PHILIPPINE FESTIVALSJANUARY

Feast of the Black NazareneJanuary 9-Quiapo, ManilaThis feast is celebrated at the heart of Manila- Quiapo. Devotees come from all over the metropolis to participate in this annual event honoring the hundred-year-old statue of the Black Nazarene.

Sinulog FestivalJanuary 15 or every second Sunday of January-Cebu City

This is an annual festival held in Cebu, which commences nine days before the third Sunday of January.

Ati-Atihan Festival3rd week of January-Kalibo, Aklan

This is a celebration in honor of the Infant Jesus, the town's patron. Ati-Atihan, observed in honor of the Child Jesus. Ati-atihan means 'making like Atis,' that is, pretending to be like the aboriginal natives that once inhabited Aklan. This involves smearing oneself with soot to darken the skin and dressing up in tribal finery. The start of the procession is signaled by drums and whistles, and later punctuated by shouts of "Hala Bira!"

The Dinagyang Festival4th week of January-Iloilo

Dinagyang is a Hiligaynon word extrapolated from dagyang meaning "merrymaking" It celebrates the feast of the Infant Jesus and the pact between the Datus and the locals.

FEBRUARY

Paraw RegattaHeld every third Sunday of February

This festivity features racing events between local outriggers in the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island.

Taytay Hamaka FestivalFebruary 10 to 16-Taytay, Rizal

This is a seven-day event showcasing the artistry, craftsmanship and various talents of the people of Taytay.

TheTinagba FestivalFebruary 11-Sa Iriga City, Camarines Sur

This is a harvest-offering affair for Our Lady of Lourdes. 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 FestivalLas Piñas

This 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.

Baguio Flower FestivalBaguio City

This is a relatively "new" event in the country's summer capital. Similar to the Rose Bowl Parade of the U.S., this festival is highlighted by a parade of floats made entirely of fresh blossoms from local horticulturists.

Ollalion FestivalFebruary 14-Tabuk, Kalinga

The festival celebrates the Kalinga culture through its sports, crafts, and indigenous food.

Babaylanes FestivalFebruary 19-Bago City, Negros Occidental

This highlights the culture of the first settlers of Bago City before the Spanish colonizers arrived. As defined by Negros historians, the babaylan is a doctor, herbalist, artist, adviser, herbalist, seer, diviner and agriculturist.

Kalilangan FestivalFebruary 20 to 27-General Santos City, South Cotabato

This features cultural shows, a civic/military, agro-industrial fair, sports competition, and a beauty pageant.

Kaamulan Festival2nd week of February up to March 10-Malaybalay, Bukidnon

This is a three-day gathering of Bukidnon's various ethnolinguistic groups in Pines View Park. It includes a performance of traditional rituals.  

MARCH

Island Garden City of Samal Festivalfirst week

This is a week-long celebration of Samal's founding anniversary held every first week of March.

Anibina Bulawanun Festivalculminates on March 8-Compostela Valley Province

This is an eight-day multi-themed annual festival that culminates on the province's foundation day, March 8. It is a colorful and joyful celebration of the province's rich agricultural harvests, abundant mineral resources, governance's feats, trade and tourism fair, and a showcasing of the people's culture and traditions. The Al-law Ng Kalomonan (Tribal Day) falls on the 7th day of Anibina.

Holy WeekMarch-April

This is a week-long event honoring Jesus Christ's death on the Cross.  The Palm Sunday is held on the fifth Sunday of Lent where churchgoers bring palm and leaves to re-enact the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.  Holy Thursday is held with a Visita Iglesia where Catholics visit at least 7 churches.  A "Pasyon" or narration of Christ's life through singing is held.  On Good Friday, believers re-enact the sufferings and death of Christ on the Cross.  Easter Sunday is highlighted  by "Salubong" or dawn processions held in various parts of the country.*

Moriones FestivalHoly Week-Marinduque

This is a week-long celebration participated in by male penitents in costumes who parade around town. On Good Friday, they reenact the story of Longinus, a centurion, blind in one eye, who speared Jesus' side. Christ's blood fell on his blind eye, miraculously restoring it, leading to his conversion.

Centurion FestivalHoly Week-General Luna, Quezon

This is believed to be the origin of Marinduque's Moriones Festival and is as colorful.

Ang PagtaltalGood Friday-Jordan, Guimaras

This is a procession of flagellants and devotees in biblical attire that ends in the Balaan Bukid Shrine.

Pangalap RitualGood Friday-Nueva Valencia

This is a ritual where believers crawl through the Catilaran cave chanting prayers in the hope of gaining supernatural powers to ward off evil spirits.

Witches FestivalHoly Week-Siquijor

Siquijor is popularly known throughout the country for "witchcraft".  A "Witches Festival" is held at Crocodile Hill overlooking the Bay of Lazi and the Mindanao Sea.  When the moon is full, the sorcerers, called magbabarang gather herbs, roots and live insects, throw these into a giant cauldron filled with boiling water, then sit in a circle around it while mumbling incantations.  This is followed by dancing and ends in an exclusive ritual in a secluded cave at dawn.

APRIL

Moriones Festival

This is marked by the presence of men wearing masks ("moriones") and garbed in what passes off for Roman centurion costumes to dramatize the story of Longinus, the blind centurion whose sight was restored by the blood that spurted from the side where Longinus speared Christ. This is held during the Holy Week in Marinduque.

Centurion FestivalGen. Luna, Quezon

It recounts the Passion play and is performed on the city's streets.

TurumbaPakil, Laguna

This is a seven-day feast in honor of our lady of sorrows highlighted by a procession and a dance (to the beat of a turumba song).

Lami-Lamihan FestivalApril 14 to 16-Basilan

Began in 1983 by former mayor Wilfrido Furigay, the festival showcases the rich Yakan traditions. This is highlighted by a parade and a horse race.

Kadaugan sa MactanApril 27-Cebu

This is mainly the re-enactment of the Battle of Mactan along the islands' beach.

MAY

Flores de Mayowhole month-Catholic-wide event

Literally translated, it means "Flowers of May"and highlights a procession honoring Virgin Mary. Coinciding with it is the Santacruzan, re-enacting the search of Queen Elena for the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. The town or city's loveliest ladies grace the occasion.

Pasalamat FestivalMay 1-La Carlota, Negros Occidental

This is a labor and thanksgiving festival marked by street dancing and a parade of farm products.

Magayon FestivalMay 1-Albay Province

This is a showcase of Albay's culture and arts marked by exhibits, parades, shows, and sports.

Pista'y Dayat FestivalMay 1-Pangasinan

This is a seaside festival and is the local fishermen's thanksgiving day for a bountiful year.

Boa-BoahanMay 2-Nabua, Camarines Sur

This is a re-enactment of the 13th-century rite of offering chains of coconut embryos called boa to deities. They believe that doing so would mean a prosperous year.

Carabao-Carozza Race FestivalMay 3-Pavia, Iloilo

This is an event where carabaos (water buffaloes) pull decorated bamboo carts in a 400-meter course race.

Lanahan RitualMay 1-3-Balabag, Digos, Davao del Sur

This the ritual performed by the Bagobos involving the making of medicinal oil (lana) after their pilgrimage to Mount Apo.

Balanghai FestivalButuan

This commemorates the coming of the early migrants from Borneo and Celebes.  It is said that they came to Agusan in balanghai or wooden boats.

Tapusan Festivalwhole Month of May-Alitagtag, Batangas

This is a month-long celebration honoring the Holy Cross.

Barangay Boat FestivalMay 11-Aparri, Cagayan

This is a fluvial festival held annually in honor of Saint Peter Thelmo, the town's patron saint.

Carabao FestivalMay 15-Pulilan, Bulacan

This is an event honoring  San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Carabaos are paraded and blessed by the town priest.

Pahiyas FestivalLucban and Sariaya, Quezon

This is a thanksgiving festival to San Isidro Labrador for the past year's bountiful harvest.  The event is popular for the elaborate edible decorations that cover entire houses like fruits and vegetables, most prominent of which are the brightly colored rice wafers known as kiping.  The image of the patron saint is also paraded around town assuring the farmers of a bountiful harvest in the years to come.

Obando FestivalMay 17 to 19-Obando, Bulacan

This festival involves the different dance rituals held for three consecutive days honoring three patron saints: May 17 for St. Paschal (for couples who want a male child), May 18 for St. Claire (for couples who want a female child) and May 19 for the Our Lady of Salambaw (patroness of fishermen).

Pahoy-Pahoy FestivalMay 19 to 25-Calbiga, Samar

Every May, the quaint little town of Calbiga abounds with giant pahoy-pahoy (scarecrows) made of indigenous materials dancing about its streets.   Musical instruments made up of bamboos, cans and stones create the sounds that scare the local maya birds.

JUNE

Naligayan Festival2nd week of June-Agusan del Norte

This week-long festival in Agusan del Norte features socio-cultural shows and fairs involving indigenous groups.  The highlight of the festival is the climb to the top of the waterfalls of Agusan del Sur.

Pagdayao FestivalJune 11-12-Tacloban, Leyte, Masbate

This is a two-day affair, which serves as a thanksgiving feast in honor of the Lord.

Araw ng CotabatoJune 12 - 20-Cotabato

The city of Cotabato in Mindanao celebrates its founding  with special events as the layang-layang or giant kite festival, fluvial parades, banca race and sports competition.

Parada ng mga Lechon (Parade of Roast Pigs)June 24-Balayan, Batangas

Crisp, golden-brown roast pigs are paraded through the streets. As soon as the best decorated roasted pig is announced, the eating commences.

Hibok-Hibok FestivalJune 24-Camiguin Island in Camiguin Island

The event is held in honor of St. John the Baptist and is marked with fluvial processions, parades and water sports.

Daet Pineapple Festivalthird week of June-Daet, Camarines Norte

This is a festival showcasing the famous and sweetest of all pineapples- the Formosa variety- abundantly growing in Daet.  The week-long celebration features sports events, talent and skills competition, an investment forum, cultural shows and concerts, a food fair, an agro-industrial and trade fair, search for Bicolandia Queen, and street dancing contests.

Tacloban Festivallast week of June-Tacloban, Leyte

The festival consists of three major activities: (1) Subiran Regatta - a sailboat race held at the eastern entrance of San Juanico Strait, (2) Balyuan - a pageant reenacting the historic exchange of images between Basey, Samar and Tacloban City, and (3) Pintados Festival where participants paint their bodies and dance to the rhythm of bamboo sticks.

Piat Sambali Festivallast week of June-Piat, Cagayan

In Piat, Cagayan, the colorful celebration is highlighted  by street dancing, cultural shows and a beauty pageant.  This festival commemorates the Christianization of the Ytawes region of Cagayan.

JULY

Sagayan Festival Tubod1st week-Lanao del Norte

This is a festival with a Maranao war dance as a main event. The dance is performed during the Araw ng Lanao del Norte and is participated by all the municipalities in the province. The war dance is complemented by a fan dance performed by Maranao maidens wearing colorful dresses.

Pagoda FestivalJuly 4 - 7-Bocaue, Bulacan

In Bocaue, Bulacan, a feast is held in honor of the Holy Cross of Wawa found in the Bocaue River. The main attraction of the affair is the fluvial parade of the pagoda or decorated barge and colorful small boats.

Sublian sa BatangasJuly 23-Batangas City

This coincides with the Foundation Day of Batangas City. It revives the tradition of dancing the subli, which is indigenous to the province.

Sinulog and Kinabayo FestivalJuly 24 and 25-Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte

The event honors Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte's patron saint St. James.

Sinulog de Tanjay Festivallast week-Tanjay, Negros Oriental

The celebration of the residents of Tanjay, Negros Oriental of this 10-day fiesta features the origin of the old sinulog culture. A parade is held showcasing the clothes locals wear, while the horsefighting presentation re-enacts the battle between the Spaniards and the Muslims.

Kahimoan Abayan Festivallast week-Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, the feast is held in honor of Santa Ana (St. Anne), known to protect the residents along the Agusan River from man-eating crocodiles. The celebration includes the holding of a prayer on boats for safe passage and prosperity.

Sandugo Festivallast week-Bohol

Celebrated in Bohol, this festival commemorates the blood compact between Spaniard Legaspi and Filipino Sikatuna. It includes an agro-industrial exhibit, a trade fair, a beauty contest, street dancing and a re-enactment of the blood compact.

AUGUST

Pangapog FestivalAugust 1 - 7-Samal Island, Davao

This is a thanksgiving festival for a bountiful harvest highlighting the culture of the Sama, the indigenous people of Samal, as shown in the indigenous sports, and other culture-based competitions.

Palu-Palo FestivalAugust 4-5-Basco, Batanes

This is highlighted by a cultural presentation showing the life and times of the Ivatans.

Marang FestivalAugust 5-Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte

Locals celebrate the bountiful harvest of the fruit Marang.

Mercedes FISHtivalAugust 6-11-Mercedes, Camarines Norte

This is a thanksgiving festival by local fisherfolk for blessings received during seafaring, and fish-farming.

Pangasinan Bamboo FestivalAugust 12-Calasiao and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

Pangasinan Bamboo Festival August 12 This is a festival showcasing bamboo products and includes bamboo planting and film exhibitions. Venue: Calasiao and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

Pasaka FestivalAugust 14-Tanuan, Leyte

"Pasaka," the native word for Assumption, is a street spectacle in honor of Our Lady of Assumption.

Lubi-Lubi FestivalAugust 15-Calubian, Leyte

This is a dance festival extolling the many uses of the coconut in homage to Our Lady of Fatima and St. Roque.

Kalibongan FestivalAugust 17- 18-Kidapawan, Cotabato

This is a gathering of Mindanao ethnolinguistic groups like the Bagobos and Manobos. This is highlighted by a horse fight and a Manobo wedding.

Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival3rd week-Davao City

Dabaweños celebrate the annual Kadayawan - a colorful occassion that lasts for five days - as a thanksgiving festival and a tribute to its indigenous peoples. Kadayawan is a native expression in Dabawnon tongue, which means "anything excellent that brings great fortune" from "dayaw" (good), describing a thing that is valuable and superior. Indeed, Davao teems with 'kadayawan,' from its delicious durian to pomelos to waling-waling, to its people. Included in the program is a two-hour showcase participated in by eighty (80) traditional artists belonging to the eight indigenous groups of Davao namely: the Manobo-Ubo, Ata-Matigsalog, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Bagobo-Guiangan, Kalagan, Maguindanao, Maranao and Tausug.

GigantesAugust 19-Lucban, Quezon

On August 19, in the town of Lucban, Quezon, townsfolk trot out their beloved gigantes or giants. Measuring about 14 feet tall, the giants come in pairs, the mag-asawa or couple, a giant man dressed in the peasant's camisa chino or undershirt, and his wife clad in the native patadyong and kimona, a loose skirt topped with a flimsy blouse. Made from papier mache, the giants are borne on shoulders by those who have made a panata (oath) made in return for a favor received. This festivity is shared by Lucban with the town of Angono, Rizal, which holds it in November.

Buyogan FestivalAugust 19-Abuyog, Leyte

Buyogan focuses on the bee locally known as "buyog" from which the town's name originated.

BankatonAugust 20-Lavezares, Northern Samar

This is an annual boat racing contest celebrating the feast of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion, the town's Patroness.

Kagayhaan FestivalAugust 26-28-Cagayan de Oro City

This festival is highlighted by streetdancing participated in by contingents from schools and civic organizations.

Aurora Festivallast Sunday of August to first week of September-Tanjay, Negros Oriental

The festival features evening novenas participated in by more than 40 clans, which culminate in a nocturnal fluvial procession at the Tanjay River.

Hin-ay FestivalSeptember 1-29-Venue: Irosin, Sorsogon

This features a cultural show, trade fair, and a street dance depicting the archangels' victory over the "Black" Angels.

Bicol Food FestivalSeptember 1-30-Naga City

This is a festival of Bicol cuisine: pinangat and laing, bicol Express, inolokan or tilmak, pecadillo and cocido.

Sarakiki FestivalSeptember 1-8-Calbayog City

The festival features street dancers dressed as cocks swaying to the beat of ancient Samareño instruments.

T'boli Tribal Festival3rd week-South Cotabato

This is a gathering of the major ethnolinguistic groups in the province together with representatives from Davao.

Peñafrancia Fiesta Festival3rd Sunday of September-Naga City, Camarines Sur

This is a religious festival honoring Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, the patroness of the Bicol Region River.

Dalit FestivalSeptember 25-Tangub City

This showcases local rituals, dances, and way of life.

Djanggo FestivalSeptember 28-29-Nassiping, Gattaran, Cagayan

This commemorates centuries-old religious and cultural tradition based on the life of St. Michael.

Banigan-Kawayan FestivalSeptember 29-Basey, Samar

This celebrates the banig and the kawayan crafts industry flourishing in Basey.

Linapit Food Sharing FestivalSeptember 30-Gueday, Besno

This is a festival with a delightful pre-planting feast at its core where natives share their food with everyone.

OCTOBER

Halaran1st week-Roxas City

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

Universal Children's Festival1st week-Dapitan City

The festival involves children of locals, dressed in costumes of UN member countries, parading around the city.

Masskara Festival2nd week-Bacolod City

This is a grand Bacoleño celebration marked by carnivals, fairs and masked street dancers.

Ibalong Festival2nd week-Legaspi City

This festival is based on Ibalong, a Bicol epic showcasing legendary superheroes Handiong and Baltog.  

Zamboanga Hermosa FestivalOctober 10-12-Zamboanga City

The festival features a regatta, colorful vintas, banconan flower show, and fireworks honoring the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Zaragosa.

Kasanggayahan FestivalOctober 10-17-Sorsogon, Sorsogon

The festival is itself the foundation anniversary of Sorsogon. The festival's name means "prosperity and happiness."

Feast of La Naval ManilaOctober 11-Quezon City

The image of the Virgin is paraded around town in a colorfully-decorated carriage, which resembles a ship. The image is believed to be miraculous and ensures safe voyage to anyone who prays to it.

Inug-og FestivalOctober 15-Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental

This is held in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Calbayog Grand KarakolOctober 16-Calbayog City

This is a religious celebration of thanksgiving and joyous pageantry of dancing devotees of San Rafael.

Sagingan FestivalOctober 16-17-Tubod, Lanao del Norte

The feast is in honor of San Isidro Labrador with street dancers dressed up in various banana-like costumes.

Megayon Festival3rd week-Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur

This is a colorful harvest festival participated in by the Subanean indigenous group.

Lanzones Festival4th week-Mambajao, Camiguin Island

The festival is held to celebrate the abundance of lanzones fruit in the island marked by a streetdancing competition involving the youth all dressed up in lanzones leaves or fruits. The lanzones is one of the island's most important crops.

Catadungan FestivalOctober 24-Virac, Catanduanes

This festival commemorates the province's independence from Albay.

NOVEMBER

PintafloresNovember 3-5-San Carlos City

This festival is marked by a streetdancing involving the pintados or dancers with tattoos or flowers on their body.

Kalag-Kalag FestivalNovember 13-Cebu City

This restages the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives to lovingly remember departed loved ones.

Sanduguan FestivalNovember 15-Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

This festival reenacts the first contact between the natives of Mindoro and traders from China.

Feast of San Clemente/ GigantesNovember 22-23-Angono, Rizal

This celebration is marked by giant papier mache effigies, natives in wooden shoes and costumes joining the procession of the statue of San Clemente around town.

P'yagsawitan Festival3rd week-Maragusan, Davao Province

This involves performances by indigenous groups of the area, and harvest-related thanksgiving rituals.

Kawayanan Festival3rd week-Capitol Complex, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur

This celebrates the versatility of the Bamboo plant and its importance in the area.

Santa Ipon FestivalNovember 25 to December 25-Santa, Ilocos Sur

This is a thanksgiving celebration highlighted by the catching of the ipon , a small but mysterious fish.

Day-ang Di Onga FestivalNovember 30-Baguio City

This is one of the region's major events featuring young Cordillerans in a day-long event to "celebrate life."

Binabayani Festivallast week-Olongapo, Zambales

This festival re-enacts the war between the Aetas and the Christians through dance.

Paskuhan sa BarangayMonth-long-Parian, Cebu City

This is higlighted by nightly cultural presentations from the different universities in Cebu City.

San Fernando Giant Lantern FestivalMonth-long-Philippine Christmas Village, San Fernando, Pampanga

This is a lantern showcase where lanterns measuring 14 to 18 feet in diameter delight spectators with their kaleidoscope patterns

Kamundagan FestivalMonth-long-Naga City

This features "Kiti-Kiti," "Pastoras," Bikol Song Festival, and other cultural events.

Subayan Keg SubanonDecember 1- 8-Ozamiz City

This involves a trade fair, a street theater performance, and songs and dances depicting the rich Subanon cultural heritage.

Pasko sa Tanjay FestivalDecember 1 to 9-Tanjay, Negros Oriental

This is a month-long Christmas festivity featuring cultural presentations and contests.

Fiesta de AgooDecember 5-8-Agoo Civic Center, Agoo Basilica

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

SinadyaDecember 5-8-Roxas City

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

Hanging of the Green2nd week-Zamboanga City

Children join in the "hanging of the green" signifying the start of the Christmas season.

Feast of the Immaculate ConcepcionDecember 8-Puerto Princesa City

This is a grand celebration in honor of the city's patroness and is highlighted by a parade of several images of Virgin Mary.

PagdiwataDecember 8-Palawan

This is the Tagbanuas' feast of thanksgiving for a bountiful rice harvest along with food offerings to deities and departed kin. The rite involves men and partaking of 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. To the sound of drums and gongs, the babaylan dances to summon the spirits, gracefully first with sheaves of rice then more violently the next (this to clear the air of evil spirits). As soon as she calms down, she begins to chant, at the end of which, she makes an offering of chicken, a sign that the spirits are ready to drink the native brew. As the babaylan takes a sip of the rice wine, the merrymaking begins, lasting until all the wine jugs are emptied.

Dad-Iw Day-eng ChantsDecember 8-Bakod, Benguet

This features the Ibaloi, Kankana-ey tribal songs and dance presentations.

Karisyohan Han Pasko Ha PaloDecember 10 to January 6-Palo, Leyte

This features a Misa de gallo, a cultural show and a Christmas eve choral concert at Palo Cathedral.

Philippine International Lantern ParadeDecember 14-Asia World Complex Roxas Blvd., and Quirino Grandstand

This is a grand colorful parade featuring lanterns from different countries along with local bands, indigenous groups, vintage cars, and calesas.

Christmas Among the TribesDecember 16-Cabarroquis, Quirino

This involves house visitations for Christmas gifts undertaken by the indigenous groups in Quirino.

Simballay Festival3rd week-Nabunturan, Davao Province

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

Shariff KabunsuanDecember 15-19-Cotabato City

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

Pastores BikolDecember 18-Legaspi City

This involves boys and girls in costumes playing the roles of shepherds who rejoice at the birth of Jesus.

Maytinis FestivalDecember 24-Kawit, Cavite

This is a town-wide re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's search for a room on the eve of Christ's birth.

SalubongDecember 29-Plaridel, Bulacan

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