Sinulog Festival
If you want to feel the energy of the Philippines, start by joining the Sinulog Festival. It’s celebrated every third Sunday of January in Cebu City. This festival is all about honoring the Santo Niño (the Child Jesus) and celebrating Cebu’s history. The city turns into one big party with vibrant parades, street dancing, and people chanting “Pit Senyor!”.
Expect non-stop parades, cultural performances, food stalls, and lots of music. The street dancers wear colorful costumes and perform to drumbeats, keeping the spirit high. There’s no shortage of fun and excitement. Be ready to get soaked too if you join the traditional water-splashing game!
Pro tip:
Book your accommodation early! Sinulog attracts thousands of visitors from all over. Also, brace yourself for some crowded streets.
Ati-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, is one of the oldest festivals in the country. It usually takes place on the third weekend of January. People say it’s the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals.” The festival originally honors the early settlers, the Ati tribe, but it also pays homage to the Santo Niño.
The festival is an explosion of colors and sounds. Participants paint their faces in black and wear tribal costumes while parading through the streets. It’s a week-long celebration, packed with street parties, traditional music, and dance contests. If you want to join in, don’t just watch—grab some paint and dance along with the locals!
Pro tip:
Try the local food during the festival. Vendors set up all over town offering tasty Filipino street food like barbecue skewers and halo-halo.
Pahiyas Festival
Lucban, Quezon celebrates the Pahiyas Festival every May 15th. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves art and culture as locals decorate their houses with colorful, agricultural produce like fruits, vegetables, and rice.
This festival is to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The decorations are incredibly creative, turning the town into a living, breathing art gallery. Aside from the colorful displays, there are also parades, food fairs, and plenty of contests. Make sure you don’t miss the dishes made from fresh produce like longganisa (local sausage) and pancit habhab (stir-fried noodles).
Pro tip:
The best time to catch the decorated houses is in the morning before the crowds arrive. Also, try a bite of the local pancit, served on a banana leaf—no cutlery needed!
Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival
The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a combined cultural and religious festival celebrated in Tacloban every June 29th. It’s where history and faith come together.
The “Pintados” part comes from the tattoos of the island’s ancient warriors, while “Kasadyaan” means happiness. There’s a thrilling street dance where performers depict ancient Filipino warriors through body tattoos and traditional costumes. The festival also honors Señor Santo Niño, and you can expect grand parades, endless dancing, and colorful costumes.
Pro tip:
Watch out for the main street dance competition, typically held in the afternoon. Get there early to secure a good spot.
Kadayawan Festival
Happening every August in Davao City, the Kadayawan Festival celebrates the bountiful harvest and the indigenous tribes of the region. It’s the biggest event in Davao and is known for its energetic street dances, grand parades, and local produce exhibits.
The word “Kadayawan” comes from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” which means good, valuable, or beautiful. The festival focuses on thanksgiving for nature’s abundant blessings. Expect to see fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more lavishly decorated on oversized floats. Indigenous tribes also perform traditional dances, giving you an authentic peek into the region’s culture.
Pro tip:
Don’t leave without trying Davao’s famous fruits like durian, pomelo, and mangosteen. The markets get lively during the festival, so it’s a great time to visit.
Panagbenga (Flower) Festival
Panagbenga, or the Flower Festival, happens in Baguio City every February. The festival highlights the city’s beautiful blooming flowers, and it’s a spectacular sight.
Baguio gets covered in flower floats, street dancers, and cultural performances. This festival started as a way to recover from a destructive earthquake in 1990, and every year it gets more vibrant. If you’re a fan of flowers and cool weather, this is the festival for you.
Baguio’s parade is one of the longest-running flower festivals in the country, and you shouldn’t miss the flower-filled floats and street dances, which are the main events.
Pro tip:
Dress in layers. Baguio’s weather is cool in the mornings but warms up later in the day. Also, hike around Burnham Park to enjoy the scenery after the parade.
Masskara Festival
Happening every October in Bacolod City, Masskara Festival is called the “Festival of Smiles”. This event started to lift spirits after a period of economic hardship, and it’s all about fun and positivity.
Masskara is famous for its lively street dances where performers wear smiling masks that signify hope and optimism. Expect parties, street performances, and costume parades that will light up the streets of Bacolod with color and music.
Pro tip:
For the best view, head to Lacson Street, where much of the festivity takes place. If you’re game for the party scene, the night parties are something you shouldn’t miss.
Moriones Festival
Celebrated during Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, the Moriones Festival is a mix of religion and history. It features locals dressed as Roman soldiers, called “Morions,” who reenact the search for Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion described in the Bible.
The Morions march through the streets with their colorful, intimidating helmets and armor. They move from town to town, acting out the story of Christ’s Passion from the Bible. It’s a unique experience to watch, especially because it happens during the Christian Holy Week—a deeply spiritual time in the Philippines.
Pro tip:
Since Holy Week is also a peak travel time, make sure to book your ferries and hotels in advance if you want to attend. The sight of “Morions” under the summer sun is an unforgettable part of Philippine culture.
More Festivals: Don’t Miss These!
Dinagyang Festival
Dinagyang, a January festival in Iloilo, celebrates both the Sto. Niño and the city’s heritage. It’s known for its high-energy street dance performances and elaborate costumes. The rhythms of Iloilo will get your feet moving!
Obando Fertility Rites
Held in May in Bulacan, this three-day festival is for those looking for a different kind of celebration. Couples dance in Obando’s streets to call upon the saints for fertility blessings. It’s both a sacred and fun-filled event.
Higantes Festival
Held annually in Angono every November, the Higantes Festival features giant paper-mâché figures paraded through the streets. These giants represent anything from gods, to common folk, to famous personalities. You’ll have a blast watching the massive figures brought to life.
Conclusion
No matter when you visit, there’s probably a festival happening somewhere in the Philippines. Each one is a chance to celebrate the country’s rich culture, deep faith, and love for life. Make time to slip into the vibrant scenes of these festivals, where the music doesn’t stop, and the streets are alive with cheers and laughter. You’ll not only witness the spirit of the Philippines—you’ll feel it too.
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