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The ultimate list of Philippine festivals

October 26, 2017

The rich heritage and cultural diversity of the Philippines is evidenced by the multitude of festivals and celebrations around the country all throughout the year.

Festivals are a great opportunity to learn about history and culture. The rich heritage and cultural diversity of the Philippines are evidenced by the multitude of festivals and celebrations around the country all throughout the year.

List of Philippine festivals for your next travel idea
Photo courtesy of pexels.com

The ultimate list of Philippine festivals




    If you are looking for a different adventure, one that is beyond the usual beach escapade or mountain climbing expedition, then going to festivals is a good option. They are lively, full of music, colors, street dancing and definitely lots of food. 

    Furthermore, festivals, while mostly religious in origin, are also story-telling venues where one may learn about the culture and history of a locality. Some local festivals are near, just around Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, while others are in far-off destinations.

    Anyway, for your next travel idea, here is an extensive compilation of Philippine festivals along with the dates, location, and a brief description of each one:

    January Festivals


    Feast of the Black Nazarene

    When: January 9
    Where: Quiapo, Manila

    One of the most celebrated events in the Roman Catholic Church is the Feast of the Black Nazarene that draws devotees from all over the Philippines.

    The centuries-old statue of the Black Nazarene is paraded in the streets of Quiapo, Manila until it reaches Quiapo Church.

    Sinulog Festival

    When: 15 January or every second Sunday of January
    Where: Cebu City

    The annual Sinulog Festival of Cebu honors the Sto. Nino. This religious and cultural celebration is characterized by processions and colorful street dancing.

    Ati-Atihan Festival

    When: 3rd Sunday of January
    Where: Kalibo, Aklan

    The Ati-Atihan Festival is being celebrated in honor of the Child Jesus. The word "Ati-atihan" means to act like an "ati," the native aboriginal inhabitants of Aklan.

    The participants darken their skin and don colorful native costumes. The statue of the infant Jesus is paraded while drumbeats, whistles, and shouts of “Hala Bira!” accompany the procession

    Dinagyang Festival

    When: 4th Sunday of January
    Where: Iloilo

    The name Dinagyang is from the Hiligaynon word dagyang which meant “merrymaking.” Dinagyang Festival celebrates the feast of the Infant Jesus and also commemorates the bond of loyalty between the Datus and the locals.

    February Festivals


    Mahaguyog Festival

    When: February 27 to March 07
    Where: Sto. Tomas, Batangas

    Mahuyog Festival is a week-long celebration, that involves street parades, pageantry, and a lot of merry-making. This annual festival is held every Saturday of February as a prelude to the feast day of St. Thomas of Aquinas, the patron saint of Sto. Tomas town.

    In essence, the festival is a gesture of gratitude and a way of thanksgiving of the farmers for the bountiful harvest.

    Taytay Hamaka Festival

    When: February 10 to 16
    Where: Taytay, Rizal

    Taytay Hamaka Festival is a seven-day celebration to highlight the artistry, craftsmanship, and talent of the people of Taytay.

    The Tinagba Festival

    When: February 11
    Where: Iriga City, Camarines Sur

    The Tinagba Festival is a harvest-offering affair for Our Lady of Lourdes. During the celebration, farmers parade in carabao-drawn carts filled with the best of local produce while Agtas come down from the mountain to dance.

    International Bamboo Organ Festival

    When: February 20 to 27
    Where: Las Piñas

    The International Bamboo Organ Festival is a ten-day series of cultural events with a focus on the unique bamboo-made organ, made by Fray Diego de la Cera, and found only in Las Piñas.

    Panagbenga Festival

    When: February
    Where: Baguio City

    The annual Panagbenga Festival draws many tourists from around the country as well as from abroad. Translated as Flower Festival, Panagbenga's highlight is a parade of floats made entirely of fresh locally-grown flowers.

    Ollalion Festival

    When: February 14
    Where: Tabuk, Kalinga

    Ollalion Festival celebrates the culture of Kalinga through its local sports, crafts, and indigenous food.

    Babaylanes Festival

    When: February 19
    Where: Bago City, Negros Occidental

    Babaylanes Festival brings into the limelight the culture of the first settlers of Bago City, long before the Spanish colonizers arrived. The Babaylan is defined as a doctor, herbalist, artist, adviser, herbalist, seer, diviner, and agriculturist.

    Kalilangan Festival

    When: February 20 to 27
    Where: General Santos City, South Cotabato

    The Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City is a lively and colorful mix of cultural shows, agro-industrial fairs, sports competition, and a local beauty pageant.

    Kaamulan Festival

    When: 2nd week of February up to March 10
    Where: Malaybalay, Bukidnon

    Kaamulan Festival is a three-day gathering of Bukidnon’s various ethnolinguistic groups in Pines View Park and is highlighted by the performance of traditional rituals.

    March Festivals 


    Malasimbo Festival

    When: March 10 to 12
    Where: Puerto Galera

    The Malasimbo Festival is a celebration of music, arts, indigenous people, and environment. Most notably, the festival is famous for bringing in some of the most recognizable musicians in the land. 

    The Malasimbo Festival also showcases world-class artwork courtesy of some of the most talented visual artists that combine their own creativity with indigenous elements.

    UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week

    When: March 21 to 27
    Where: Metro Manila and other participating regions

    The World Theatre Week is an occasion to celebrate the power of theater in bringing people together. It is an opportunity for theatre artists and media arts practitioners to share with audiences the wealth our country’s heritage, history, habitat, theatrical traditions and expertise.

    Anibina Bulawanun Festival

    When: March 8
    Where: Compostela Valley Province

    This is an annual celebration consisting of eight days of activities that culminates on the foundation day of Compostela Valley Province. It features various themes and is a colorful spectacle that celebrates the province’s bountiful harvests and rich mineral resources.

    There is also a trade and tourism fair that showcase the local people’s culture and traditions. Something to look forward to also is the Al-law Ng Kalomonan (Tribal Day) falls on the 7th day of the festival.

    Moriones Festival

    When: Holy Week
    Where: Marinduque

    This is almost certainly one of the most recognizable festivities in the Philippines. A week-long celebration during Holy Week, male penitents parade around town in costumes.

    During Good Friday, the penitents reenact the story of Longinus, a centurion who was blind in one eye and who speared the side of the crucified Jesus Christ. Blood fell from Jesus’ wound to Longinus’ blind eye which inexplicably restored his vision; eventually leading to the latter’s conversion to Christianity.

    Centurion Festival

    When: Holy Week
    Where: General Luna, Quezon

    The Centurion Festival may not be well-known to most Filipinos but it is very similar to Marinduque’s Moriones Festival in terms of format and splendor. In fact, some believe that it is the origin of the Moriones Festival.

    It may not be widely-promoted but it is a festival that is observed annually by some towns in Quezon. The Centurion Festival also keeps the local tradition and art of mask-making alive in the towns of Quezon.

    Pangalap Ritual

    When: Good Friday
    Where: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

    This is not a festival per se but an interesting ceremony in which believers crawl through Catilaran Cave as they chant various prayers. The ritual is believed to give participants supernatural powers that help protect them against malevolent spirits.

    Witches Festival

    When: Holy Week
    Where: Siquijor

    Siquijor is best known as the land of witchcraft. During the Witches Festivals, sorcerers or mambabarang gather at Crocodile Hill during the full moon to collect herbs, roots and live insects which they throw into enormous cauldrons filled with boiling water.

    The sorcerer-healers sit around this concoction while chanting incantations. The festival culminates in dancing and a restricted ritual in an isolated cave at dawn.

    Fireworks to celebrate Philippine festivals
    Photo courtesy of pexels.com

    With the numerous festivals that happen all year round in the Philippines, it would not come as a surprise if we are perceived by the international community as a generally happy nation. That is probably the reason why there is still a significant influx of tourists at any time throughout the year.

    Here are the Philippine festivals during the second quarter of the year.

    April Festivals


    Turumba

    When: April
    Where: Pakil, Laguna

    The Turumba Festival is a seven-day celebration in honor of our lady of sorrows. The festivity is punctuated by a procession and dancing to the beat of a turumba song.

    Lami-Lamihan Festival

    When: April 14 to 16
    Where: Basilan

    The Laimi-Lamihan Festival celebrates the rich heritage traditions of the Yakan people. The event is usually celebrated by a colorful parade and a horse race.

    Kadaugan sa Mactan

    When: April 27
    Where: Cebu

    The Kadaugan sa Mactan Festival re-enacts the Battle of Mactan which took place on the island’s shores.

    May Festivals


    Flores de Mayo

    When: Whole month of May
    Where: Catholic communities all over the Philippines

    The Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May is a religious celebration celebrated by Catholicsin honot of the Virgin Mary. It happens together with the Santacruzan, a reenactment of Queen Elena’s search for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. The town or city’s loveliest ladies are chosen to represent the various queens and consorts of Queen Elena.

    Magayon Festival

    When: May 1
    Where: Albay Province

    The Magayon Festival celebrates the rich culture and unique are of the province of Albay. The event is highlighted by exhibits and trade shows, street parades, various shows, and sports activities.

    Boa-Boahan

    When: May 2
    When: Nabua, Camarines Sur

    The Boa-Boahan festival reenacts the old 13th-century rite of offering chains of coconut embryos locally called boa to the ancient gods with the belief that this would ensure a prosperous year.

    Lanahan Ritual

    When: May 1 to 3
    Where: Balabag, Digos, Davao del Sur

    The Lanahan Ritual is carried out by the Bagobo tribe and is characterized by the concoction of medicinal oil or lana after they make a pilgrimage to Mount Apo.

    Carabao Festival

    When: May 15
    Where: Pulilan, Bulacan

    This Carabao Festival honors San Isidro Labrador who is the patron saint of farmers. Farmers’ Carabaos are paraded around town and are then blessed by the town priest.

    Pahiyas Festival

    When: May
    Where: Lucban and Sariaya, Quezon

    The Pahiyas Festival serves as a thanksgiving celebration to San Isidro Labrador for the bountiful harvest during the year. The event is best known for the elaborate decorations like fresh fruits and vegetables that cover whole houses. 

    The most prominent of such decorations is the brightly-colored rice wafers known as kiping. An image of the town’s patron saint is paraded around the streets in hopes of being assured abundant produce in the years ahead.

    Obando Festival

    When: May 17 to 19
    Where: Obando, Bulacan

    The Obando Festival involves various dance rituals held for three consecutive days, each to honor three different patron saints: May 17 for St. Paschal (for couples praying for a male child), May 18 for St. Claire (for couples who are hoping for a female child), and May 19 for the Our Lady of Salambaw (the patroness of fishermen).

    Pahoy-Pahoy Festival

    When: May 19 to 25
    Where: Calbiga, Samar

    The Pahoy-Pahoy Festival is held every May in the quaint little town of Calbiga. What is unique about this celebration is the giant pahoy-pahoy or scarecrows made of indigenous materials that are paraded and made to dance in the streets. Bamboos, cans and stones are used to create the sounds to scare away local maya birds.

    June Festivals 


    Naligayan Festival

    When: 2nd week of June
    Where: Agusan del Norte

    This is a week-long festival celebrated in Agusan del Norte. It features socio-cultural shows and fairs involving indigenous groups. The festival’s main feature is a climb to the top of the waterfalls of Agusan del Sur.

    Pagdayao Festival

    When: June 11 -12
    Where: Tacloban, Leyte, and Masbate

    Pagdayao in the local language means an act of praising or honoring. The Pagdayao Festival is a two-day affair that serves as a thanksgiving feast in honor of the Lord. It features street dancing and cultural shows.

    Araw ng Cotabato

    When: June 12 - 20
    When: Cotabato

    The founding anniversary of the City of Cotabato in Mindanao is celebrated with special events such as the layang-layang or giant kite festival, fluvial parades, banca race, and sports competition.

    Parada ng mga Lechon (Parade of Roast Pigs)

    When: June 24
    Where: Balayan, Batangas

    The roast pigs or lechons are dressed or decorated with colorful embellishments and are then paraded around the streets. At the end of the parade, the best decorated lechon will be announced. After which, the lechon meat is served to visitors.

    Hibok-Hibok Festival

    When: June 24
    Where: Camiguin Island

    The Hibok-Hibok Festival is celebrated in honor of St. John the Baptist. The event’s highlights are the fluvial processions, parades, and water sports.

    Daet Pineapple Festival

    When: 3rd week of June
    Where: Daet, Camarines Norte

    This Daet Pineapple Festival is commemorated to continually spread awareness on the sweetest pineapple variety - the Formosa type – which is abundantly cultivated in Daet.

    The week-long celebration is filled with many activities such as sporting events, a talent and skills competition, an investment forum for entrepreneurs or those planning to put up a business, cultural shows and concerts, a food fair, an agro-industrial and trade fair, the search for Bicolandia Queen, and street dancing contests.

    Tacloban Festival

    When: last week of June
    Where: Tacloban, Leyte

    The Tacloban Festival is composed of a trio of major events: the Subiran Regatta, a sailboat race held at the eastern entrance of San Juanico Strait; the Balyuan, a pageant reenacting the historic exchange of images between Basey, Samar and Tacloban City; and the Pintados Festival where participants paint their bodies and dance to the rhythm of bamboo sticks.

    Piat Sambali Festival

    When: last week of June
    Where: Piat, Cagayan

    The Piat Sambali Festival is a colorful celebration highlighted by street dancing, cultural shows and a beauty pageant. This festival celebrates the Christianization of the Itawis people of Cagayan.

    Sunset as a way to cap the amazing Philippine festivals
    Photo courtesy of pexels.com

    The Philippines does not seem to run out of any reason to celebrate. Proof of this is the many colorful and vibrant festivals in many corners of the country, on top of the numerous holidays throughout the year. Think of a municipality and, chances are, it will have an important festival that is celebrated each year.

    Summer may be over but the onset of the rainy season should not stop us from our pursuing our adventures (unless, of course, we are unable to because of the inclement weather). Here are the Philippine festivals for the third quarter of the year.

    July Festivals


    Sagayan Festival Tubod

    When: 1st week of July
    Where: Lanao del Norte

    The Sagayan Festival Tubod features a Maranao war dance as its main event. The dance is performed during the Araw ng Lanao del Norte where all of the municipalities in the province take part in. Complementing the war dance is a graceful fan dance performed by Maranao maidens wearing colorful garments and embellishments.

    Pagoda Festival

    When: July 4 to 7
    Where: Bocaue, Bulacan

    The Pagoda Festival of Bocaue, Bulacan is a celebration in honor of the Holy Cross of Wawa found in the Bocaue River. During the event, colorful pagodas or decorated barges and vibrantly ornamented small boats embark on a fluvial parade at the Bocaue River.

    Sublian sa Batangas

    When: July 23
    Where: Batangas City

    The Sublian sa Batangas coincides with the Foundation Day of Batangas City. This celebration revives the custom of the subli, a dance that is native to the province of Batangas.

    Sinulog de Tanjay Festival

    When: Last week of July
    Where: Tanjay, Negros Oriental

    The Sinulog de Tanjay Festival is a 10-day celebration which features the origin of the old sinulog culture and is observed by the residents of Tanjay, Negros Oriental. The event is highlighted by a parade showcasing local garments. There is also a horse fighting that acts out the battle between the Spaniards and the Muslims.

    Sandugo Festival

    When: Last week of July
    Where: Bohol

    The Sandugo Festival is celebrated in Bohol and venerates the blood compact between Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Filipino chieftain Sikatuna. The event features an agro-industrial exhibit, a trade fair, a beauty contest, street dancing, and a re-enactment of the blood compact.

    August Festivals


    Pangapog Festival

    When: August 1 to 7
    Where: Samal Island, Davao

    The Pangapog Festival is a thanksgiving celebration for an abundant produce. It highlights the culture of the Sama, the indigenous people of Samal, through local sports and other native contests.

    Palu-Palo Festival

    When: August 4 to 5
    Where: Basco, Batanes

    Palu-Palo Festival is highlighted by a cultural presentation showing the life and times of the Ivatans.

    Marang Festival

    When: August 5
    Where: Basco, Batanes

    The Marang Festival is observed by Ivatans as a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the Marang fruit.

    Pasaka Festival

    When: August 14
    Where: Tanuan, Leyte

    The Pasaka Festival derives its name from “Pasaka,” the vernacular for Assumption. The event, which is religious in nature, is a street spectacle honoring of Our Lady of Assumption.

    Lubi-Lubi Festival

    When: August 15
    Where: Calubian, Leyte

    The Lubi-Lubi Festival is a dance festival celebrating the numerous uses of the coconut. The celebration also pays homage to Our Lady of Fatima and St. Roque.

    Kalibongan Festival

    When: August 17 to 18
    Where: Kidapawan, Cotabato

    The Kalibongan Festival gathers the various Mindanao ethno-linguistic groups like the Bagobos and Manobos. The event highlights include a horse fight and a Manobo wedding.

    Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival

    When: 3rd week of August
    Where: Davao City

    The Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival is one of the major festivals in the Philippines. The Kadayawan is a colorful occasion that lasts for five days, as a thanksgiving festival and as a tribute to the indigenous peoples of Davao.

    Kadayawan is a local expression in Dabawnon; it means “anything excellent that brings great fortune.” It comes from the root word “dayaw” or “good,” used to describe something that is valuable and superior.

    Gigantes Festival

    When: August 19
    Where: Lucban, Quezon

    The Gigantes Festival is another recognizable Philippine celebration. It happens in the town of Lucban, Quezon, where residents parade their gigantes or giants.

    The gigantes are around 14 feet in hwight and come in pairs. These are the mag-asawa or couple, a giant man dressed in a peasant’s camisa de chino or undershirt, and his wife clad in the native patadyong and kimona, which is a loose skirt topped with a flimsy blouse. 

    The colorful giant figures are crafted from papier mache and are carried on the shoulders by those who have made a panata (an oath or devotion) in exchange for a favor received. This festivity is shared by Lucban with the town of Angono, Rizal, which celebrates it in November.

    September Festivals


    Aurora Festival

    When: Last Sunday of August to first week of September
    Where: Tanjay, Negros Oriental

    The Aurora Festival is highlighted by evening novenas participated in by more than 40 clans, which culminate in an evening fluvial procession at the Tanjay River.

    T’boli Tribal Festival

    When: 3rd week of September
    Where: South Cotabato

    The T’boli Tribal Festival is a gathering of the major ethno-linguistic peoples in South Cotabato together with representatives from Davao.

    Peñafrancia Fiesta Festival

    When: 3rd Sunday of September
    Where: Naga City, Camarines Sur

    The Peñafrancia Fiesta Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the Bicol region. It is a religious festival that honors the Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, the patroness of the Bicol Region River.

    Djanggo Festival

    When: September 28 to 29
    Where; Nassiping, Gattaran, Cagayan

    The Djanggo Festival observes a centuries-old religious and cultural tradition that is based on the life of St. Michael.

    Philippine festivals as a great travel idea
    Photo courtesy of pexels.com

    While festivals in the country abound, the colors, the pomp, and the revelry are unique in every region, thus, providing a distinctive experience to travelers which keeps them wanting to see what’s in store for them in their next destination.

    Here are the Philippine festivals for the last quarter of the year.


    October Festivals


    Halaran Festival

    When: 1st week of October
    Where: Roxas City

    This festival highlights the performance of the history and culture of Capizeños during pre-Hispanic times.

    Masskara Festival

    When: last week of October
    Where: Bacolod City

    The Masskara Festival is one of the tourist-drawers of Bacolod City. This colorful celebration is marked by carnivals, fairs, and masked street dancers.

    Ibalong Festival

    When: 2nd week
    Where: Legaspi City

    The Ibalong Festival is based on a Bicolano epic showcasing legendary superheroes Handiong and Baltog.

    Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

    When: October 10-12
    Where: Zamboanga City

    The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival honors the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Zaragosa. The events lined up commonly include a regatta, colorful vintas, banconan flower show, and fireworks.

    Kasanggayahan Festival

    When: October 10-17
    Where: Sorsogon, Sorsogon

    The Kasanggayahan Festival coincides with the foundation anniversary of Sorsogon. Kasanggayahan means “prosperity and happiness.”

    Feast of La Naval Manila

    When: October 11
    Where: Quezon City

    During the Feast of La Naval Manila, the image of the Virgin Mary is paraded in a colorfully-decorated carriage resembling a ship. The image of La Naval is believed to be miraculous and ensures safe voyage to anyone who prays to it.

    Inug-og Festival

    When: October 15
    Where: Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental

    The Inug-og Festival is held in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

    Calbayog Grand Karakol

    When: October 16
    Where: Calbayog City

    The Calbayog Grand Karakol is a religious celebration of thanksgiving and joyous pageantry, with devotees of San Rafael happily dancing.

    Sagingan Festival

    When: October 16-17
    Where: Tubod, Lanao del Norte

    The Sagingan Festival is in honor of San Isidro Labrador. The celebration is characterized with street dancers dressed in banana-like costumes.

    November Festivals


    Pintaflores 

    When: November 3 to 5
    Where: San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

    Pintaflores is a festival marked by street dancing of pintados or dancers with tattoos or flowers on their body.

    Kalag-Kalag Festival 

    When: November 13 
    Where: Cebu City

    The Kalag-Kalag Festival commemorates the Filipino tradition of visiting departed loved ones.

    Sanduguan Festival 

    When: November 15
    Where: Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

    The Sanduguan Festival is a reenactment of the first contact between the natives of Mindoro and traders from China.

    Feast of San Clemente/Gigantes 

    When: November 22 to 23
    Where: Angono, Rizal

    The Feast of San Clemente is characterized by giant papier mache effigies, natives in wooden shoes and costumes joining the procession of the statue of San Clemente around town.

    P’yagsawitan Festival 

    When: 3rd week of November
    Where: Maragusan, Davao Province

    The P’yagsawitan Festival is characterized by performances by indigenous groups of the area, and harvest-related thanksgiving rituals.

    Kawayanan Festival

    When: 3rd week of November
    Where: Capitol Complex, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur

    The Kawayanan Festival celebrates the versatility of the bamboo plant and its significance in the locality of Pagadian.

    Santa Ipon Festival

    When: November 25 to December 25
    Where: Santa, Ilocos Sur

    The Santa Ipon Festival is a thanksgiving celebration highlighted by the catching of the ipon, a tiny species of fish.

    Day-ang Di Onga Festival

    When: November 30
    Where: Baguio City

    The Day-ang Di Onga Festival is one of the region’s major events featuring young Cordillerans in a day-long event in celebration of life.

    Binabayani Festival

    When: last week of November
    Where: Olongapo, Zambales

    The Binabayani Festival is a reenactment of the war between the Aetas and the Christians through dance.

    December Festivals


    Paskuhan sa Barangay 

    When: whole month of December
    Where: Parian, Cebu City

    The Paskuhan sa Barangay is highlighted by nightly cultural presentations from the different universities in Cebu City.

    San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival

    When: whole month of December
    Where: Philippine Christmas Village, San Fernando, Pampanga)

    The San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival is highlighted by huge lanterns measuring 14 to 18 feet in diameter delight spectators with their kaleidoscope patterns

    Kamundagan Festival

    When: whole month of December 
    Where: Naga City, Bicol

    The Kamundagan Festival features “Kiti-Kiti,” “Pastoras,” Bikol Song Festival, and other cultural events in the region.

    Subayan Keg Subanon

    When: December 1 to 8
    Where: Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental

    The Subayan Keg Subanin is characterized by trade fairs, a street theater performance, and songs and dances depicting the rich Subanon cultural heritage.

    Pasko sa Tanjay Festival

    When: whole month of December
    Where: Tanjay, Negros Oriental

    The Pasko sa Tanjay Festival is a month-long Christmas festivity featuring cultural presentations and contests.

    Fiesta de Agoo

    When: December 5 to 8
    Where: Agoo Civic Center, Agoo Basilica, La Union

    Fiesta de Agoo features a Lantern festival, coronation of Miss Agoo, the awarding of Bannuar ti and Dakilang Datu Awards.

    Sinadya

    When: December 5 to 8
    Where: Roxas City, Capiz

    Sinadya features a fireworks display, a grand parade, food festival, and the Capiz dance festival.

    Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion

    When: December 8
    Where: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 

    The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a grand celebration in honor of the city’s patroness and is highlighted by a parade of several images of Virgin Mary.

    Pagdiwata

    When: December 8
    Where: Palawan)

    The Pagdiwata is the Tagbanuas’ feast of thanksgiving for a bountiful rice harvest, along with food offerings to deities and departed kin, as well as rite in which men partake rice wine with the spirits. After the harvest, the Tagbanuas gather in the house of the babaylan or the priestess whom the spirits speak to.

    Dad-Iw Day-eng Chants

    When: December 8
    Where: Bakod, Benguet

    This festivity is a celebration of Ibaloi, Kankana-ey tribal songs and local dance.

    Karisyohan Han Pasko Ha Palo 

    When: December 10 to January 6
    Where: Palo, Leyte

    The Karisyohan Han Pasko Ha Palo is composed of the Misa de Gallo, a cultural show and a Christmas eve choral concert at Palo Cathedral.

    Philippine International Lantern Parade

    When: December 14
    Where: Asia World Complex Roxas Blvd. and Quirino Grandstand

    The Philippine International Lantern Parade is a grand colorful parade featuring lanterns from different countries along with local bands, indigenous groups, vintage cars, and calesas.

    Simballay Festival

    When: 3rd week Nabunturan
    Where: Davao Province

    The Simballay Festival is a week-long festival highlighted by Mansaka dances, neo-ethnic shows, street dancing and a grand parade.

    Shariff Kabunsuan

    When: December 15 to 19
    Where: Cotabato City

    This is a festival to commemorate the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan and Islam to Mindanao.

    Maytinis Festival

    When: December 24
    Where: Kawit, Cavite

    The Maytinis Festival is a town-wide re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a room on the eve of Christ’s birth.

    Salubong

    When: December 29
    Where: Plaridel, Bulacan

    The Salubong is a procession of dancing women, horses and calesas to fetch the Santiago Maria Moros from Barangay Sipet.

    Have you been to any of these festivals? How was your experience? We would love to hear your story about it. If not, would you be interested to see one of these festivals?



    *All information were taken from the Tourism Promotions Board website. Edits were made to enhance the descriptions] of each festival.
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    6 comments

    1. Agree po kaya maganda din mag attend ng festival kasi nalalaman natin yung history ng lugar nila. iba pa din kasi yung may idea tayo sa bawat lugar. Ako nakaattend pa lang ako ng festival yung dito sa amin sa bicol.

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    2. Never papo akong nakapag attend sa mga ganitong festival. Pero sana soon. Maranasan ko din po.. Para naman magkaroon ako ng idea kahit papaano sa bawat lugar..

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    3. Never papo akong nakapag attend sa mga ganitong festival. Pero sana soon. Maranasan ko din po.. Para naman magkaroon ako ng idea kahit papaano sa bawat lugar..

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    4. our country is rich in traditions and festivals are part of it. brought to us by different nations but mostly from the Spaniard invasion. From January to December there are a lot of celebrations that we could look out for and maybe help us plan to have a visit

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    5. Truly Indeed that All this kind Festival in every Month was memorable, sobrang Hindi Mo makakalimutan bawat Moment, dahil talagang sobrang magEenjoy ka.. at sarap balik-balikan ang mga magagandang Memories and History sa kwento ng mgaa festival na yun...

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    6. Ang daming festivals dito sa Pilipinas. Ang saya saya kapag may fiesta. Nakakamiss lang kasi every year naglolook forward natin ito. Salamat at napasama at Masskara Festival ng mga Bacolodnon.

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