Festivals in Philippines to Experience in 2025
Filipino culture is well known for its fun and festivities. Festivals are so intricately woven into the cultural ethos of the Philippines that every month of the year witnesses some kind of festival in this country. Tourists throng this nation to partake of their cultural celebrations and joyous ecstasies in different festivals.
Let’s look at some of the most frolicsome Festivals in Philippines that bring out the grandeur, and merriment of its culture.
List of Popular Festivals in Philippines
Take a look at some of the popular Philippines festivals each month. Soak in the Filipino culture while holidaying there like never before!
1. Ati Atihun
Image Credit: Elisolidum for Wikipedia
Come January, people begin preparing for the Christian festival that commemorates Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). The town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Panay Island rejoices in the exultations of this festival as people celebrate by performing tribal dance and music in the parade along the streets. This is one of the most popular Philippines festivals. The festival begins with the opening mass for Santo Niño in the Church on the third Sunday of January, and the revelry lasts for the next week.
- Date: 10th to 19th of January 2025
- Location: Kalibo, Aklan, Panay
- Duration of Festival: 10 Days
Also Read: Things To Do In Manila
2. Kaamulan
Image Credit: Constantine Agustin for Wikimedia Commons
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon is the venue for its extraordinary festival beginning in the second half of February and extends to March 10. This one-of-its-kind jubilation glorifies culture and tradition of seven ethnic Filipino tribes of the province. This festival is an amalgamation of a thanksgiving ritual for good harvest, a peace pact amongst all the tribes, a datuship ritual and a wedding ceremony. Tribal dances elevate the conviviality and gaiety in the atmosphere.
- Date: 21st March to 23rd April 2025
- Location: Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
- Duration of Festival: 1 Month
3. Anibina Bulawanun
Image Credit: Michol Sanchez for Wikimedia Commons
March brings in its wake the resplendent festival of Anibina Bulawanun that lasts for a week. The name ‘Anibina’ consists of two terms, ‘Ani’ meaning ‘harvest’ and ‘bina’ indicating ‘gold veins.’ As the name suggests, the festival rejoices in the abundant agricultural harvest in the Compostela Valley, famous for its mineral deposits. The festival intertwines in the exultations the different themes highlighting the natural prosperity of Compostela Province.
- Date: 8th to 15th of March 2025
- Location: Compostela Province
- Duration of Festival: 8 Days
Related Post: Beaches In Philippines
4. Moriones Festival
Image Credit: Ranieljosecastaneda for Wikimedia Commons
April sees masked men and women in costumes resembling those of biblical Roma soldiers during Moriones Festival in the island of Marinduque in the Philippines. This festival is a motley of rituals as it depicts the story of the Passion of Christ. It has derived its name from the masks worn by people as these were known as Morion helmets. People reminisce the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and chant verses from the Bible. They also act out the suffering of the Christ. The Festival begins on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday.
- Date: 4th to 12th of April 2025
- Location: Island of Marinduque
- Duration of Festival: 9 Days
5. Flores de Mayo
Image Credit: Judgefloro for Wikimedia Commons
This is a month-long festival held in the entire country in the month of May. People evoke their devotions for Blessed Virgin Mary and glorify the finding of the True Cross by Helena of Constantinople and Constantine the Great. People organize processions through the streets and march dressed as Biblical figures. As part of rituals, people recite the rosary and offer flowers and prayers to an image of Mary every night. After the procession and rituals, people share food and snacks. This is one of the unique festivals in Philippines.
- Date: 1st to 31st of May 2025
- Location: The Filipino Community Center, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu
- Duration of Festival: 1 month
Related Post: Nightlife In Philippines
6. The Pineapple Festival
Image Credit: Ramon FVelasquez for Wikimedia Commons
The Pineapple Festival is held every year from June 15 to June 24 in the Daet district. It celebrates a unique variety of pineapple fruit only produced in this region and is called ‘Queen of Formosa.’ People take out colorful parades, where they march and dance in the streets in fanciful costumes. The dances and celebrations are choreographed, rehearsed and present an engaging sight to the onlookers. The festival uplifts the art and culture of the region and also gives a boost to its agricultural industry.
- Date: 15th – 24th June 2025
- Location: Daet
- Duration of Festival: 10 Days
7. Bocaue Pagoda
Image Credit: RamaGaspar for Wikimedia Commons
Just as July knocks on the door comes Bocaue River Festival in the town of Bocaue in Bulacan. Held on the first Sunday of July, it commemorates the discovery of the miraculous cross floating on the Bocaue River 200 years ago. People create a replica of this cross and parade it through the streets of the city. A procession is also taken down the river with a huge elaborately decorated pagoda float.
- Date: 6th of July 2025
- Location: Bocaue in Bulacan
- Duration of Festival: 1 day
Related Post: Resorts In Philippines
8. Pangapog
Image Credit: Apollo Toza for Pexels
August welcomes Pangapog Festival in Samal City, Davao del Norte. Held in August, people offer thanksgiving for the abundant harvest in this festival. The festival begins with ‘Panawag Tawag’ ritual performed by Babaylan Teresita Lugam in Sama tongue. This succeeds with revelries and rejoicing that includes a brilliant motorcade accompanied by singing and dancing.
- Date: 1st to 7th August 2025
- Location: Samal City, Davao del Norte
- Duration of Festival: 1 week
9. Hin-Ay
Image Credit: Senoreyto Antonio for Pexels
Hin-Ay or Paray festival is celebrated by the land-locked, rice-producing community of Irosin, Sorsogon as thanksgiving for the rich harvest. The festival lasts for the entire month of September and ends with the feast of St. Michael the Archangel – the patron saint of the local parish church – on September 29. The festival highlights three themes through its activities: harvest festival, street dancing, and culture and sports.
- Date: 1st to 29th of September 2025
- Location: Irosin, Sorsogon
- Duration of Festival: 1 month
Related Post: Nightlife in Philippines
10. Halaran Festival
Image Credit: Joel Garcia for Pexels
The arrival of October brings the festival of Halaran in Roxas City, Capiz. Depicting the kaleidoscopic history of the Capizeños, the events held during this festival take people back to the earliest time of settlement of the Bornean Datus. The festival lasts the whole first week of October and raises the high spirits through eating, drinking and dancing to the resonant beat of drums.
- Date: 1st to 8th of October 2025
- Location: Roxas City, Capiz
- Duration of Festival: 1 week
11. Pintaflores
Image Credit: Kim Villanueva for Pexels
November brings to the city of San Carlos, the delightful festival of Pintaflores or flower tattoos. This gorgeous festival explodes in bright hues as people dance with their bodies painted in different colors and wearing floral costumes. It is held from November 3 to November 5 and reminisces the beginnings of San Carlos.
- Date: 3rd – 5th November, 2025
- Location: San Carlos City
- Duration of Festival: 2 days
Related Post: Villas In Philippines
12. Giant Lantern Festival
Image Credit: Ramon FVelasquez for Wikimedia Commons
December gets illuminated by the Giant Lantern Festival held for the entire month in the city of San Fernando. Its giant lanterns give this festival subtle and mesmerizing charm and it also features competition of such lanterns. San Fernando City got the nickname of ‘Christmas Capital of the Philippines’ because of this festival.
- Date: 16th December to 2nd January 2025
- Location: San Fernando City
- Duration of Festival: 1 month
You May Also Like To Read: Restaurant In Philippines
Now that you are aware of these plenty of prominent festivals in the Philippines to celebrate, you can bask in the jovial ardour & feel the high spirits of this beautiful country. Plan a trip to Philippines during any month of the year and experience the bliss.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit: .M.Q Huang for Pexels
Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In Philippines
What is the main festival in the Philippines?
Santo Nino is the main festival in the Philippines. The city of Cebu also hosts a grand festival in Santo Nino's honour the Ati-Atihan Sinulog Festival. 'Sinulog' translates to 'like the water current', which is the name of the step performed by dancers in the street.
Which city has the best festival in the Philippines?
Cebu City has the best festivals in the Philippines as it has the highest festival frequency and attendance. Its iconic Sinulog Festival attracts 1 to 2 million visitors each January, showcasing unique rituals and customs with thousands of attendees every year.
What is the oldest festival in the Philippines?
Ati-Atihan is the oldest festival in the Philippines. The origins of this festival date back to 1212 AD, after a group of 10 Malay chieftains called 'Datus' escaped from the island of Borneo and settled on the island of Panay in the Philippines and were granted compensation by the Ati people.
Why festival culture is important in the Philippines?
Festival culture in the Philippines holds great cultural and religious significance. They showcase the country's ancestry, nurture a feeling of neighbourhood, and provide an opportunity for Filipinos to express thankfulness and glorify their traditions.
What is the king of festivals in the Philippines?
The Kadayawan festival is considered to be the King of festivals in the Philippines. A celebration of good harvest, Kadayawan is a cornucopia of fruits, flowers and celebration that lasts for a week.
How many festivals are there in the Philippines?
Festivals are a relatively common event, with over 42,000 major and minor festivals celebrated in the Philippines. These festivals are an essential part of the local culture, known for their magnific and lively extravaganzas.
People Also Read:
Jaisalmer Desert Festival Velas Turtle Festival Ladakh Losar Festival
