Best Festivals & Events in the
Philippines 2026

20 Popular Festivals & Events in the Philippines

Throughout the year, you get to find a number of festivals and events that take place in different Filipino destinations. Check out the list of 20 popular festivals and events by month in the Philippines.

Wanderland Music Festival - Muntinlupa

Visit the annual music and art festival, Wanderland Music Festival, where you can find both national and international artists playing songs in different genres. This Filipino festival will offer you an immersive experience with music, art installations, food vendors and different games, elevating your holiday experience. It is predicted that the next festival will take place in March 2026.

Giant Lantern Festival - San Fernando City

The Giant Lantern Festival, also known as Ligligan Paul, is celebrated in the Christmas capital of the Philippines, San Fernando City. You get to experience the Christmas holiday vibes for an entire month, especially on the Christmas Eve weekend, and also spot some of the largest lanterns made locally. If you are looking for a Filipino holiday destination to spend your Christmas, then there is no better place than this. Do enjoy the food fiesta during this festival, highlighting the seasonal treats.

CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival - Manila

While exploring Manila, stop by the largest multi-arts event held in the Philippines, the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival. Each year, the event follows a particular theme and also hosts many programs, including workshops, art exhibits and different performances. You can find the rich and diverse cultural elements being highlighted in this festival. You can find this event taking place in many cities around Manila.

Read Also: Beach Near Manila | Things to Do in Manila | Travel Guide to Manila | Best Places to Visit in Manila

Kadayawan Festival - Davao City

Kadayawan festival is a celebration of thankfulness and is related to the Thanksgiving traditions. The word "Kadayawan" is derived from the Dabawon tongue, which means good, valuable and superior. During this Filipino celebration, as you travel around the city, you will find the streets decorated with fresh fruits, vegetables and other handicraft items. The locals express their gratitude to the indigenous people for a plentiful harvest. You can also spot firework displays, boat races, beauty pageants and horse fights.

Sinulog Festival - Cebu City

One of the most popular traditional religious festivals in the Philippines is the Sinulog festival. It is one of the liveliest festivals in the Philippines that takes place on the third Sunday in January every year. Find a week-long celebration taking place. You will also find the tradition of dancing with the image of the Holy Child, which was passed down from the 16th century. You can find float parades, national dance performances and many others in the festive atmosphere at Cebu City.

Cebu SBKZ International Festival - Cebu City

Cebu SBKZ International Festival is another popular Philippines celebration that runs for 3 days, and within these days, you get to embrace the dynamic celebration of salsa, bachata, kizomba and zouk dance styles. This cultural and artistic event celebrates the blend of energetic performances, international artistry and local traditions. It is a must-see event for dance lovers, as you get to witness amazing dance performances of both national and international artists.

Read Also: Best Beaches in Cebu | Things to Do in Cebu | Travel Guide to Cebu

Subic Bay Multisport Festival - Central Luzon

Prepare yourself for the biggest multisport festival in the Philippines, the Subic Bay Multisport Festival. There are seven events that will be held in this Filipino festival, offering a fusion of thrill and excitement to both the participants as well as the audience. This event attracts both national and international athletes. If you are interested in participating, check out the rules and regulations and fill out your form.

Semana Santa - Pampanga

The Holy Week of Semana Santa is a fiesta that is celebrated around different parts of the Philippines, but what makes it different in Pampanga is the Spanish-influenced Catholic rituals like church visits, processions and re-enactment of the suffering of Jesus Christ. You will find the significant rituals in Filipino culture that celebrate each day of the Holy Week, and also the fiesta foods in the Philippines.

Feast of the Black Nazarene - Manila

One of the major religious festivals in the Philippines is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. This Filipino celebration takes place on 9th January every year. The centrepiece of this event is the Traslacion, which is a massive procession led by millions of devotees, who pull the gilded carriage carrying the statue of Jesus Christ, which is referred to as "Our Father Jesus of Nazareth". It is believed that touching the carriage can bring good health and fortune.

Moriones Festival - Marinduque

The Moriones festival is one of the most visually appealing religious celebrations that is held during the Semana Santa to commemorate the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who pierced the side of Jesus during crucifixion. Throughout the city, one can spot many lively stages being used for dramatic events, performances and parades. You can find both national and international participants drawn towards this festival due to the perfect blend of pageantry and mysticism.

Pahiyas Festival - Quezon

Get to experience the pleasure of harvest by visiting the Pahiyas festival, which celebrates the patron saint of farmers - San Isidro Labrador. The decorations around you will offer you a fairytale experience, as local residents decorate their houses with flowers, fruits, vegetables, kiping and grains. This also helps portray the culture and lifestyle of the Filipino people. Moreover, visitors can also pick the fresh produce free of charge and can also enjoy fiesta food in the Philippines, like kaldereta, lucban longganisa and more.

Panagbenga Festival - Baguio City

If you are travelling during the summer, then you mustn't miss one of the popular celebrations of the Philippines, the Panagbenga festival. The word "Panagbenga" is derived from panag-apog, meaning the season of blossoms. This festival gives you a visual feast, as you can find the vibrant flower festival in progress. There are also costume and dance competitions, where you can see participants dancing to Cordilleran music. Moreover, this festival has helped make Baguio City known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

International Bamboo Organ Festival - Las Pinas City

Another renowned festival of the Philippines is the International Bamboo Organ Festival, which is an annual festival that ensures international standards and where you can find both international as well as Filipino talents. This musical and cultural event has helped in fostering harmony across different communities around the Philippines. Immerse yourself in the amazing tunes and music from the wonderful bamboo organ.

Lechon Festival - Batangas

Looking for a food fiesta in the Philippines, well, you should visit the Lechon festival. The preparation for this festival starts from early morning, and you can feel the lively atmosphere once you set foot into the streets of Batangas. You will find the pigs skewered and roasted over fire, later, when they will be dressed and taken out on a parade. At the end of the day, people will celebrate by splashing water and end the grand feast by sitting around and eating the roasted pigs.

Read Also: Best Places to Visit in Batangas | Travel Guide to Batanes

Phi Ta Khon - Loei

Phi Ta Khon is Thailand's "Ghost Festival", a three-day cultural celebration held in the Dan Sai district, where spirits dance among the living. Witness a blend of Buddhism, folklore and playful chaos, where locals dress in scary yet colorful masks and costumes and perform dances and parades to honour their ancestral spirits. You can also see people carrying phallic symbols to celebrate good fortune and fertility. According to locals, this festival is believed to bring rain, luck, and protection from misfortune.

Dinagyang Festival - Iloilo City

Celebrate one of the most religious and cultural events in Iloilo City, the Dinagyang festival, which is celebrated every year for a tenure of four days to honour the Child Jesus (Santo Niño). You will come across colourful parades and religious processions. You also get to experience the hip street party with local drinks and delicacies, and also encounter folkloric scenarios and dancers with painted bodies.

Ati-Atihan Festival - Aklan

Experience one of the oldest festivals of the Philippines, the Ati-Atihan festival, which has been celebrated for over 800 years. The festival usually begins on the third Sunday of January every year and is renowned for hosting the largest carnival in Aklan that lasts for a week. Embrace the festive atmosphere during these seven days and find the colourful painted faces of the Filipino people. Performers will parade through the streets while dressed in indigenous costumes.

Masskara Festival - Bacolod City

Be ready to enjoy one of the amazing festivals of the Philippines, a solitary customs Mask carnival in the City of Smiles, Bacolod City. This fiesta began in the Philippines in 1980 as a means to escape the reality of the situation. At present, people put on smiling masks and enjoy a masquerade party with food, drinks and street dancing. Both local and international tourists can participate in this festival by purchasing masks and souvenirs from local vendors and by singing and dancing to Latin music.

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival - New Clark City

Among the list of celebrations that take place in the Philippines, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival is a unique one to experience. Soar high in the sky with a hot air balloon ride or paragliding to experience both thrill and joy. You will also find colourful hot air balloons floating in the sky, making you audibly gasp. Not just in the sky, but you will also find concerns, career seminars and food stalls in place.

Read Also: Best Beaches in Clark | Things to Do in Clark | Travel Guide to Clark

Higantes Festival - Rizal

Higantes festival is an iconic cultural Filipino celebration that is hosted in grandeur at the Rizal province, featuring 3 to 4 meter-tall giant puppets, attracting both locals and international tourists. This festival is also celebrated to honour the town's patron saint - San Clemente. As you walk the streets, you will find the higantes parade taking place, lighting up the festive mood at the Art Capital of the Philippines.