Top 9 Famous Festivals in the Philippines - PHBus Tickets Ferry Online Booking

There’s no party like a Filipino fiesta! Food, dancing, music, and costumes are staples for a Filipino festival. Scroll down below to see the most famous festivals in the Philippines. Mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss out on these yearly events.

Table of Contents

1 Famous Festivals in Luzon Philippines
2 Famous Festivals in Visayas Philippines
3 Famous Festivals in Mindanao Philippines
4 Where to Stay in the Philippines
5 Related Destinations

Famous Festivals in Luzon Philippines

Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival

Festival Date: Whole Month of February

What to Expect: “Panagbenga” translated means “a season of blossoming”⁠—an apt name for a festival that highlights Baguio’s flowers! Celebrations last all month long, but the anticipated float parade and street dancing happen during the last week of the festival. If you’re planning to catch Panagbenga, make sure to book your travel arrangements early. Buy tickets to Baguio here.

Pampanga’s Giant Lantern Festival

Festival Date: Middle of December

What to Expect: San Fernando, Pampanga is well known for its quality Christmas parols or giant lanterns. A yearly competition is held to come up with the best parol design. Deliberation occurs on the festival date, which is the weekend before Christmas. The government allows a subsidy for each village, but the locals also chip in to fund their unique creations. Pampanga’s parols can reach up to 20 feet in height!

Marinduque’s Moriones Festival

Festival Date: Holy Week

What to Expect: Marinduque’s Moriones Festival depicts the tale of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side during the crucifixion. The blood of Jesus fell on Longinus’ blind eye, thus converting him to Christianity. The masked soldiers or the Moriones look for Longinus throughout the week-long festival, all the while performing pranks and being playful with the townsfolk.

At the end of the week, the appointed Longinus is captured and sentenced to death for his newly found faith. During the festival, the locals also pay to re-enact the Passion of Christ. Each town in Marinduque has its own version of this religious festival.

Famous Festivals in Visayas Philippines

Cebu’s Sinulog Festival

Festival Date: Third Sunday of January

What to Expect: Cebu’s Sinulog is a Filipino festival that commemorates the country’s conversion to Christianity. In history, the pivotal moment was when Ferdinand Magellan gifted the Santo Niño statue to Rajah Humabon of Cebu.

The Sinulog festival is notorious for its grand parade and street parties. Partying and drinking are not allowed within a 300-meter radius of the procession, but if you venture out further, you’re likely to find a street party. Get ready to be smeared with paint and doused with water! If you want in on Sinulog, prepare for your Cebu trip as early as now.

Bacolod’s MassKara Festival

famous festivals philippines — *Photo credits to @gaiuscabrera on Instagram*

Festival Date: Fourth Sunday of October

What to Expect: 1980 was a difficult year for Bacolod due to the sugar crisis and the tragedy of MV Don Juan. To bring back hope and happiness to the people, the mayor introduced the MassKara festival. Ever since then, Bacolod came to be known as the “City of Smiles”. The festival’s popularity grew, so now tourists from all over come and participate in the festivities. Highlights of the festival include fashion shows, concerts, pageants, trade fairs, and street dance competitions. If you’re planning a visit, get dibs on plane or ferry tickets as early as now. here.

Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan Festival

Festival Date: Third Sunday of January

What to Expect: The Ati-Atihan festival is another Visayan cultural event that honors the Santo Niño. Before it became a religious festival, the Ati-Atihan was a remembrance of how the Negrito and Maraynons lived peacefully together. The tribal dance competition takes the main stage of this Filipino fiesta. Unlike other festivals, anybody can dance along with the locals! Other things to look forward to are the community mass, parades, and a masquerade ball.

Famous Festivals in Mindanao Philippines

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival

Festival Date: Second half of February to March 10

What to Expect: The Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay celebrates the founding anniversary of Bukidnon as a province. The festival is also a time of great pride for Bukidnon’s tribal groups as they get to showcase their culture through their own clothes, chants, dance, and sports. The Kaamulan Festival is one of a kind because it’s the only ethnic festival in the Philippines. The festival’s indigenous rituals and ceremonies have been well preserved over the years.

Zamboanga’s Hermosa Festival

Festival Date: Whole Month of October

What to Expect: Also known as Fiesta Pilar, Zamboanga’s La Hermosa Festival is a tribute to the miraculous image of the Lady of Pilar. Locals continue to have great faith in her because of all the miracles that have been told. To kick start the festivities, the colorful vintas or native boats race each other during Regatta de Zamboanga. Hermosa Festival’s key events are the pageant, fashion show, singing contest, and dancing competition. Don’t miss this renowned festival in Mindanao by reserving your ticket way ahead.

Davao’s Kadayawan Festival

Festival Date: Third week of August

What to Expect: The Kadayawan Festival is a tribute to life, harvest, health, and all things good. It is a time of thanksgiving for the people of Davao. Being one of the most awaited festivals in Mindanao, the Kadayawan festival has a lot to offer: talent shows, games, trade fairs, and floral floats. Like every Filipino fiesta, expect lots of bright costumes and dancing!