Philippine festival calendar, month by month

Quick answer

• January: Sinulog (Cebu City) and Ati-Atihan (Kalibo) on the third Sunday, Dinagyang (Iloilo City) on the fourth.
• February: Panagbenga, Baguio's flower festival, with the big parades at the end of the month or early March.
• Holy Week (March or April): processions everywhere and the Moriones of Marinduque.
• May: Pahiyas in Lucban and Flores de Mayo processions.
• August to October: Kadayawan in Davao and MassKara in Bacolod.
• December: Simbang Gabi and the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Filipinos love a fiesta. Nearly every town and barangay celebrates its patron saint once a year with Masses, processions, street dancing and a feast. A handful of festivals have grown into national events that draw crowds from all over the country.

This calendar covers the big ones. For the weather in each month, see our guide to the best time to visit.

January

• Sinulog, Cebu City. Held on the third Sunday of January (17 January in 2027), honouring the Santo Niño with a huge street parade. See our Sinulog guide.
• Ati-Atihan, Kalibo, Aklan. Also on the third Sunday of January, after a week of drumming and face-painted street dancing. See our Ati-Atihan guide.
• Dinagyang, Iloilo City. On the fourth Sunday of January, with tightly choreographed tribal dance groups.

February

• Panagbenga, Baguio. A month-long flower festival, with the street dance and float parades at the end of February or the start of March. See our Panagbenga guide.
• Chinese New Year (late January or February), celebrated loudly in Binondo, Manila. See our Binondo guide.

March and April

• Holy Week (Semana Santa). The week before Easter brings processions, passion plays and the Visita Iglesia, when families visit seven churches. Many offices close from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, and transport is packed.
• Moriones, Marinduque. During Holy Week, townspeople wear carved wooden masks of Roman soldiers.

May

• Pahiyas, Lucban, Quezon. Around 15 May, houses are decorated with rice wafers (kiping), fruit and vegetables for the feast of San Isidro, patron of farmers.
• Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Flower offerings and evening processions in towns across the country all month.

June to August

• Pintados-Kasadyaan, Tacloban. Late June, with dancers painted to recall the tattooed warriors of the Visayas.
• Kadayawan, Davao City. A harvest festival in August, at the height of the fruit season. See our Davao guide.

September and October

• Peñafrancia, Naga City. In September, a river procession for the patroness of Bicol.
• MassKara, Bacolod. Smiling masks and street dancing through October. See our MassKara guide.
• Lanzones Festival, Camiguin. In October, when the island’s lanzones fruit is in season. See our Camiguin guide.

November

• Undas (1 and 2 November). All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, when families gather at cemeteries. It is a quiet, moving time, and one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
• Higantes, Angono, Rizal. Around 23 November, giant papier-mâché figures parade through the arts town of Angono.

December

• Simbang Gabi. Nine dawn or evening Masses from 16 to 24 December.
• Giant Lantern Festival, San Fernando, Pampanga. Huge electric lanterns compete in mid-December. See our guide to Christmas in the Philippines.

Tips for festival travel

1. Book early. Hotels in Cebu City, Kalibo, Iloilo and Baguio fill months ahead for their big weekends.
2. Check the official schedule. Parade days, routes and venues can change from year to year.
3. Expect road closures and heavy crowds near the parade route. Walk where you can.
4. Mind your belongings in tight crowds, and drink plenty of water.
5. Respect the religious side. Processions and Masses are acts of faith, not shows.

Dates follow the latest official announcements we could find. Check with the city or provincial tourism office before you book.

Photo gallery

Frequently asked questions

When is the best month for festivals?

January. Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang all fall in the second half of the month, and the weather is dry in most of the central islands.

Are Philippine festivals religious?

Many are. The January festivals honour the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus, and most town fiestas mark a patron saint's day. Others, like Panagbenga and MassKara, began as civic festivals.

Do I need tickets?

Watching from the street is free. Some festivals sell grandstand or arena seats; buy only through official channels.

Do festival dates change?

Many follow a rule, such as the third Sunday of January, but parade days and venues can move. Always check the latest schedule from the city or provincial tourism office.