Description of Festival

Pista ng Mahal na Nazareno (Feast of the Black Nazarene)

Location: Quiapo, Manila

Catholics and devotees of the Black Nazarene come together in what has always been an all-day intense procession carrying the huge cart where the Black Nazarene lies. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to Philippines (Manila) to be a part of the procession of the Black Nazarene.

Ati-Atihan Festival

Location: Aklan

One of the grandest street parties in the Philippines, this feast celebrates the Sto. Niño. It is held on every third week of January in Aklan, and is more popularly known around the world as Ati-Atihan. During this event, the locals of Aklan and tourists put marks on their faces similar to masks. They are supposed to resemble Negritos who are dancing to vibrant ethnic music produced mostly by drums and other local instruments.

Sinulog Festival

Location: Cebu

Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental The festival commemorates the Filipino people’s pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

The main feature is a street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño.

Pasungay Festival in San Joaquin (Bull Fighting Festival)

Location: IloIlo

Pasungay is an annual festival held in the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo. Local people say that the Pasungay begun when two furious bulls were set loose by the cow keepers and the fighting bulls in the hillside was witnessed by the resting farmers. During this festival, spectators cheer as they watch bulls from the town and nearby areas fight. There’s also another annual festival held in the town of San Joaquin on the same day. It’s called Pahibag – the annual horse fight festival.

Dinagyang Festival

Location: IloIlo

Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival held in the city of Iloilo. Anyone attending the Dinagyang Festival must shout the words “Hala Bira” as they dance to the vivacious music along the populated streets. Just like most of the festivals in Philippines, this one is also very colorful and joyful.

Chinese New Year

Location: National

During the last few years, the Chinese New Year has been considered a national holiday.

Panagbenga (Flower Festival)

Location: Baguio city only

Panagbenga Festival is a month-long annual flower festival occurring in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. The term is of Malayo-Polynesian origin, meaning “season of blooming”. The festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers not unlike those used in Pasadena’s Rose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that came from the Cordillera region

Sandugo Festival (Blood Compact Commemoration)

Location: Bohol

Sandugo means “one blood”. The Blood Compact happened between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Sikatuna, chief of Bool (now Bohol), as a sign of friendship and end of hostility. Today, the city of Tagbilaran, Bohol commemorates this event through a feast and some series of interesting local events.

Mahal na Araw (Holy Week)

Location: National

The Philippine Holy Week celebration is a period of wherein devotees reenact the significant moments of Jesus Christ’s life, from the time of his preaching, going through the time of his death, and until his resurrection.

Via Crusis (Way of the Cross)

Location: Cebu City

Occasion: Via Crusis or Via Dolorosa is a religious devotion that takes place in Cebu City and commemorates 14 key events on day of Christ’s crucifixion during the season of Lent. It’s attended mostly by Cebuano devotees and other devotees who voluntarily join the penitential procession to 12 Stations of the Cross found in 12 hectares of rolling hills.

Moriones Festival

Location: Boac, Magpoc, Marinduque

In Marinduque, locals take part in the traditional reenactment of the Crucifixion of Christ with the soldiers or “Moriones” wearing colorful masks and costumes. The Moriones refer to the heartless Roman soldiers. The festival’s highlight is the reenactment of the conversion of Longguinus, the one who stabbed Jesus and was eventually beheaded.

Flores de Mayo / Santacruzan (Flowers of May)

Location: National

Santacruzan is a very popular event in Philippines. During this event people celebrate the finding of the True Cross by Santa Elena. Prior to Santacruzan, a nine-day novena is held honoring the Holy Cross. It is followed by a procession wherein Reina Elena is represented by a beautiful girl accompanied by a boy who shall represent King Constantine. Other girls and boys in the parade represent biblical characters. Well-decorated arches are the highlights of this event. It’s a month-long national festival.

Pahiyas Festival

Location: Lucban, Quezon

Houses are decorated in amazingly colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers. A noodle called “habhab” and the transparent rice tortilla called “kiping” are served during Pahiyas Festival.

Parada ng Lechon

Location: Mambkal Murcia, Balayan, Batangas

Parada ng Lechon means “roasted pork. During this annual event, several roasted porks are decorated and showcased in Balayan. People also pour water during this event. It’s highly recommended to bring some extra clothes when visiting the Parada ng Lechon in June

Pintados / Kasadyaan Festival

Location: Tacloban City

Local people of Tacloban who had tattoos during the Spanish years were highly regarded as courageous. During the Pintados Festival, local and foreign tourists decorate themselves to imitate brave warriors while dancing to vibrant beats of drums.

Peñafrancia Viva La Virgen

Location: Naga City, Camarines Sur

Peñafrancia Viva La Virgen is one of the most important religious celebrations in Naga city. It’s celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the patroness of Bicol. The festival is characterized by a nine-day procession along the Bicol river, and ends with Our Lady of Peñafrancia crossing the river whilst surrounded by glowing candles.

Lemlunay (T’Boli Tribal Festival)

Location: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Lemlunay is an annual festival held at the beautiful lake Sebu. It features original T’boli’s tribal rituals which commence with the sound of gongs and native music. The event is culminated at the Town Plaza where cultural street dancing and ethnic sports, like horse fighting, are held.

Lanzones Festival

Location: Mambajao, Camiguin

The harvest of small round yellow fruit called lanzones is celebrated during the Lanzones Festival. Streets are filled with local dancers and tourists. Cultural shows, parties, parades and beauty pageant are also held. One of the aims of the festival is to show the rich cultural products of Camiguin.

Masskara Festival

Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Also known as the Mardi Gras of Philippines. Bacolod City air is filled with cheerful and outrageous spirits during the Masskara Festival. Young and old participants wear masks and magnificent costumes while dancing around the main streets of the city. The city of Bacolod is also called the City of Smiles.

La Naval De Manila (Procession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval)

Location: Sto. Domingo, Q. C.

The harvest of small round yellow fruit called lanzones is celebrated during the Lanzones Festival. Streets are filled with local dancers and tourists. Cultural shows, parties, parades and beauty pageant are also held. One of the aims of the festival is to show the rich cultural products of Camiguin.

Pinta Flores Festival

Location: Negros Occidental, San Carlos City.

It’s one of the most popular and definitely the most colorful street dancing festival/contest in San Carlos City. This festival is all about flowers and dances, amazing costumes, and the triumph of good against evil. PintaFlores Festival is attended by local and foreign tourists who join the locals in a city-wide celebration.

Higantes Festival (Feast of San Clemente)

Location: Angono, Rizal.

The image of San Clemente is carried by male devotees in a procession during this festival. The devotees wear fishermen clothes and carry fishermen equipment with themselves. The highlight of the festival are the dancing higantes which are paper mache puppets, usually 12 ft. high and about 5 ft. diameter. They are huge and very often shown in different forms and personalities. The procession ends at Laguna de Bay.

Grand Cordillera Festival

Location: Baguio City, Cordillera region.

Tribes and ethnic groups of the Cordillera region come together every year to celebrate life and revive ancient traditions on the last Sunday in November. This region is rich in arts and culture. If you want to see unique street dances, ritual performances or listen to great songs, Grand Cordillera Festival is definitely for you. Besides, it’s a week-long event.

Pagdidiwata

Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Native people of Tagbanua or Palawan celebrate through ritual dances and food offerings to the souls of their departed kin and to their deities. The thanksgiving celebration is held in Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan.

Immaculate Conception

Location: Intramuros, Manila

La Immaculada is the patroness of Intramuros, Manila. During this annual event, a procession is held with more than fifty images of the Virgin Mary from provinces and countries around the world being carried by devotees around the historic place of Intramuros.

Bikol Pastores

Location: Legazpi City, Albay

This extraordinary Christmas tradition takes place in the Bicol City of Legazpi in Albay. During this event, young men and women dressed in their unique colorful shepherd costumes roam around the city, dancing and singing to the tune of “Pastores a Belen”.

Giant Lantern Festival

Location: San Fernando, Pampanga

San Fernando, Pampanga is known for producing the most colorful, magnificent, creative and attractive Christmas lanterns in Philippines. To celebrate the art of lantern-making, an annual festival and competition among lantern-makers is held on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. The contest features giant lanterns that are as big as forty feet in diameter and have many (usually more than thousand) light bulbs.