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.
Say-am Festival is a cultural festival and founding anniversary celebration in the province of Apayao, Philippines held every February 14. It usually starts on the first day of February and culminating activities fall on the 14th of the month, which is the date that the province was established. The festival honors the culture of Isneg, […]
Binirayan Festival is a cultural and historical festival held in the province of Antique, Philippines every April or December. First conducted in 1974, it was a means to unite the people of Antique, recollect their historical beginnings, and instill unity. It celebrates the arrival of Malay settlers in Panay and their contact with indigenous people […]
Naliyagan Festival is a cultural and historical festival and founding anniversary celebration held in the province of Agusan del Sur every 17th of June. It honors Manobo people who resides in the interior lands and the cultural heritage of the different towns of the province. A six-day festivity, it starts with a commemoration of the […]
Araw ng Agusan del Norte is a cultural, historical, and founding anniversary celebration as well as a festival that celebrates ethnic minorities in the province of Agusan del Norte, Philippines. It is held every 17th of June. Organized by the provincial government, it is also known as Araw ng Agusan del Norte and Sadow Festival […]
Abrenian Kawayan Festival is a cultural festival and founding anniversary celebration in the province of Abra, Philippines held every March 9th. It was previously known as Arya Abra Festival until 2009. A five-day affair, it celebrates the ubiquity of bamboo, the province’s bamboo industry, and its establishment as a province independent from Ilocos Sur in […]
Pistay Dayat, also known as the Sea Festival, is a cultural, environmental, and thanksgiving festival held in the province of Pangasinan every first of May. It is also known as Festival of the Sea, Sea Festival, or Seaside Festival. A province-wide and weeks-long observance, it is celebrated as summertime thanksgiving among fishing folks for the […]
Lechon Festival is a cultural, food, and religious festival held during the feast of St. John the Baptist in the town of Balayan in the province of Batangas, Philippines every June 24. At the center of the celebration is lechon, a whole-pig recipe cooked in an open grill. Lechon Festival is considered the king of […]
Manggahan Festival is a yearly cultural, agricultural, and food festival held in the province of Guimaras, Philippines every May. Also called Guimaras Mango Festival, it is a celebration of the mango fruit and agriculture that are the key drivers of its local economy aside from tourism. Due to the signature sweetness and export-quality of its […]
Tuna Festival is a yearly cultural and food festival held in General Santos City in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines every September 5. A week-long festivity, it is a celebration of the city being a major producer of tuna and derived products in the country. It is likewise an inaugural anniversary celebration of its […]
Bangus Festival, officially named Dagupan City Bangus Festival, is a yearly cultural and food festival in Dagupan City in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines held every April 30. It is a celebration of the city’s production of bangus fish and many of its related products. A month-long festival, it is promoted as Dagupan City positions […]