11 Best Festivals to Join in the Philippines

Travelers are attracted by these celebrations, along with the energetic, colorful, and fun environment they create. In fact, some of the celebrations are some of Asia’s most popular festivals.

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Here is a list of the best and must-see festivals in the Philippines:

11. Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

When: February or March

Where: New Clark City, Tarlac

Unlike most of the traditional festivals in the country, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an extraordinary one and is often hailed as one of the top events in Pampanga.

 This 3-day festivity includes activities such as hot air balloon flying, skydiving, formation flying, paragliding, and aerobatic displays.

People all over the country and across the world gather during February to experience Asia’s longest-running sports event and to celebrate heart’s day with their loved ones.

10. Giant Lantern Festival    

When: December

Where: San Fernando City, Pampanga

Feel the holiday cheer during the Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga. San Fernando City or the Christmas Capital of the Philippines organizes the competition of giant lanterns during the weekend before Christmas Eve.

Participants create gigantic and bright lanterns made from locally sourced materials and parade them to each barrio or town in Pampanga before the midnight mass of Christmas. Add some Pampanga activities or book a stay at Pampanga hotels to make your Christmas holiday more special.

9. MassKara Festival

When: October

Where: Bacolod City

The MassKara Festival is a giant masquerade held at the country’s City of Smiles, Bacolod. Thousands of locals wear colorful masks decorated with flowers, feathers, beads, and paints.

Aside from trying top Bacolod experiences, make sure to participate in the MassKara festival for a complete experience of this top Philippine destination. The sight of locals wearing festive costumes and masks while dancing with the beat of the loud music will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

• Read our travel guide to Bacolod City's MassKara Festival and check out our list of Bacolod Hotels

8. Pintados Festival

When: June

Where: Tacloban City

This is a religious festival celebrated in the name of Santo Niño (Holy Child). The locals of Tacloban parade around the city with their bodies and faces painted with vibrant colors of green and blue, which symbolizes Leyte’s ancestral people.

Locals fill the street and perform traditional dances in honor of Santo Niño. Some dancers also use designs that look like arbors to depict warriors who lived in Leyte decades ago. Join a Tacloban day trip for a complete experience. 

7. Aliwan Festival

When: April

Where: Pasay City

The Aliwan Festival in Pasay City of Metro Manila, is by far one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines. Due to its popularity among Filipinos and international travelers, it is called the “Mother of all Festivals."

• Book a stay at the top Manila hotels

This festivity, which started in early 2003, is known as more of a competition than a festival. It aims to promote diversity in the country, with thousands of participants showcasing their cultures. The winner brings home a million pesos as the cash prize. 

6. Kadayawan Festival      

When: August

Where: Davao City

Davao brings its locals and visitors together in the biggest celebration in the city called  Kadayawan Festival.

It takes place during the third week of August. You can try Davao tours during your stay then watch the joyful festivities that include street dancing, beauty pageants, floral floats, and fireworks displays. Locals also showcase flowers, fruits, and other products from the city. For a hassle-free experience during your Davao itinerary, book a stay at the top Davao hotels.

5. Dinagyang Festival

When: January

Where: Iloilo City

The people of Iloilo take street dancing to a whole new level during the Dinagyang Festival. 

The whole city of Iloilo transforms into a huge street party complete with bands in every corner and street performers. Mouthwatering and overflowing local delicacies and drinks are served while watching the performances. Towns and schools also compete against each other on a street dancing contest. 

4. Pahiyas Festival

When: May

Where: Lucban, Quezon

During the month of May, Lucban showcases a unique harvest festival also known as the Pahiyas Festival.

Locals decorate their homes in lively and vibrant colors. Farm produce like handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, and kiping (rice wafers) are hanging around the houses as decorations. People also bring their own baskets and pick the fresh produce - free of charge!

3. Moriones Festival

When: Holy Week, March or April

Where: Marinduque

During the Holy Week in the country, people flock to Marinduque to experience the weeklong celebration of St. Longinus: the Moriones Festival.

Combining Catholic pageantry with folk mysticism, people wear helmets and don in centurion costumes. They perform a theatrical play where one of the locals portray the role of St. Longinus and hide among the houses while the others search for him. It's a great way to spend meaningful time in the province aside from joining Marinduque excursions.

2. Panagbenga Festival    

Photo from the Philippine Department of Tourism

When: February

Where: Baguio City

Panagbenga or the Season of Blooming is one of the longest Philippine festivals, observed during the entire month of February in Baguio.

This festival highlights the bountiful blooming of the flowers and pay tribute to the city overcoming the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake.

During the festival, expect beautiful parades of floats made from different flowers parading throughout the city. They're usually followed by children and adults adorned with flowers. 

• Plan your Baguio activities around February to join this Panagbenga Festival

• Book a stay at Baguio hotels

1. Ati-Atihan Festival

When: January

Where: Kalibo, Aklan

The Ati-Atihan Festival is known as the grandfather of festivals in the Philippines since it's the celebration that started many festivals in the country. This festival in Aklan is also one of the oldest and is known as the best and the biggest Mardi Gras in the Philippines.

This grand festival lasts for a whole week, often starting its peak during the third Sunday of the month of January. With activities set from sunrise to sunset, people parade on the streets with colorful paints on their faces and wearing indigenous costumes.

The highlights of the Ati-Atihan Festival are the tribal dances, the booming drum beats, the loud chants, and the Catholic rituals, which will surely make any visitor dance their heart out.

• If you're going to Kalibo, we recommend adding Boracay to your itinerary. Check out our travel guide to Boracay Island and our list of Boracay hotels

Experience Festivals in the Philippines

The Philippines is not just all about island-hopping and food trips. There are plenty of things to discover in the best tourist spots in the Philippines, and a lot of them can be seen by attending one of these best festivals in the Philippines.

• Find flights to the Philippines:
  • Dubai to Manila flights
  • Singapore to Manila flights
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• Book tickets to Manila:
  • Cebu to Manila flights
  • Davao to Manila flights
  • Tacloban to Manila flights
  • Iloilo to Manila flights
  • Bohol to Manila flights
  • Bacolod to Manila flights
  • Legazpi to Manila flights

Go ahead and pick some of your best bets from the list above and start planning your trip to these Philippine destinations by reading more of our travel guides.

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