Every town and city in the Philippines have some sort of fiesta or festival to celebrate, commemorate, or to give thanks. And Filipinos don’t just party, we party spectacularly. There are costumes, games, and dances. Also, festivals are the perfect excuse to eat the best food and invite people over.

Want to experience Philippine festivals for yourself? Check out our festival calendar.

January

January 9 – Feast of the Black Nazarene, Manila

The statue of the Black Nazarene is carried into procession through the streets of Manila. It’s an intense day-long activity which is also considered to be the largest religious festival in Asia. Thousands of faithful devotees go to Quiapo Church to fulfill their vow to the Lord.

January 12 – Sinulog Festival, Cebu

Referred to as “the Mother of All Festivals,” Sinulog Festival brings you colorful costumes, beautiful dances, and lively music. This festival honors child Jesus or Sto. Nino. The dances in the festival tell the story of how Filipinos accepted Christianity in their culture.

January 19 – Ati-Atihan Festival, Aklan

Ati-Atihan is one of the oldest festivals in the country, dating back to 800 years. This festival celebrates child Jesus as well. It’s also a thanksgiving celebration in which the Atis dance to give thanks to the new settlers from saving them from famine.

January 26 – Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo

Like the aforementioned festivals, Dinagyang Festival also celebrates child Jesus or Sto. Nino. Street dance is one of the main events at the festival. Locals beat drums and shout “Hala Bira and Viva Senor Santo Nino!” The dance parade is a competition and people take it seriously by pouring their energy and emotions into it.

February

February 16 – Paraw Regatta, between Iloilo City and Guimaras island

This festival is the “The Oldest Traditional Craft Event in Asia” and the “Largest Sailing Event in the Philippines.” Paraw Regatta is a sailboat race that commemorates the first Bornean settlers. Aside from the sailboat race, the organizers also added another event which is a sail designing competition called Pinta de Layag.

February – Panagbenga Festival or Baguio Flower Festival, Baguio City

Panagbenga means “season of blooming” in the local Kankanaey language. The festival only started in the late ‘90s after a devastating earthquake hit Baguio. It’s a month-long event but the main attraction happens by the end of the month when there are tons of flower parades.

April

Holy Week – Moriones Festival, Marinduque

Moriones refers to the Roman soldiers in Biblical times. Importantly, people dress up as them and perform street theater as a form of penitence. During the whole Holy Week, the Moriones march around town and scare children.

May

May 15 – Pahiyas Festival, Quezon

Townspeople of Lucban, Quezon decorate their houses with colorful fruits and vegetables as a way to give thanks to the Lord for their bountiful harvest. The parish priest would also come to their houses and bless their homes.

August

August 11 to 17 – Kadayawan Festival, Davao City

Kadayawan Festival is the celebration of life and thanksgiving in which the Davaoenos put up live performances with competitive dancing, colorful costumes, and product showcases. Moreover, the highlight of the event includes grand floats and mesmerizing dancers.

October

October 20 to 26 – Lanzones Festival, Camiguin Island

A four-day celebration in honor of the Lanzones tree and its delicious fruit. Camiguin Island is famous for its Lanzones fruit and in order to give thanks to it, they made a festival out of it. The festival consists of cultural shows, beauty pageants, and street dancing.

October 25 – MassKara Festival, Bacolod

Street dancers, colorful costumes, elaborate masks, and pretty headdresses are what the MassKara Festival is all about. It’s the “happiest and the most colorful festival in the Philippines.” Thousands of visitors come to the City of Smiles to witness fun concerts, food fests, and street parties.

November

November 22/23 – Higantes Festival, Angono, Rizal

Higantes Festival is one of the most unique festivals in the Philippines. It started when the locals created a giant paper-mache to mock Spanish hacienda owners. The higantes are measured at four to five feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height.