The Philippines is known for its immaculate beaches and stunning natural beauties, as well as its year-round vibrant festivals. In addition to commemorating historical occurrences and national heroes, these festivals also uphold our traditions and customs.
Additionally, these fiestas draw tourists from outside and the local community who wish to take part in the celebration. We can anticipate taking part in these activities live as we become used to the new normal.
Most of these festivals have been proclaimed national holidays due to their importance to culture and history. Mark your calendars now so that you can get your leaves ready for these events that will be held in 2023.
(Note that the dates below are tentative and may change at any time.)
January
Festival of Ati-Atihan (January 15, 2023)
The Santo Nio or Infant Jesus, the town’s patron, is honored each year in Aklan at the Ati-Atihan festival. Ati-Atihan, which comprises applying soot to one’s skin to darken it and dressing up in tribal garb, is defined as “acting like Atis” or “pretending to be like the local indigenous people that originally inhabited Aklan.” The procession begins with drums and whistles, which are interspersed with cries of “Hala Bira! “to enliven the audience.
Festival of Sinulog (January 15, 2023)
Similar to the Ati-Atihan Festival, Sinulog is an annual cultural celebration held in Cebu during the third week of January. Additionally, it is the hub of the Santo Nio Catholic Festivals in the Philippines and is referred to as the “First Queen of Festivals.”
An elegant dance known as Sinulog depicts the pagan origins and conversion to Christianity of the Filipino people. This celebration is also well-liked in the Philippines and draws many visitors and locals alike.
Dinagyang Festival (January 22, 2023)
Every fourth Sunday of January, Iloilo hosts the annual religious and cultural event known as Dinagyang, which is a Hiligaynon word for “Merrymaking.” It commemorates the Infant Jesus, just like Ati-Atihan and Sinulog.
It also features loud joyful music, parades, and vibrant street dances, as well as a variety of food stands selling regional specialties. The Dinagyang Festival is referred to as the “Queen of All Philippine Festivals” due to its festive atmosphere and entertaining activities.
February
Festival of Panagbenga (starting on February 1, 2023)
Baguio is well known for being a family-friendly destination and for hosting one of the most vibrant festivals in the nation. The Panagbenga Festival honors Baguio and the Cordilleras’ history, customs, cultures, and ideals.
It also emphasizes the Filipinos’ capacity for overcoming misfortune and resilience. Find street dancers performing across the city and huge floats covered with fragrant flowers at the event.
Hamaka Festival(February 12-18, 2023 tentative)
The annual Hamaka Festival in Taytay, Rizal, lasts for a full week and is a celebration of the people’s artistry and skill. Additionally, it pays tribute to the three important Taytay industries: Hamba (woodworking),
Makina (sewing machines), and Kasuotan (garments). The festival features a wide range of activities and events, including concerts, parades, dancing competitions, and more.
Paraw Regatta Festival (February 19, 2023)
One of the most popular festivals in the Philippines is the Paraw Regatta Festival, which takes place in Iloilo every third Sunday in February. The festival is the biggest sailing event in the country as well as the oldest traditional craft event in Asia.
The paraw, a Visayan double-outrigger sailboat, competes in the festival’s major event, a sailboat race. From the coastlines of Panay to Villa Beach, the race covers 30 kilometers.
March
Festival of Alimango (March 22, 2023)
The Municipality of Lala, Lanao del Norte, is known for its abundance of crabs, which is highlighted by the Alimango Festival. The festival will feature a variety of events, such as crab races, a crab contest, an agri-trade fair, and a street dancing parade with a crab theme.
April
Moriones Festival (April 2-8, 2023)
Every Holy Week, starting on Holy Monday and concluding on Easter Sunday, Marinduque hosts the Moriones Festival. Locals dress up as the Moriones while acting out the part of biblical Imperial Roman soldiers.
The story of the Roman soldiers looking for Saint Longinus is told again throughout the parade.
May
Festival of Pahiyas (May 15, 2023)
The Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon, is the most vibrant harvest festival because the word pahiyas means “to embellish.” It is one of the most well-attended events in the Philippines and is held on the fifteenth of May each year.
San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of laborers, peasants, and farmers, is honored during this annual feast. During the Pahiyas Festival, dwellings are decorated with brightly colored kiping, a wafer in the shape of a leaf made of sticky rice, as well as fruit, grain, and vegetable decorations.
Festival of Obando (May 17-19, 2023)
Obando Festival is a well-known cultural event for females who want to become pregnant. The festival honors St. Paschal of Bahrain, St. Clare of Assis, and Our Lady of Salambaw every year from May 17 to May 19.
The fertility rites began as a dancing tradition before evolving into a Catholic celebration.
Flores de Mayo (May 1-30, 2023)
In the Philippines, the month-long Flores de Mayo festival honors devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Santacruzan, the major event, features parades, beauty pageants, and vibrant flowers.
Every barangay in the Philippines holds parades, contests, and feasts as part of the celebration. Despite this, you don’t need to go very far to take part in an energetic Flores de Mayo fiesta.
June
Festival of Hibok-Hibok (June 24, 2023)
Every year, the Hibok-Hibok Festival honors St. John the Baptist with a parade, water sports, and a fluvial procession. Following the festive liturgy, people go to the beach to swim and take a bath in honor of the saint. On the streets, people occasionally splash one other with water.
Festival of Pinyasan (June 24-25, 2023 tentative)
Daet, Camarines Norte, hosts the Pinyasan Festival, also known as the Pineapple Festival, every year. It promotes Formosa, the sweetest pineapple and the main agricultural output of the area. The festival has a competition, an agro-industrial fair, a street dancing show, a float exhibition, and many more fun events.
Festival of Lami-Lamihan (June 29, 2023)
Every June 29 in Lamitan, Basilan, the community celebrates and honors St. Peter during the Lami-Lamihan festival. People dress up in colorful costumes, take part in street dances, and watch horse racing during the event, which also incorporates Catholic and Yakan traditions.
July
Sandugo Festival (July 1, 2023)
The Treaty of Friendship, which was signed in 1565 by Datu Sikatuna, the chieftain of Bohol, and Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, is remembered at the Sandugo Festival. Beginning on July 1, the festival will also be held in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
The reenactment of Datu Sikatuna and Lopez de Legazpi’s “one blood” rite is a major attraction. It also hosts contests and beauty pageants to amuse both residents and visitors.
Pagoda Festival (July 2, 2023)
Every first Sunday in July, Bocaue, Bulacan, hosts the Pagoda Festival, a celebration honoring the beginning of the miracle cross floating on the Bocaue River. The river procession for the Holy Cross of Wawa, a Catholic relic, is one of the festival’s highlights.
August
Festival of Kadayawan (August 14-20, 2023 tentative)
The third week of August sees the celebration and gratitude known as the Kadayawan Festival in Davao. The Dabawenyo term “Madayaw,” which means good, valuable, or lovely, is where the name “Kadayawan” originates.
Watch performances of street dancing that highlight the heritage of several Mindanao communities at the Kadayawan Festival.
Festival de Gigantes (August 19, 2023)
One of the most anticipated events in the nation is the Lucban Gigantes Festival, which takes place on August 19. Additionally, enormous paper-mâché puppets are paraded through the streets of Lucban to mark the holiday.
September
Food Festival in Bicol (September 1-30, 2023)
Take part in Naga’s Bicol Food Festival for a month to sample a variety of Bicol dishes. Laing, inolokan or tilmak, pecadillo, cocido, and the renowned Bicol Express are a few of the foods you can sample during the event.
Festival de Busig (September 7-9, 2023 tentative)
In Labo, Camarines Norte, there is an annual event known as the Busig-on festival that is based on the local epic. As you take in talent displays and skill competitions during the festival, feel the heroism and other Bicolano qualities.
Festival de Penafrancia (September 17, 2023)
Every third Sunday in September, Naga hosts one of Asia’s largest Marian celebrations, the Peafrancia Festival. Additionally, it pays tribute to Our Lady of Peafrancia, the Bicol region’s patron saint. The fluvial march along the Naga River and the transfer of the Virgin’s image from the shrine at Naga Cathedral, which is followed by a novena, are other festival highlights.
October
Festival MassKara (October 1-30, 2023)
Bacolod is well known for its beaches and cuisine in addition to hosting one of the best festivals in the Philippines, the MassKara Festival. The celebration was initially held to cheer up the community following a tragic incident.
It also honors Bacolod City’s mask-making sector. Concerts, fashion presentations, fun runs, talent shows, and street dances the festival’s most anticipated performance are among the events that take place.
Festival Kamgbegu (October 15-16, 2023 tentative)
Every year, the Kamgbegu Festival is held in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. The Subanen come together as a group during the harvest season to celebrate the harvest and share abundant benefits. They had fun while singing, dancing, and consuming handmade treats as they celebrate.
November
Pintaflores Festival (November 1-7, 2023)
To create a distinctive festival for everyone to enjoy, the Pintaflores Festival blends the beauty of tattoos (pinta) with flowers (Flores). Street dancers dressed in vivid costumes with vibrant face paint and body ink perform at this festival, which takes place during the first week of November.
December
Festival of Kahumayan (December 2, 2023)
The Kahumayan Festival honors the diligent and hardworking rice farmers who made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the municipality. Because it influences our culture, diet, and economy with the support of our diligent farmers, the locals hold the belief that “rice is life.” You may anticipate vibrant street dances in the region featuring rice crops during the celebration in the Kapatagan area of Lanao del Norte.
Festival of the Giant Lantern (December 16, 2023, tentative)
Attend the Giant Lantern Festival activities to ring in the holiday season. Every mid-December, San Fernando, Pampanga, hosts this competition. San Fernando is referred to as the Christmas capital of the Philippines because of the event, which also features the largest, brightest, and most vibrant lantern displays in the region.
Please read: INT’L TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Conclusion
Festival celebrations are customary in various Philippine cities. It already embodies the accomplishments we have made in the past, which we commemorate on these extraordinary days.
To commemorate this event, we help you by providing a practical means of getting to these locations. What are you waiting for? Tickets and booking are available at AllCash branches.
Visit any AllCash branch near you.
