The Philippines is known the world over as a place of beautiful natural wonders. It attracts millions of foreign tourists who are drawn to its white sand beaches and pristine waters every year. And it is definitely a must-see destination too for its rich and colorful festivals.
Festivals are called fiesta or piyesta locally. They are crowd-drawing events and a prominent annual cultural experience of every Filipino regardless of class and background. These are celebrations that are conducted everywhere, from national down to the level of barangay (the smallest political unit), all year round that the country is famous for being “fiesta islands”.
Below is the list of top festivals in the Philippines.
Pagibang Damara Festival is a cultural, agricultural, and religious festival in the town of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines every second or third Sunday of April. It is a celebration of thanksgiving for an abundant harvest, and it is also held in time with feast day of St. Joseph, the city’s patron. Pagibang Damara Festival […]
Mammangi Festival, also spelled Mammangui Festival, is a cultural festival and founding anniversary of Ilagan City, Isabela, Philippines every first week of May. The founding anniversary is called Aggaw na Ilagan or Ilagan Day. The city celebrates cityhood anniversary every August 11. History of Mammangi Festival In the past, the city celebrates the Binallay Festival. […]
Magayon Festival, also called Daragang Magayon Festival, is a month-long cultural festival in the province of Albay, Philipines every May. Albay also celebrates the Albay Day every April 3. History of Magayon Festival Magayon Festival comes from magayon, which means beautiful, and Daragang Magayon Festival means beautiful maiden (daragang meaning young lady). The festival began […]
Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts, also called Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts, is a cultural and religious festival in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines every first week of May. It is a multi-faceted festival, presenting many aspects of culture and tradition including religious feast day (Feast of Apo Sto. Cristo Milagroso), traditional […]
Gabii sa Kabilin, also known by its translation A Night of Heritage, is a one-night cultural event held in Metro Cebu, Philippines every May. It is conducted as one of the activities in Cebu that coincides with the celebration of the National Heritage Month. Through the years, it has become one of the most-awaited cultural […]
Imbayah Festival, also called Banaue Imbayah Festival, is an annual cultural event in Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines in the last week of April. It is the biggest cultural festival in the province of Ifugao. Imbayah Imbayah is the age-old ceremony and merry-making among Ifugaos that they hold when elevating a person and family to the noble […]
Kadaugan sa Mactan, translated to Victory in Mactan, is held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines every April 27. It is a yearly re-enactment of the Battle of Mactan of 1521, an encounter where local chieftain Lapulapu defeated the Spanish forces and killed Portuguese colonizer Ferdinand Magellan. The result of the battle was the disastrous outcome […]
Aklan Day is the founding anniversary in the province of Aklan, Philippines every April 25. The date is a special non-working holiday pursuant to Republic Act No. 6722 that was signed by President Corazon Aquino on May 29, 1989. An annual trade fair called Piña and Fiber Festival has been simultaneously organized since 1999, and […]
Sakayan Festival, also is traditional boat festival and the Isabela City Cityhood Anniversary celebrated in Isabela City, Basilan, Philippines every April 25. The date might be declared a holiday (such as Proclamation No. 707 in 2019). The city also celebrates the religious fiesta in honor of St. Elizabeth of Portugal every July 8. What is […]
Sulop Founding Anniversary is observed in the municipality of Sulop, Davao del Sur, Philippines every April 24th. The date can be declared a special holiday through presidential proclamations (example, Proclamation No. 472 in 2018). History of Sulop, Davao del Sur Aboriginal groups such as B’laans, Bagobos, and Tagacaolo were the first inhabitants of Sulop. In […]