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.
Kasanggayahan Festival is the biggest festival in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. Held every October 1 to 31, it is a month-long celebration of its founding that took place on October 17, 1894. Regarded as the province’s Festival of all Festivals, it is participated by the local government units of constituent localities of the province. […]
Folk Healing Festival is a yearly festival on traditional medicine in the province of Siquijor, Philippines every Holy Week. While activities occur during the entire Lenten Season and Holy Week, main events occur on Black Saturday when faith healers gather and brew their potions. History of Folk Healing Festival Siquijor is an island-province in Central […]
Sarangani Bay Festival, also called Sarbay Festival, is the annual summertime and the biggest beach festival in the Philippines every last week of May. It is held in the village of Gumasa in the town of Glan, Sarangani. Attracting over a hundred thousand visitors, its schedule lasts for three days. Its organizers include Provincial Tourism […]
Samar Day is the festival of festivals and founding anniversary of the province of Samar, Philippines held every August 11. A week-long celebration, it is a gathering of all cultural festivals conducted by the different localities of the province. Activities take place in Catbalogan city, the capital of the province. The event is also called […]
Romblon Marble Festival, also called simply Marble Festival, is the annual festival where the marble industry takes center stage in the province of Romblon, Philippines every second of January. Its schedule coincides with the yearly religious event called Biniray Festival in honor of Sto. Niño. Activities in both fests are held in Romblon, the capital […]
Biniray Festival is the annual religious and cultural festival in honor of Nuestro Señor Sto. Niño de Romblon held in Romblon, the capital of Romblon, Philippines, every second Friday of January. A week-long celebration, its schedule also coincides with the Marble Festival organized by the local government to promote the province’s marble industry. History of […]
Panagdadapun Festival is the founding anniversary and a celebration of indigenous people in the province of Quirino, Philippines every September 6 to 10. Its five-day schedule also coincides with Araw ng Quirino Foundation. Activities are held in Cabarroguis, the capital of the province. The biggest cultural festival in the province, it is a gathering of […]
Giant Lantern Festival is an annual Christmastime festival held in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines from every December 17 to January 1 of the next year. It is also called Ligligan Parul, which is a Kapampangan phrase that means lantern contest or lantern showdown. Considered an intangible cultural heritage, the festival is both […]
National Coconut Week is a celebration of coconut, a crop that is called the tree of life, in the Philippines from August 24 to 30 every year. The Philippines is one of the world’s major producers of coconut and its derived products, coming in at second place next to Indonesia. It sent 70% of its […]
Baragatan Festival is the biggest convergence festival, a cultural event, and founding anniversary in the province of Palawan, Philippines held every June 23. Also called Baragatan sa Palawan Festival, it is a commemoration of the establishment of its first civil government after the end of the Philippine-American War. With a calendar that stretches for weeks, […]