15 Famous Festivals In The Philippines

The Philippines is a country that values its traditions and culture. It is a land of festivals, where locals and tourists alike come together to celebrate and experience the country’s rich culture. From solemn religious events to colorful street parties, the Philippines has a festival for every occasion. In this article, we will take a closer look at 15 of the most famous festivals in the Philippines. 🎉

The Sinulog Festival

History

The Sinulog Festival is a religious event held every third Sunday of January in Cebu City. It is a celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño, the child Jesus. The festival’s name comes from the Cebuano word sinulog, which means like water current movement. The festival is an important event for the people of Cebu, and it attracts tourists from all over the world. 🙏

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Cebu are filled with people, music, and colorful parades. Participants wear colorful costumes and dance to the beat of drums and gongs. The festival also features street parties, fireworks, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the street dance competition, where participants showcase their creative performances. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Sinulog Festival lasts for nine days, starting on the first Sunday of January and ending with the grand parade on the third Sunday of January. 📅

The Ati-Atihan Festival

History

The Ati-Atihan Festival is one of the oldest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. It is held in honor of the Sto. Niño and the Ati tribe, the first settlers of the island of Panay. The festival dates back to the 13th century, when the Ati people welcomed the Malay settlers by painting their faces black and wearing colorful costumes. 🎨

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, participants paint their faces black and wear colorful costumes. They dance to the beat of drums and chant Hala Bira! The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the street dance competition, where participants showcase their colorful and lively performances. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Ati-Atihan Festival lasts for nine days, starting on the second Sunday of January and ending on the third Sunday of January. 📅

The Pahiyas Festival

History

The Pahiyas Festival is a colorful and vibrant festival held in Lucban, Quezon. It is a celebration of the bountiful harvest and a thanksgiving to San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The festival’s name comes from the word payas, which means decoration. 🎨

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Lucban are filled with colorful decorations made from fruits, vegetables, and rice grains. Houses are decorated with kiping, a colorful leaf-shaped decoration made from rice flour. The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the contest for the best-decorated house. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Pahiyas Festival is held on May 15th, the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. 📅

The Kadayawan Festival

History

The Kadayawan Festival is a thanksgiving celebration held in Davao City. It is a celebration of life, nature, and culture. The festival’s name comes from the Mandaya word madayaw, which means good, beautiful, or superior. 🌺

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Davao City are filled with colorful floats, street parties, and cultural performances. The festival also features a grand parade showcasing the different tribes of Mindanao. The highlight of the festival is the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, a street dance competition featuring colorful and creative performances. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Kadayawan Festival lasts for a week, usually held on the third week of August. 📅

The MassKara Festival

History

The MassKara Festival is a colorful and joyful festival held in Bacolod City. It is a celebration of the city’s resilience and optimism in the face of adversity. The festival’s name comes from the words mass and kara, which mean many faces. 🎭

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Bacolod City are filled with people wearing colorful masks and costumes. Participants dance to the beat of drums and samba music. The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the MassKara Street Dance Competition, where participants showcase their artistic and creative performances. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The MassKara Festival lasts for two weeks, usually held on the fourth Sunday of October. 📅

The Dinagyang Festival

History

The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival held in Iloilo City. It is a celebration of the Christianization of the Ati tribe and their acceptance of the Sto. Niño. The festival’s name comes from the Ati word dagyang, which means revelry or merrymaking. 🎉

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Iloilo City are filled with people wearing colorful costumes and dancing to the beat of drums and gongs. The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the Dinagyang Ati Tribe Competition, where participants showcase their artistic and creative performances. 🎭

How long does the festival last?

The Dinagyang Festival lasts for three days, usually held on the fourth Sunday of January. 📅

The Panagbenga Festival

History

The Panagbenga Festival is a colorful and vibrant festival held in Baguio City. It is a celebration of the city’s flowers and its highland culture. The festival’s name comes from the Kankanaey word panagbenga, which means a season of blooming. 🌸

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Baguio City are filled with colorful floats, street parties, and cultural performances. The festival also features a grand parade showcasing the city’s flowers and its highland culture. The highlight of the festival is the Street Dancing Competition, where participants showcase their artistic and creative performances. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Panagbenga Festival lasts for a month, usually held on the fourth Sunday of February. 📅

The Moriones Festival

History

The Moriones Festival is a solemn and religious festival held in Marinduque. It is a reenactment of the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who pierced the side of Jesus with his spear. The festival’s name comes from the word morion, which means a helmet with a visor. 🙏

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, participants dress up as morions, wearing colorful costumes and helmets with visors. They roam the streets carrying spears and shields, reenacting the story of Longinus. The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. 🎉

How long does the festival last?

The Moriones Festival lasts for a week, usually held on the week before Easter Sunday. 📅

The Higantes Festival

History

The Higantes Festival is a colorful and lively festival held in Angono, Rizal. It is a celebration of the town’s patron saint, San Clemente. The festival’s name comes from the Spanish word gigante, which means giant. 🎉

What happens during the festival?

During the festival, the streets of Angono are filled with people wearing colorful costumes and carrying giant papier-mâché figures. Participants dance to the beat of drums and gongs. The festival also features street parties, parades, and a grand procession. The highlight of the festival is the Higantes Parade, where participants showcase their creative and colorful performances. 🎭

How long does the festival last?