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There are a crazy number of festivals in the Philippines throughout the year. Thus, it doesn’t matter which month you would go, you can expect that there will be a festival that you will be able to enjoy! Imagine? A year full of festivities! Some festivals even last for a month or more, which both attracts the attention of the local tourists and foreigners.
Some festivals are influenced by the Spanish colony from the 1500s which focus on religious traditions while the other festivals are integrated with the significant historical events in the country.
Here are the top festivals in the Philippines that you surely don’t want to miss!
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FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Different festivals in the Philippines are happening throughout the year. You can also plan your trip according to the festivals that are going to happen. I cover the tops festivals from January to December.
JANUARY
Sinulog Festival – Cebu City (Third week/Sunday of January)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
Sinulog Festival is the yearly celebration both celebrated for cultural and religious purposes. The Catholic’s Santo Nino is the centre of this celebration since Catholicism is one of the largest religion in the Philippines, this event is celebrated in the other parts of the country as well. The local government normally produce an event; a street party will be conducted, locals will be performing wearing traditional costumes and dancing traditional dances.
Ati-Atihan – Kalibo, Aklan (Third week/Sunday of January)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
Another celebration to honour Santo Nino, Ati-Atihan is where people will go on a street, parading their traditional costumes and weapons, and painting their whole body in black. Participants go on a march in the whole town dancing depending on the tribe they are representing matched with loud drumbeats. This festival will definitely make you dance your heart out whilst enjoying the true Filipino ambience. Check this Ati-Atihan Gallery for some inspiration.
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Dinagyang Festival – Iloilo City (Fourth weekend of January)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
One of the largest festivals in the country and of the year, Iloilo takes the street festivals to the next level. The city converts all streets into a massive open-air festival and everyone is invited. Mouthwatering local dishes are overflowing whilst there are bands playing in every alley you turn to. Every baranggays and school will come together and go to a dance competition featuring extravagant dances.
FEBRUARY
Panagbenga Festival – Baguio City (February)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
One of the longest festivals in the Philippines, Panagbenga is celebrated throughout the month of February. This month highlights the season of blooming of the flowers, at the same time this is also to commemorate the rise up from the disastrous earthquake in 1990 of Luzon. Marvellous floats designed with various types of flowers will conquer the streets of Baguio City. Tourists can expect street dancing by dancers wearing flower-inspired costumes. Being celebrated in February, expect cold weather up in Baguio City.
HOLY WEEK – MARCH/APRIL
Mariones Festival – Marinduque (Holy Week/March or April)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
A festival that lasted for a week in Marinduque. Mariones is the celebration of the life of St. Longinus. Since most Filipinos don’t work during the Holy Week and this event follows the schedule of the Holy Week, most locals head to Marinduque to celebrate the festival. Morion is what called the helmet worn by centurions whilst Mariones is for the clothes that the people who were looking for St. Longinus, who was hunted by fellow centurions were wearing
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MAY
Pahiyas Festival – Lucban, Quezon (May 15)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
May 15th is when the locals of Lucban decorate extravagantly their houses with vibrant and lively colours. Vegetables will be hanging around as a decoration because this festival is to celebrate the season of harvesting. People are allowed to bring their own basket and pick fresh vegetables from the walls at no charge – happy fiesta and shopping at the same time!
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JUNE
Pintados Festival – Tacloban City (June 29th)
Another religious celebration in the name of Santo Nino, Tacloban City will transform their locals into body-face painted colourful creatures which will fill the street and perform traditional dances. Later on, Pintados and Kasadyaan has been integrated together and are being celebrated on the same date.
AUGUST
Sirong Festival – Surigao del Sur (August 15th)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
Sirong festival is a cultural and religious celebration, various towns claim that it has originated in their municipalities in the provinces of Surigao del Sur. Since most of these towns are founded during the pre-Spanish occupation, they are claiming that they were attacked by the moros. Sirong festival features a war dance between the Muslims and the Christian. It marks the Christianisation of the early Cantilangnons. Winners will bring cash prizes for performing the best dance.
OCTOBER
MassKara Festival – Bacolod City (October 19th)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
A festival that is celebrated from the city of smiles – Bacolod City. Mass (crowd) Kara (face), this festival is filled with young people wearing colourful masks designed with feathers, flowers, native beads, or colourfully painted. Every street will be filled with locals wearing masks and festive costumes dancing around whilst spreading the happy atmosphere throughout the city.
DECEMBER
Giant Lantern Festival – San Fernando (the weekend before Christmas Eve)
Why is it one of the best Festivals in the Philippines?
The city of San Fernando has been called as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” for organising the biggest festival that features a competition of giant lanterns. This is also to celebrate the Christmas season, where participants produce up to fifteen feet diameter lanterns. It is a rule that each lantern should be made out of locally available materials. These lanterns will be out in a parade to each barrio before the midnight mass on the Christmas Eve.
This list is not even half of the actual list of festivals in the Philippines. Make sure to come here on the right date and month to not miss any of these festivals!
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