Calendar of Philippine Festivals and Monthly Observances / Theme

A Chinese New Year celebration participated by the Filipino-Chinese community (Albay Chapter) featuring various activities i.e., Dragon/Lion Dance, Chinese Cultural Program, ancestral veneration within a mass, among others.

Kuyamis Festival is the grandest festival in Misamis Oriental, gathering all its towns & cities in Cagayan de Oro City for a week-long non-stop merrymaking. One of the activities that highlight the event is the Kuyamis Festival Street Dancing . It is an annual festivity of thanksgiving and acknowledgment to the customs of the “lumads” who thrived in Misamis with a variety of sweet coconuts as their best food stuff.

A celebration of songs, culture and heritage of the Higaonon Tribes of Balingasag.

This 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.

Celebrated annually every 3rd Sunday of January in honor of Sr. Santo Nino and in
commemoration of the arrival of the saint’s image in the Philippines and in the City of
Pagadian. The Catholic Church spearheads re­ enacbnent on the arrival of the Sto. Nino image through procession. Pasalamat Festival is highlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits. the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows as well a a civic military parade.

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

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!”

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.

In appreciation of the beautiful God- given nature, the Karonawan Fish-Tival is a celebration of the beauty and bounty of Bato in order to inject and instill the importance of preserving and conserving the these natural resources as major sources of food and as potential tourist attractions.

The festival commemorates the 1814 catastrophic eruption of Mayon Volcano which buried the Cagsawa church and hundreds of people. To date, the Cagsawa Ruins Park which is one of the popular atractions in Bicol became the center of activities of the week-Iona festivitv.

A month long festival showcasing the region’s arts and culture, crafts and agro-industrial products of the different provinces and cities of the region. It coincides with the celebration of the National Arts Month. Various activities are lined up which include Festival parade, Essay Writing and Poster Making Contest. Laro ng Lahi, Fashion Show, etc.

Sunggod Ta Kamanga” is a celebration of Manobo culture. It is a tradition of lumads in preparation of farm activities and farm implements. Live chicken and pig are sacrificed. Their blood spread on farm tools and asking the “Mambabaya’ (GOD) for the safety and for the abundant harvest through rituals.

A series of activities highlighted by the street dancing and tableau competition, Paratuan Ritual (installation of New Ethnic Leader), Padtungan ta Kasal Ritual ( A tribal Wedding Ceremony). Tribal people from the Manobo Pulangihon and Manobo Matigsalog of the rich and progressive first-class Municipality of Quezon in the province of Bukidnon were joined by the convergence of over a thousand visitors, spectators, and tourists.

A popular religious festival where devotees flock to the shrine of Birhen sa Lourdes to light candles to renew their vows and ask for petitions and blessings. Part of the festival are procession, parade, cultural show, and trade fair.

Patunob sa Birhen sa Lourdes is a ritual of healing officiated by women healer devotees of Binuangan. To add, Patunob is a Visayan word for “to be stepped on”. It is a rite where the image of the Blessed Virgin is lightly placed on the person’s shoulders & head.

A weeklong celebration of Sibugaynon (people of Zamboanga Sibugay) is a commemoration of its founding day as a Province. Sibug – Sibug Festival is celebrated
every February with its highlight fixed on February 26. During the event, the streets are
decked with colorful buntings and filled with throng of onlookers waiting for the colorful
street dancing depicting wedding and healing rituals, way of life of indigenous people groups, and themes to communicate advocacies.

Kagang is a crab specie common to seven (7) coastal barangays of Dapitan comprising Taguillon, Banbanan, Carang & Baylimango. Kagang Festival started way back February 2014 and is celebrated annually since then. The festival features the traditional way of cooking kagang which will be offered for visitor experience. The event was organized to revive the waning interest and preserve authentic and traditional flavorful dishes where kagang is the main ingredient.

A week – long celebration of the MAHAGUYOG Festival, characterized by street parades, pageantry, and a lot of merry – making.  It is an annual festival every Saturday of February as a prelude to the feast day of St. Thomas of Aquinas, the town’s Patron Saint, as a gesture of gratitude and a way of thanksgiving of the farmers for the bountiful harvest of crops they reap the whole-year-round.  It also supports the One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) program of the National Government that promotes livelihood and entrepreneurship through agri-tourism.

A festivity which commemorates the Cityhood anniversary of Ligao. It is highlighted streetdancing showcasing the colorful sunflowers where it abundantly grows along the Kawa-Kawa Natural Park.

An annual celebration that highlights the abundance of Crabs in the Municipality of Lala. Activities include a crab/ocean themed grand street dancing parade, crab races, biggest crab contest and an agri-trade fair

Malasimbo Festival has four pillars: music, arts, indigenous people, and environment. The festival is well known for bringing some of the most versatile musicians. In the event, the Malasimbo grounds is decorated with world-class artwork by various talented Filipino and visual artists, also showcasing indigenous peoples’ work.

World Theatre Week is an occasion for theatre artists of varied disciplines in performance and media arts to celebrate the power of Theatre to bring people together and an opportunity to share with audiences the wealth of each country’s heritage, history, habitat, theatrical traditions and expertise modeling cultural caregiving for marginalized sectors and disadvantaged youth exemplified in the Philippine program of the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble honored as UNESCO Artists for Peace;

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

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.

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 Visitaa 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.*

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.

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

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

A celebration of the beauty and bountry of Caramoan Island, highlighting its industrv and cultural heritage.

A festival which aims to feature the customs, traditions and cultural arts of Malinaonons, the highlight of which is the Street Dancing Competition.

One of the most awaited event in the province of Camarines Norte which promotes local culture and tourism in the municipality of San Vicente,

Hold on to your horses, caballeros, its rodeo time in Masbate once again! Feel the excitement as our local cowboys pit their brains against bovine brawn in western style rodeo events like bull riding and steer wrestling, apart from our local games like the good old carabao race. So put on them boots and saddle up – its gonna be a rope-slingin’, dist- kickin’, cowpunchin’ affair.

As the term suggests, Bantayog festival features the storied First Rizal Monument or ·unang Bantayog ni Dr. Jose Rizal” which is the centerpiece of the celebration. It is held in conjunction with the province foundation anniversary.

During the Holy Week, devotees journey to Camiguin island and hike around the 64 km circumferential road as form of sacrifice either in fulfilment of a vow or as penance of sins. Masses, Catholic rites and rituals, Stations of the Cross in the Old Vulcan hill are regular activities during this season.

‘Sakayan’ is the local term for small boat with outrigger used for fishing. With fishing as the primary means of livelihood sakayan’ is symbol of the humble lifestyle of fisherfolks who rely on the generosity of the seas where they draw their sustenance from the sale of their daily marine harvest. The newest festival in the region, it is celebrated with dances accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of drums and kulintangan, a musical instrument of the Muslims.

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.

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

Formally known as Catanduanes Abaka Festival, Abaca Festival showcases the life and resilient spirit of the Catandunganon and its culture, as well as the uniqueness and exoticness of the island and its people. It celebrates the fiber industry and its products, which is Catanduanes’ and Bicol’s main materials for its handicrafts. Highlights of the festival include streetdance competition, float parade, trade fair, fashion show among others.

A week-long festivity coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia. The festival name was taken from a local world “layag· or sail boat which is a primitive means of transportation of the early people of Rapu-Rapu. It depicts the peoole’s journey of faith

A week-long celebration of the Foundation Anniversary of the province of Camarines Sur. The festival features numerous activities such as cultural expositions, sports events, beauty pageant, procession and Grand parade.

Celebrating the crystal anniversary of the Sarung Banggi Festival this year, this colorful and igniting festivity commemorates the birth of the composer of the immortal love song Sarung Banggi, Potenciano V. Gregorio. It is known for the annual Parade of the Dancing lights where every barangay showcases impressive interpretation of the song, Sarung Banggi. Contingents parade their dazzling cultural presentations along with their Spanish era portrayed costumes downtown after twilight. Another main event is the Potenciano wanna-be composers competition.

Held in time for the town fiesta celebration, the festival focus on the advocacy of the LGU in the protection and preservation of its rich natural resources including the manta rays as well as in the promotion of ecotourism attractions in the area.

A festival which ushers the •Butanding” (Whaleshark) season and a thanksgiving for its blessings to the people of Donsol. Now that they are back, the festivity features regatta, fluvial parade with boats carrying colorful banners and giant images of the butanding along the Donsol River, a street parade of life-size images of the butandings on floats accompanied by barangay delegations. brass bands, drum and bugle corps, and festival street-dancing continQents.

A festival that portrays and reflects the place, people and heritage linking and tie-up semblance of inspiration and pride of the people of San Pascual working as one people towards community development

Highlighted by a street dancing and agro-industrial fair which expresses local folk’s gratitude for their town’s name etymology and signifies the abundant presence of rooster available in the locality. Held also in celebration of their Black Nazarene’s Feast Day on Mav 13.

A colorful cultural festival of pagan origin, and is derived from the dialect “Alinsangan”, a word that describes the characteristics of the people living the in the early settlements. It is a festival showino fertilitv and thanksgiving.

P’GSALABUK is a Subanen term that means “togetherness”. It is a depiction and celebration of the peaceful unity and myriad interplay of culture of the bi-people -the Christians, Muslims, and ‘lumads’ (indigenous people groups) inhabiting the city. It is celebrated annually with pageantry and series of activities such as trade fairs and exhibits, conferences and competitions.

The festival showcases Pili – an indigenous crop of the Bicol region, particularly abundant in Sorsogon. The festival aims to emphasize its importance, and heightens awareness of the pili’s various economic uses.

Commemorating the Dimasalang town’s founding anniversary, the festival’s highlight is the Street Dancing and showdown competition that will showcase the dance festival of every barangay in the municipality.

The festival was derived from its town’s legend “Pulang-Angui”, a vibrant captivating woman who love to wear red-colored dresses. It celebrates, and depicts the town’s rich and unique socio-cultural talents and qualities of its people, verdant ewco-tourism assests and distinct trade and delicacies of the place.

An annual commemoration of the City’s Founding Anniversary and the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the City’s Patron Saint. It comprises various activities geared towards the preservation of Tabaco City’s rich cultural heritage. The Festival’s highlight is the Tabak Festival Street dancing.

A colorful festival showcasing the province’ primary agri-product, the sweetest “queen• pineapple called Formosa. Featured are float exhibition, street dancing presentation, agro- industrial fair, talent/skills beauty competition and many more interesting activities.

A festival based on the roots of the town of which its name was derived. It features cultural street parade, exhibit, sail boat race, beauty pageant, fiesta celebration, etc.

The town of Camalig is famous for Bicolanos culinary specialty – the laing or pinangat, hence, the celebration of the festival which also showcases the municipality’s rich cultural heritage. It is also held in conjunction with its town fiesta.

An annual celebration of the foundation day and town fiesta of the Municipality of Camaligan, the highlight of which is the Kamalig Street Dance Competition

As the “rice granary of Albay”, the festival reflects on the town’s main source of living, “paroy” or rice. It features various activities including street parade, sports fest, and many more.

An occasion of merriment, excitement and reckoning the value of culture, tradition and potentials of Malilipot, The festival’s highlight is the Street Presentation and Exhibition (Sayaw Paralubid). The festival also coincides with the observance of the Feast of Mt. Cam1et that will bring out the spirit of Piety amidst the days of gaiety.

The festival depicts the reputation of the municipality as one of the shipbuilding capitals of the Bicol peninsula during the Spanish colonial period. The celebration honors its Patroness, Our Lady of Mt Cam1el and is highlighted by colorful street dance presentations.

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.

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

Kinabayo is an annual observance of Dapitan  City’s Fiesta in honor of Saint James “the Greater and the Moor Slayer”.  Held every July, Sinug and Kinabayo have become a festivity. Sinug’ is purely veneration using San Francisco Leaves raised high, dancing through the rhythm of the gong or beating of drums as the throng of devotees brings the saint’s image to his chapel. On the other hand, Kinabayo is a unique dramatization of the triumph of the Catholic faith over Mohammedanism believed to have happened through the intercession of the saint in view of his apparition during the battles of Clavijo and Covadonga and the appearance of the Lady of the Pilar.  Modernity has added more color to the festival with the allegorical dance drama presentation of the two events.

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.

A festival showcasing the cultural and natural heritage of the town, showcasing the unique and tasty longganisa products, with the event’s highlights to include the Street Dancing and the Culinaria Longganisa Cooking and Making Contest. Toe festival also coincides with the town fiesta celebration in honor of its Patroness, the Our Lady of Assumption.

An annual celebration of thanksgiving in honor of the town’s Patroness, St. Clare of Assisi. Festival highlights include the Ylau-Raya Grand street Dancing Competition, Special Program in the Arts Dance and Musical Night, Tig-Aw Farmers’ Festival, among others

A showcase of events highlighted by a street presentation participated in by the town’s different public and private schools and sectors gives a week-long of fun and merriment to visitors and local people.

The religious package of devotion and prayer in honor of Albay’s patroness, Nuestra Seiiora de Salvacion (Our Lady of Salvation) is the peak event of the festival, colorfully drawing thousands of devotees and religious groups through a long maritime procession of different local sea vessels on the sea spray of the serene pacific ocean going to the quiet barangay of Joroan, the home of the miraculous image.

It is a fishermen’s celebration of thanksgiving for the blessing and bounty during the seafaring, fishing expedition and fish farming endeavors. The event is also a moment of retrospect and recognition of Mother Nature for having endowed Mercedes with a gift of vast fishery resources, magnificent shorelines and other aquatic potentials and the wise utilization and preservation of ecological balance for the attainment of environmental dignity and beauty.

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.

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

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

A festival depicting Bicol’s earty beginnings as portrayed by the characters in the epic – IBALONG. The name was the nomenclature of Bicol region. It showcases many supemeroes such as Handiong, Ballog, Bantong, among others. Highlight is the street presentation as well as the Mayon Triathlon participated by national and international triathletes and adventure enthusiasts.

It is a local dance art festival that originated from the graceful movements of hovering birds known as seagulls or the LAPAY, found abundant in Barangay Bantigue, Masbate. Flocks of lapay seagulls created a marvelous scenery and inspired the old folks to come up with a local folk dance, that since then has exited and has become an important aspect of the local culture of the people of Brgy. Banitgue and the entire Masbate.

Traslacion is the transfer of the Image of INA from the Basilica to Naga Cathedral, carried by hundreds of male devotees. It marks the start of festivity and the 9-day Novena Mass in honor of the Feast of the Our Lady of Penafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region.

A festival based on the epic Busig_on of Labo town, which exemplifies heroism and Bicolano values. The festival features the town’s distinct historical values and sentiments through talent and skills competitions featuring the town’s places of interest.

“Dahunog” is one of the most ceLebrated festivals in Dipolog where marching bands converge for a parade and compete by showcasing talents to produce the most thunderous, lively and entertaining musical revelry.’ Dahunog [da.ht.i.nug.}is a Cebuano word which means rumbling sound. During the event the city streets resonate with the sounds played by the bands specially the drums, thus the name of the festival.

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

This features a cultural show, trade fair, and a street dance depicting the archangels’ victory over the “Black” Angels.

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

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

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

Celebration of the province’ anniversary and tribute to its founder. The festival’s major component is the International Surfing Competition at Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes.Other activities include: street dance “Pantomina”, beauty pageant, agro-industrial fair, grand parade. and surfing competition.

A festival showcasing the culture of Basud. The highlights include the Grand Rahugan ParadeBikol Floksong Singing Competition, among others.

Held to coincide with the Feast of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the festival aims to forge unity and cooperation among the local community, promote culture and arts, which are all geared towards advancement and economic growth of the town.

A celebration held to coincide with the town fiesta. It features the town’s cultural heritage through the conduct of various activities which include Street Dancing, Cultural Presentation. Sports fest and many more.

A 12–day celebration done simultaneously with the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. It showcases the town’s cultural heritage and the growing aspirations of its people. During this event. families, relatives and friends get together, renew kinship and enjoy the festivities.

“Unod” Festival expresses thanksgiving of the people of Castilla, a celebration of the bountiful harvest of root crops of the town and the value of being industrious people.· The festival’s highlight is the street dancing competition.

A festival celebrated by people of Duhaylungsod Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur who are well known  for their peace-loving nature. Through the years, the Subanen’s main source of living is planting rice which is an important aspect of their culture. For the Subanen, harvest season is a time for merrymaking where they come together as one, family and friends, not only for the harvest but also sharing of bountiful blessing, singing, dancing, chanting and feasting altogether on home-made delicacies and ‘pangase’, a rice wine fermented through a traditional process kept and handed down through ancestral lines. The celebration happens every October in time for the harvest season.

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

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

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

A festival showcasing the socio-cultural heritage of Pioduran. The festival highlight is the street dancing parade and competition.

An annual celebration in honor of its Patron, SL Andrew the Apostle. The festival is filled with activities depicting greatness and thanksgiving to the God- given wealth of the sea, the highlight of which is the streetdancing competition

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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