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.
Higantes Festival is a month-long artistic, cultural, and religious festival held in the town of Angono, Rizal, Philippines every November. Dedicated in honor of St. Clement of Rome, also known as Pope Clement I, and as thanksgiving for good harvest, it is known for its grand fluvial parade in Laguna Lake and colorful giant puppets […]
Panaad sa Negros Festival is a agricultural, cultural, and environmental festival held in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines every April. Considered the mother of all festivals in the province and also its summer festival, it gathers all of its cities and municipalities that participate in various activities, competitions, and events. It is also a […]
MassKara Festival is a cultural and inaugural festival held in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Philippines every fourth Sunday of October. A month-long celebration, it is known as one of the biggest festivals in the country and for its Carnival-esque street parades complete with performers in colorful, ornamented masks and tribal wear. Masks are all […]
Moriones Festival is a folk-religious festival held in the island of Marinduque, Philippines during Holy Week usually in the month of March and/or April. A movable festival, its schedule relies on the timing of the Jewish Passover. It is widely known for penitents in elaborate mask and costumes. Furthermore, it is listed as one of […]
Panagbenga Festival is a cultural, flower, and environmental festival held in Baguio City in Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines beginning in the first of February every year. The only festival in the city, its calendar of activities lasts over a month and likewise celebrates indigenous people in Cordillera. It is singularly marked with colorful grand […]
Pahiyas Festival is a food, harvest, and religious festival in honor of San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Worker) held in the town of Lucban, Quezon, Philippines every 15th of May. It is officially named Lucban San Isidro Pahiyas Festival. Blending religious veneration to the saint, the town’s patron and the patron of farmers in […]
Dinagyang Festival is a cultural and religious celebration in honor of Sto. Niño that is held in Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines every fourth Sunday of January. It is also a tribute to the oral tradition of Barter of Panay, where aborigines reportedly agreed to exchange their territories with gifts from Malay settlers. Over the years, […]
Sinulog Festival is a cultural, historical, and religious festival held in honor of the Sto. Niño de Cebu in Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines every third Sunday of January. Officially named Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival, it is considered one of the grandest and largest festivals in the country that attract a crowd of over a million people […]
Ati-Atihan Festival is the annual cultural and religious festival in honor of Santo Niño in Kalibo, the capital of the province of Aklan in the Philippines, that is held every third Sunday of January. When Bishop Gabriel Villaruz Reyes was appointed to the diocese, he recommended the local government to change the name of the […]
Buglasan Festival is the ‘festival of all festivals’ in Negros Oriental, Philippines that is scheduled every last week of October. It is a grand celebration of culture and heritage in the province that is held mostly in its capital, the city of Dumaguete. Initiated and funded by the provincial government, it is a ten-day gathering […]