make-shift temporary amusement parks are usually set up. A variety of events can happen in a Filipino festival but you can expect processions, Holy Masses, parades, pageants, concerts, religious and cultural rituals, as well as plays and reenactments. So important are these fiestas for some Filipinos that they mark their whole year around a particular celebration. Sinulog, a festival in Cebu held every January, for example, draws around 2 million people each year.
Sinulog Festival
Location: Cebu City
Date: Every third week of January
What to expect:
The Sinulog Festival in Cebu City is one of the grandest festivals in the country. The famous celebration is held to honour the Santo Nino (the Holy Child Jesus), the patron saint of the City. In a nutshell, the Sinulog is a dance ritual that marks the Filipino’s pagan past and its transition to Christianity.
When it comes to eye candy, it’s hard to beat the pomp and pageantry that happens in Sinulog. Parade participants are all decked out in outrageous multi-colored costumes and dance to drums, native gongs, and trumpets. Streets are flanked from end to end with food and souvenir vendors, as well as onlookers raring for a glimpse of the spectacular performances.
Location: Cebu City
Date: Every third week of January
What to expect:
The Sinulog Festival in Cebu City is one of the grandest festivals in the country. The famous celebration is held to honour the Santo Nino (the Holy Child Jesus), the patron saint of the City. In a nutshell, the Sinulog is a dance ritual that marks the Filipino’s pagan past and its transition to Christianity.
When it comes to eye candy, it’s hard to beat the pomp and pageantry that happens in Sinulog. Parade participants are all decked out in outrageous multi-colored costumes and dance to drums, native gongs, and trumpets. Streets are flanked from end to end with food and souvenir vendors, as well as onlookers raring for a glimpse of the spectacular performances.
Dinagyang Festival
Location: Iloilo City
Date: Every fourth weekend of January
What to expect:If Sinulog is one of the most globally-renowned festivals in the Philippines, then Dinagyang is probably the most attended. Both a religious and cultural festival, Dinagyang takes street parties to a whole new level! “Dinagyang” is the Ilonggo term for merrymaking or revelry, and true to its name, the festival is one of the biggest world-class festivals in the country hosting a variety of different events. The celebration is held to once again commemorate the Santo Nino and to celebrate the arrival of Malay settlers in the city.
The most popular event is the Dagyang Tribes Dance Competition. Here, Ilonggo tribes are smeared in body paint, present a tableau of folkloric scenarios, and parade throughout the city while dancing, donning props, and wearing outrageous costumes.
Location: Iloilo City
Date: Every fourth weekend of January
What to expect:If Sinulog is one of the most globally-renowned festivals in the Philippines, then Dinagyang is probably the most attended. Both a religious and cultural festival, Dinagyang takes street parties to a whole new level! “Dinagyang” is the Ilonggo term for merrymaking or revelry, and true to its name, the festival is one of the biggest world-class festivals in the country hosting a variety of different events. The celebration is held to once again commemorate the Santo Nino and to celebrate the arrival of Malay settlers in the city.
The most popular event is the Dagyang Tribes Dance Competition. Here, Ilonggo tribes are smeared in body paint, present a tableau of folkloric scenarios, and parade throughout the city while dancing, donning props, and wearing outrageous costumes.
Masskara Festival
Location: Bacolod City
Date: October
What to expect:
Bacolod isn’t called the City of Smiles for no reason. People here are a fun-loving bunch, and the city’s biggest festival reflects that. Attended by around 3 million people annually, the Masskara Festival is 20 twenty days of non-stop street-dancing, drinking, and merrymaking. The festival began in 1980 during a period of agricultural crisis as pure escapism. The word Masskara is derived from the Filipino word mascara, which means mask. During the festival, dancers, performers, and onlookers are all encouraged to wear a smiling mask (a nod to Bacolod being the “City of Smiles”).
Historically, the masks were Filipino-inspired and featured ornate hand-painted details, flowers, and feathers. Today, the masks are more influenced by the Rio Carnival or the Carnival of Venice with plastic beads and sequins. Expect a variety of events like dance competitions, parades, pageants, food festivals, concerts, garden shows, trade fairs, bugle corps competitions, and carnivals. The Electric Masskara is one of the festival’s most popular events, featuring floats equipped with lights and music.
Location: Bacolod City
Date: October
What to expect:
Bacolod isn’t called the City of Smiles for no reason. People here are a fun-loving bunch, and the city’s biggest festival reflects that. Attended by around 3 million people annually, the Masskara Festival is 20 twenty days of non-stop street-dancing, drinking, and merrymaking. The festival began in 1980 during a period of agricultural crisis as pure escapism. The word Masskara is derived from the Filipino word mascara, which means mask. During the festival, dancers, performers, and onlookers are all encouraged to wear a smiling mask (a nod to Bacolod being the “City of Smiles”).
Historically, the masks were Filipino-inspired and featured ornate hand-painted details, flowers, and feathers. Today, the masks are more influenced by the Rio Carnival or the Carnival of Venice with plastic beads and sequins. Expect a variety of events like dance competitions, parades, pageants, food festivals, concerts, garden shows, trade fairs, bugle corps competitions, and carnivals. The Electric Masskara is one of the festival’s most popular events, featuring floats equipped with lights and music.
Ati-Atihan Festival
Location: Kalibo, Aklan
Date: The Third Sunday of January
What to expect:
The Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan is the oldest festival in the Philippines, which has earned it the distinction of being “The Mother of all Philippine Festivals”. As the country’s first festival, the event is said to have inspired most of the Philippines’ festivals including the Sinulog and Dinagyang.
The name Ati-Atihan is derived from the Ati-people: short, dark-skinned, and frizzy-haired. Celebrated for over 800 years, the festival is pagan in origin but the Spanish turned the celebration into a Christian event in honour of the Holy Child Jesus. A festival is a week-long event of street parties and dancing competitions. Unlike other festivals in the Philippines where onlookers are limited to staying at the sidelines, anyone can jump into the parade and bust a move with the performers! Surviving Ati-Atihan is all about knowing how to save your energy. There’s lots of booze, food, and dancing, and the weeklong event can be draining for the uninitiated!
Location: Kalibo, Aklan
Date: The Third Sunday of January
What to expect:
The Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan is the oldest festival in the Philippines, which has earned it the distinction of being “The Mother of all Philippine Festivals”. As the country’s first festival, the event is said to have inspired most of the Philippines’ festivals including the Sinulog and Dinagyang.
The name Ati-Atihan is derived from the Ati-people: short, dark-skinned, and frizzy-haired. Celebrated for over 800 years, the festival is pagan in origin but the Spanish turned the celebration into a Christian event in honour of the Holy Child Jesus. A festival is a week-long event of street parties and dancing competitions. Unlike other festivals in the Philippines where onlookers are limited to staying at the sidelines, anyone can jump into the parade and bust a move with the performers! Surviving Ati-Atihan is all about knowing how to save your energy. There’s lots of booze, food, and dancing, and the weeklong event can be draining for the uninitiated!
Pahiyas Festival
Location: Lucban, Quezon
Date: Every May 15
What to expect:
Nothing puts a spotlight on Filipino creativity more than the Pahiyas Festival, a harvest celebration held annually in May. The word “Pahiyas” means to decorate, a fitting name for the festival’s ultimate goal – to see which house in the neighbourhood is best decorated with farm produce like vegetables, fruits, and kiping (a type of wafer made with rice and food coloring). The festival traces its root back to the 15th century when farmers would display their harvests at the local church to honour their patron saint – St. Isidore the Laborer. The priest would then bless the harvest in thanksgiving. As time went by, and for convenience’s sake, farmers chose to display their harvests at their homes instead so the parish priest could visit and bless them, however the modern Pahiyas festival is less religious and more pomp and pageantry. Apart from the house decorating competition, the festival also hosts contests, exhibits, parades, and various cultural shows. Locals dress up in brightly-hued costumes for the procession. Cakes and various other local delicacies are distributed for free.
Location: Lucban, Quezon
Date: Every May 15
What to expect:
Nothing puts a spotlight on Filipino creativity more than the Pahiyas Festival, a harvest celebration held annually in May. The word “Pahiyas” means to decorate, a fitting name for the festival’s ultimate goal – to see which house in the neighbourhood is best decorated with farm produce like vegetables, fruits, and kiping (a type of wafer made with rice and food coloring). The festival traces its root back to the 15th century when farmers would display their harvests at the local church to honour their patron saint – St. Isidore the Laborer. The priest would then bless the harvest in thanksgiving. As time went by, and for convenience’s sake, farmers chose to display their harvests at their homes instead so the parish priest could visit and bless them, however the modern Pahiyas festival is less religious and more pomp and pageantry. Apart from the house decorating competition, the festival also hosts contests, exhibits, parades, and various cultural shows. Locals dress up in brightly-hued costumes for the procession. Cakes and various other local delicacies are distributed for free.
Pinagbenga Festival
Location: Baguio City
Date: During the Holy Week in March or April
What to expect:
In Pinagbenga, you’re going to see more flowers in a day than you would in a lifetime. Named after the Kankanaey term that means “season of blooming”, the festival highlights the traditions, values, and history of Baguio and the Cordilleras. It is also a tribute to Baguio’s thriving flower plantations and its rise from the 1990 Luzon earthquake. Lasting over a month, this festival is one of the longest in the Philippines. For travellers looking for Instagram-worthy photos, the festival is a feast for the eyes. As one of the most colourful festivals in the Philippines, you can expect a plethora of vibrant flower-covered floats, lots of street dancing by dancers clothed in flower-themed costumes, and exhibits featuring local products. The Grand Street Parade, one of the festivals’ most popular highlights, is a dance and costume competition where participants dance to Cordilleran music.
Location: Baguio City
Date: During the Holy Week in March or April
What to expect:
In Pinagbenga, you’re going to see more flowers in a day than you would in a lifetime. Named after the Kankanaey term that means “season of blooming”, the festival highlights the traditions, values, and history of Baguio and the Cordilleras. It is also a tribute to Baguio’s thriving flower plantations and its rise from the 1990 Luzon earthquake. Lasting over a month, this festival is one of the longest in the Philippines. For travellers looking for Instagram-worthy photos, the festival is a feast for the eyes. As one of the most colourful festivals in the Philippines, you can expect a plethora of vibrant flower-covered floats, lots of street dancing by dancers clothed in flower-themed costumes, and exhibits featuring local products. The Grand Street Parade, one of the festivals’ most popular highlights, is a dance and costume competition where participants dance to Cordilleran music.
Moriones Festival
Location: Marinduque
Date: During the Holy Week in March or April
What to expect:
Come to Marinduque during the Holy Week and you’ll be surrounded by a throng of men clad in full Roman armour, complete with breastplates, vibrantly coloured tunics, imperial helmets, and spears. No, it’s not Halloween. You’re in the Moriones Festival, a religious event held every year to commemorate the life of St. Longinus, the centurion who pierced Jesus with a spear as he was hanging on the cross.
According to the bible, Longinus’ faltering sight was healed when some of Jesus’ blood spilled into his eyes. This miracle urged him to convert, causing him to leave the army and serve as a monk in Cappadocia. The festival’s name is derived from the word “morion” – the helmet of Roman soldiers. The Moriones is a week-long event aimed at re-enacting the search for Longinus and the “Passion of the Christ”. In the festival, throngs of men dressed as Roman military roam the streets and playfully scare children.
Location: Marinduque
Date: During the Holy Week in March or April
What to expect:
Come to Marinduque during the Holy Week and you’ll be surrounded by a throng of men clad in full Roman armour, complete with breastplates, vibrantly coloured tunics, imperial helmets, and spears. No, it’s not Halloween. You’re in the Moriones Festival, a religious event held every year to commemorate the life of St. Longinus, the centurion who pierced Jesus with a spear as he was hanging on the cross.
According to the bible, Longinus’ faltering sight was healed when some of Jesus’ blood spilled into his eyes. This miracle urged him to convert, causing him to leave the army and serve as a monk in Cappadocia. The festival’s name is derived from the word “morion” – the helmet of Roman soldiers. The Moriones is a week-long event aimed at re-enacting the search for Longinus and the “Passion of the Christ”. In the festival, throngs of men dressed as Roman military roam the streets and playfully scare children.
Pintados-Kasadayan Festival
Location: Tacloban City
Date: Every June 29
What to expect:
The Pintados-Kasadayan Festival in Tacloban is one of the most anticipated festivals in the city. It was first celebrated in 1987 as a way of showcasing the tattooed tribespeople of Leyte and Samar called the Pintados. It’s one of the most colourful cultural-religious festivals in the country, and for travellers visiting Tacloban in June, it’s a definite inclusion to the itinerary. The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival features lots of street dancing where participants wear vibrant costumes and ornate body paint that resembles the armour used by tribal warriors. Apart from the parade, the festival community also hosts beauty pageants.
Location: Tacloban City
Date: Every June 29
What to expect:
The Pintados-Kasadayan Festival in Tacloban is one of the most anticipated festivals in the city. It was first celebrated in 1987 as a way of showcasing the tattooed tribespeople of Leyte and Samar called the Pintados. It’s one of the most colourful cultural-religious festivals in the country, and for travellers visiting Tacloban in June, it’s a definite inclusion to the itinerary. The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival features lots of street dancing where participants wear vibrant costumes and ornate body paint that resembles the armour used by tribal warriors. Apart from the parade, the festival community also hosts beauty pageants.
Sirong Festival
Location: Surigao del Sur
Date: Every August 15
What to expect:
From vibrant warrior costumes to intricate dances, the Sirong Festival in Surigao del Sur is truly an unforgettable experience. Sirong is an ethnic mardi-gras parade aimed at reenacting the battle between Christians and Muslims. In the history of Cantilan, early Christians led by the Spanish had to defend themselves against Muslim raids, and this is where the festival has derived inspiration. The festival is essentially one big dance competition, with each contingent reaching at least a hundred costumed performers. The winner takes home a huge cash prize, but if you aren’t performing, staying at the sidelines and watching the events unfold is worth the visit!
Location: Surigao del Sur
Date: Every August 15
What to expect:
From vibrant warrior costumes to intricate dances, the Sirong Festival in Surigao del Sur is truly an unforgettable experience. Sirong is an ethnic mardi-gras parade aimed at reenacting the battle between Christians and Muslims. In the history of Cantilan, early Christians led by the Spanish had to defend themselves against Muslim raids, and this is where the festival has derived inspiration. The festival is essentially one big dance competition, with each contingent reaching at least a hundred costumed performers. The winner takes home a huge cash prize, but if you aren’t performing, staying at the sidelines and watching the events unfold is worth the visit!
Giant Lantern Festival
Location: San Fernando
Date: The weekend before Christmas Eve
What to expect:
Trust in San Fernando, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, to throw one of the biggest Christmas-themed festivals in the country. The Giant Lantern Festival is an event that revolves around a lantern-making competition.
In this event, participants are encouraged to craft up to 15-foot diameter giant Christmas Lanterns with one rule: each lantern must be crafted from only local materials. Residents of each barrio volunteer to contribute to its creation, from the design to sourcing its materials and providing labour. As the years go by, the lanterns become bigger and more intricate in design. Once all lanterns have been made, they are paraded around each barrio on Christmas Eve. This festival originates from ‘Lubenas’, a religious activity during which locals would make smaller lanterns to bring to the town church on Christmas Eve. Over time, the lanterns became bigger and more majestic, but their message of hope and light still lives on today.
Location: San Fernando
Date: The weekend before Christmas Eve
What to expect:
Trust in San Fernando, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, to throw one of the biggest Christmas-themed festivals in the country. The Giant Lantern Festival is an event that revolves around a lantern-making competition.
In this event, participants are encouraged to craft up to 15-foot diameter giant Christmas Lanterns with one rule: each lantern must be crafted from only local materials. Residents of each barrio volunteer to contribute to its creation, from the design to sourcing its materials and providing labour. As the years go by, the lanterns become bigger and more intricate in design. Once all lanterns have been made, they are paraded around each barrio on Christmas Eve. This festival originates from ‘Lubenas’, a religious activity during which locals would make smaller lanterns to bring to the town church on Christmas Eve. Over time, the lanterns became bigger and more majestic, but their message of hope and light still lives on today.
Flores De Mayo
Location: All over the country
Date: May
What to expect:
If you’re going to be in the Philippines in May, chances are you’ll see quite a few street processions all over the country. This is because the month of May is usually dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The highlight of Flores de Mayo is undoubtedly the Santacruzan ceremony celebrating the discovery of the Holy Cross by Saint St Helena and Constantine the Great. While this event is usually celebrated with great pomp, there’s also plenty of emphasis on the religious aspect of the festival. Locals typically start by reciting the rosary, and the last day of the festival is marked by a procession of the Virgin Mary after mass. During the ceremony, the Litany of Loreto and the Salve Regina are recited in Spanish whilst local cakes are distributed to the children. After the service, everyone takes a final walk around town with bands playing religious music. During the month of May, locals also offer daily flowers to their respective churches as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.
Location: All over the country
Date: May
What to expect:
If you’re going to be in the Philippines in May, chances are you’ll see quite a few street processions all over the country. This is because the month of May is usually dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The highlight of Flores de Mayo is undoubtedly the Santacruzan ceremony celebrating the discovery of the Holy Cross by Saint St Helena and Constantine the Great. While this event is usually celebrated with great pomp, there’s also plenty of emphasis on the religious aspect of the festival. Locals typically start by reciting the rosary, and the last day of the festival is marked by a procession of the Virgin Mary after mass. During the ceremony, the Litany of Loreto and the Salve Regina are recited in Spanish whilst local cakes are distributed to the children. After the service, everyone takes a final walk around town with bands playing religious music. During the month of May, locals also offer daily flowers to their respective churches as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.
