Many festivals take place around the Philippines every year, celebrating anything from religious culture to flowers and local produce. But whatever the reason, you can expect to be immersed in colourful displays of dance and music while enjoying delicious food and getting involved in the vibrant party atmosphere yourself. Here are some of the most unique festivals held in the Philippines throughout the year.
Tuna Festival
Each September, General Santos City – known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” – dedicates one week of celebration to honour the city’s thriving tuna industry. Street parades are designed to showcase the city’s maritime heritage featuring dancers dressed in tuna themed costumes and decorated fishing boats. Culinary competitions to highlight fresh tuna dishes, trade fairs selling local tuna products and a huge outdoor tuna grilling party known as ‘Sugbahan sa Dalan’ are also highlights of the festival.
Panagbenga Festival
Held every February in Baguio City, the Panagbenga Festival is a month-long celebration of flowers – thought to reflect the city’s reputation as the “summer capital” of the Philippines. During the festivities, you can expect to witness energetic street dances inspired by the indigenous culture as well as spectacular flower floats cruising through the city streets. Every year, the festival attracts thousands of visitors keen to experience the region’s cooling mountain air, colourful spring-like blooms, street performances, and all-around festive and community-spirited atmosphere.
Pahiyas Festival
Every May 15 in Lucban, Quezon, you can experience one of the world’s most colourful harvest festivals which is held in honour of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. During the festival, a colourful procession of street dancers and musicians parade through the streets while homes along the parade route are lavishly and creatively decorated with colourful agricultural produce such as fruits, vegetables, grains and flowers.
Ati Atihan Festival
Often called “the mother of all Philippine festivals”, the Ati Atihan Festival held every January in Kalibo, Aklan, is one of the Philippines’ oldest and most vibrant festivals. During the festival period, the streets of Kalibo come to life with the sounds of drums and tribal dancing while revellers dressed in costumes join in with joyous chants to create a carnival atmosphere. The highly energetic Ati Atihan festival is unique in allowing anyone who attends the event to join in with the street dances, including locals and tourists, as groups parade through the street in colourful costumes.
Moriones Festival
Held in April during Holy Week, the Moriones Festival takes place on the island of Marinduque where participants dress in Roman soldier costumes and masks inspired by the biblical story of Longinus. For one entire week, the streets burst to life with costumed processions and theatrical reenactments of the story of Longinus while thousands of visitors line the parade route in awe of this cultural and community-spirited island tradition.
