7 Most Popular Festivals In The Philippines by MyProperty

Part of touring the Philippines is experiencing its fun-filled, colorful fiestas. Don’t fret about missing any of the festivities because there will surely be a festival or two every month. But if you’re looking for festivals that attract the most crowds, here are seven of the most popular festivals in the Philippines:

Panagbenga (Baguio City)

If you love flowers and a chilly breeze, Baguio City’s Panagbenga is the suitable feast for you. Also known as the “Season of Blooming,” Panagbenga honors Baguio’s booming flower industry that has attracted millions of people from all over the Philippines and even abroad. 

The first Panagbenga Festival was held in the aftermath of the disastrous Luzon earthquake that happened in 1990. The celebrations were to encourage the people who were affected by the tremors. Since then, Panagbenga is held every first of February, with activities including street dancing, bazaars, trade fairs, and an array of contests. 

Pahiyas (Lucban, Quezon Province)

At the Pahiyas Festival, you can see stunningly bright decorations, which is why the festival is one of the most colorful and elaborate celebrations in the Philippines. In contrast to most Philippine festivals where you’ll see street dancing, Pahiyas highlights houses decorated with colorful food items and handicrafts. The homes feature grand displays of fruits, vegetables, and kiping–a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice dough. 

Pahiyas is held every May. It is meant to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of laborers, peasants, and farmers. The decorated houses are picture-perfect, plus you may bring a basket and pick produce from the walls for free. There will also be a contest that awards the town’s best-decorated house.

Moriones (Marinduque)

The Moriones Festival makes Marinduque one of the top destinations in the Philippines during the Lenten season. Men and women wear Roman soldier costumes and intricately carved “Morion” masks as they march down the streets. These costumes are the festival’s main highlight as they attract huge crowds. 

The Moriones festival retells the story of Longinus, the Roman Centurion who pierced Jesus Christ with a lance as he hung from the cross. Longinus then converted to Christianity. During the festival, the person playing Longinus must hide from the “Morions.” The townspeople can either find Longinus or help hide him from the “Morions.” 

Sinulog (Cebu City)

Perhaps one of the grandest festivals in the country, Cebu’s Sinulog is also internationally renowned for attracting more than a million attendees every year. You’ll enjoy colorful parades and street dances that aim to link the Philippines’ rich pagan history with its Christian traditions. 

Sinulog is held annually in January. Loud cheers of “Pit Señor!” or an appeal to the Holy Child are a highlight of the feast, as it honors the centuries-old image of the Santo Niño. Besides street dances and pilgrimage to the Infant Jesus, the festival also holds a choral competition and a beauty pageant.

Ati-Atihan (Kalibo, Aklan)

Before Sinulog, the Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan was the first feast that paid tribute to the Santo Niño. Being the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals,” Ati-atihan began as a pagan festival that honored and worshipped the anitos before becoming the colorful Christian feast as we know it. Ati-atihan is a week-long event that starts on the 3rd Sunday of January. Spectators will see performers dressed in indigenous costumes and colorful makeup dancing to catchy tribal beats.

MassKara (Bacolod City)

The MassKara Festival parallels a “giant masquerade party” with Latin-inspired music and intricate ensembles. In fact, the National Geographic magazine selected MassKara Festival as one of the 12 events that tourists must experience in October. 

The smiling masks are a testament to the city’s ability to rebound from calamities. The celebration was aimed to lift the spirits of people struggling from a sugar crisis and the devastating shipwreck of the MV Don Juan in 1980. Through the years, MassKara uplifts the people of Bacolod through colorful and glittering masks, gigantic puppets, food festivals, live music, street dance competitions, and a parade of illuminated floats.

Kadayawan (Davao City)

Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival is arguably the biggest and grandest festival in Mindanao. The festival is held every August and celebrates Davao’s abundance by showcasing the region’s bountiful harvests of flowers, fruits, and other fresh produce. It also pays tribute to Davao’s ethnicity and the diversity of its indigenous tribes. 

At Kadayawan, different tribes celebrate their unity and diversity by sharing their respective dances and thanksgiving rituals. You’ll also witness a street dancing parade, a week-long street food fiesta, songwriting competitions, beauty pageants, stunning fireworks displays, and eye-catching floral floats.

Festivals are an integral part of Filipino culture. They add color, vibrance, and insights to those witnessing them. Add these Pinoy festivals to your Philippine trip itinerary.

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