The Philippines has a number of holidays throughout the year. There are several Philippine festivals in August, with the following being some of the more noteworthy.

Bankaton Festival

Lavezares, Northern Samar, August 20

The Bankaton Festival is a religious celebration held on August 20 in Lavezares, Northern Samar. It is an annual boat race to commemorate the feast of Nueva Seora de Salvacion, the patroness of the town. An event in honor of San Nicolas de Tolentino, the town’s patron saint. It is a celebration that includes a men’s boat race, a fluvial parade, parlor games based on tilapia cuisine, and an amateur singing competition.

Buyogan Festival

Abuyog, Leyte, August 19

The name “Buyogan” is derived from the name of the town Abuyog. The Buyogan parade, which is attended by various groups, is the highlight of the Buyogan Festival. Participants dress up in various colorful costumes patterned after the various shapes and colors of bee life. Children draw little bees buzzing around in a beehive replica. Other participants paint and henna tattoo tribal designs on their faces and bodies to represent the town’s ethnic history.

Coron Festival

Tiwi, Albay, August 5 – 13

Coron is a Bicol dialect that means “clay pot” or “potteries,” which Tiwi, Albay is famous for. The festival’s main attraction is the municipality’s pottery industry, which is done with skills passed down from parents to children and perfected over many years of practice without the benefit of written manuals.

Gigantes Festival

Lucban, Quezon, August 19

The people of Lucban, Quezon, bring out their beloved gigantes, or giants, for this festival. The papier-mache giants are carried on the shoulders of those who have taken an oath in exchange for a favor. This festival is shared by Lucban and Angono, Rizal, which takes place in November.

Guinobatan Longganisa Festival

Guinobatan, Albay, August 5 – 15

The festival is held every August to coincide with the town fiesta as a form of thanksgiving for the bounty of the land. The festival’s main attraction is a showcase of cuisines featuring their main product, the Guinobatan Longganisa.

Higalaay Festival

Cagayan de Oro City, Whole month of August

The Higalaay Festival is an annual festival held in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, on the month of August to commemorate the feast day of St. Augustine, the city’s patron saint. The term “Higalaay” is derived from the Cebuano word “higala,” which refers to the city of Cagayan de Oro, also known as the City of Golden Friendship.

Ibalong Festival

Legaspi City, August 12 – 30

An annual festival dedicated to the legendary heroes of the Ibalong epic: Baltog, Handyong and Bantong. The three heroes fought against giant flying sharks, one-eyed creatures, gigantic crocodiles, and other such monsters.

Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival

Davao City, 3rd week

The Kadayawan Festival is described as pasasalamat at pagpapahalaga. Kadayawan is a native expression in the Dabawnon language. Kadayawan derives its name from the word “madayaw,” which means “good, valuable, and superior.” The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for nature’s gifts, cultural wealth, harvest bounty, and the serenity of living.

Kagayhaan Festival

Cagayan de Oro City, August 26-28

This festival is highlighted by street dancing performed by school and civic organization contingents.

Kalibongan Festival

Kidapawan, Cotabato, August 17 – 18

Kalibongan is a manobo term for the annual Grand Festival held in Kidapawan, Cotabato. Manobos, Bagobos, and other highland tribes from across the province travel to Kidapawan to proudly display their tradition and cultural heritage. The natives celebrate “partying” in their own way, with a traditional horse fight, a “blood compact” peace ceremony, and so on. For the Kalibongan festival, there is a large gathering of Mindanao’s major tribal groups and thanksgiving, as well as a demonstration of horse fighting, street dances, and manobos marriages.

Marang Festival

Basco, Batanes, August 5

Locals celebrate the abundant harvest of the fruit Marang. During the festival, freshly harvested marang fruits, as well as other fruits and vegetables, are available at reduced prices.

Mercedes Fishtival

Mercedes, Camarines Norte, August 6-11

Mercedes Fishtival is held in the first week of August by the municipality of Mercedes, one of Camarines Norte’s 12 towns. The week-long celebration includes a mascot parade of fish and other sea creatures. During this festive celebration, marine sports such as paraw regatta, bangkaton, and game fishing are played. The festival attracts both locals and visitors from other countries. In honor of their patron saint, St James the Fisherman, residents here recognize the blessings they receive, which include vast fish resources, endless shorelines, and aquatic potential.

Mercedes Kadagatan Festival

Mercedes, Camarines Norte, August 1 – 8

The Mercedes Kadagatan Festival is a fishermen’s holiday celebration held every August in Mercedes, Camarines Norte, dedicated as an annual thanksgiving for the blessings and bounty received from the Almighty during seafaring, fishing expeditions, and fish farming endeavors. It is also a time for reflection and gratitude to Mother Nature for bestowing vast fishery resources, magnificent shorelines, and other aquatic potentials on Mercedes, as well as the wise utilization and preservation of ecological balance for the attainment of environmental dignity and beauty.

Palu-Palo Festival

Basco, Batanes, August 4-5

The Palu-palo festival is a cultural presentation of the municipality of Basco, Batanes, showcasing their ethnic group’s rugged yet storied existence. Palu-palo refers to the sticks or arnis used by native Ivatans to defend themselves against colonial forces such as Spaniards and Dutch. Traditional suits made of indigenous materials such as flattened tree bark are worn by the natives.

Pangapog Festival

Samal Island, Davao, August 1 – 7

A thanksgiving celebration by the Sama people for a bountiful harvest. The Sama are the indigenous individuals of Samal.

Pangasinan Bamboo Festival

Calasiao and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, August 14

This is a festival that features bamboo planting and film screenings.

Pasaka Festival

Tanuan, Leyte, August 14

Pasaka Festival is a socio-cultural performance depicting a people paying homage to the town’s Patroness, Our Lady of Assumption, as she is taken into Heaven. It is also an act of thanksgiving for the blessings received, as well as a way of welcoming visitors into the Tanauananons’ homes.

Tig-Aw Festival

Tigaon, Camarines Sur, August 5 – 12

The Tig-Aw Festival is held in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, from August 5 to 12. This fiesta honors St. Clare of Assisi, the town’s patroness. Every year, the streets of Tigaon are filled with colorful music as the streets are flooded with events such as the Ylau-Raya Grand Street Dancing Competition, Special Program in the Arts Dance and Musical Night, Tig-Aw Farmers’ Festival, and many more.

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The Philippines has several holidays throughout the year. There are several Philippine festivals in September, with the following being some of the more noteworthy.

KAMAHARDIKAAN SIN TAWI-TAWI

Tawi-Tawi – September

The 11 towns of the province come together for the Kamahardikaan Sin Tawi-Tawi, or celebration of Tawi-Tawi’s foundation anniversary, for a week of celebrations, thankfulness, and a display of their rich culture, customs, and bounty.

The declaration of Tawi-Tawi as a separate province was a major historical event since it addressed the people’s demands for self-governance and independence from Sulu.

The Kamahardikaan Sin Tawi-Tawi, or the Province’s Founding Anniversary, which takes place in September, coincides with the Agal-agal and Lepa Festivals.

AGAL-AGAL FESTIVAL

Tawi-Tawi – September

The Philippines’ biggest producer of seaweed powder is thought to be the province of Tawi-Tawi. In the Sulu archipelago, the word for seaweed is “agal-agal.” It symbolizes the significance of seaweed farming in the thriving seafood industry that dominates the Tawi-Tawi province. It became a way of life for the majority of people and represented a lot of their culture.

The Agal-Agal Festival shows how much the community values the contribution that the ocean has made to their way of life. Tawi-Tawi is a Province made mainly of island settlements surrounded by vast oceans, hence it is well-stocked with marine resources.

The Sama, Badjau, Jama Mapun, and Tausug, who peacefully inhabit the Province, are included in the festival. They have a rich culture and customs that are still practiced and lived by them today.

LEPA FESTIVAL

Tawi-Tawi – September

The Sama D’laut, also known as the Badjaos, are seafaring nomads and “sea gypsies,” and Lepa is their houseboat. In addition to being utilized for transportation, weddings, and even daily living, lepas are also used for fishing.

This festival features men and women dressed in their traditional garb sailing on ornately painted lepas while singing and dancing to the rhythm of gongs and drums.

Aurora Festival

Tanjay, Negros Oriental – last Sunday of August to the first week of September

Over 40 clans attend evening novenas during the festival, which culminates in a nocturnal fluvial procession along the Tanjay River.

Banigan-Kawayan Festival

Basey, Samar – September 29

Hundreds of community members paraded a one-meter wide mat in Fiesta feat in the year 2000. Since then, the town has come to life when it celebrates the feast of St. Michael, its patron saint.

The Banigan-Kawayan Festival is the highlight of the feast, during which the women of Basey weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass known locally as tikog. This tradition has been passed down for many generations and continues to this day.

Bicol Food Festival

Naga City – September 1-30

A food festival that showcases Bicolano cuisine such as Bicol Express, Pinangat, Laing, Pecadillo, Inolokan or Tinolmok, Cocido, and Tinotongan.

Busig-On Festival

Labo, Camarines Norte – September 7 – 9

A festival inspired by the Labo town epic Busig-On, which embodies heroism and Bikolano values. The festival highlights the town’s distinct historical values and sentiments through talent and skill competitions featuring the town’s points of interest.

Dahunog sa Dipolog

Dipolog City – September 26- October 07

An annual celebration that showcases beat band and dance parade competition. Dahunog is a cebuano word that means rumbling sound.

Dalit Festival

Tangub City – September 2

The Dalit Festival is held in honor of the city’s patron, St. Michael the Archangel. Dalit means to give thanks for the entire year of good health, harvest, and protection. Tangub’s normally quiet streets vibrate with drum beats, revelry, and fun.

Diyandi Festival sa Iligan

Iligan City – September 27

The city’s month-long celebration is officially known as the Iligan Diyandi Festival. Its purpose is to promote cultural identity while also honoring the patron saint of the city. The festival’s name was inspired by the word “diyandi,” which means “celebrate.”

Djanggo Festival

Nassiping, Gattaran, Cagayan – September 28-29

This festival commemorates a centuries-old religious and cultural tradition based on the life of St. Michael.

Hin-ay Festival

Irosin, Sorsogon – September 1-29

The Hin-Ay or Paray festival is held in Irosin, Sorsogon, a landlocked rice-producing community, to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. The festival lasts the entire month of September, culminating with the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the local parish church.

Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival

Masbate City – September 30

Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival is observed annually on September 30th as part of the City Anniversary. This event celebrates the traditional folk dance created many years ago by “Lola Felisa,” who imitated the graceful movement of the seagull locally known as Lapay. The dance has evolved and is now recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the country’s official folk dances. This dance was also recognized during the Spanish colonization.

Linapit Food Sharing Festival

Gueday, Besno – September 30

This is a festival that includes a delectable pre-planting feast where natives share their food with everyone. 

Megayon Festival

Provincial Capitol Complex, Dao, Pagadian City – September 27-30

The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration in September that honors the unity of the three settlers who helped establish Zamboanga del Sur: the Subanons (or Subanens), Muslims, and local settlers. The Megayen Festival is Zamboanga del Sur’s official festival. Megayon is the Subaen word for “unity.” The festival highlights the cultural diversity of Zamboanga del Sur’s three ethnic groups. The distinctive cultural dances of each group are key components of the celebration.

Sarakiki Festival

Calbayog City – September 1-8

A street dancing parade that simulates the movements of chickens to the beat of indigenous Samareño musical instruments. Sarakiki is a Waray term describing the frenzied movements of a rooster when trying to mate with a hen or provoking a fight with another rooster.

T’boli Tribal Festival

South Cotabato – 3rd week

Also known as Lemlunay, this festival is staged at Lake Sebu that features tribal rituals. Lemlunay means “paradise”.

Peñafrancia Festival

Naga City – September 13

Naga City, Bicol, celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on the third Saturday of September. The feast is preceded by a novena or nine days of prayer in honor of the Virgin. The Virgin’s image, a replica of the Madonna of Peafrancia, Spain, is carried from its shrine to Naga Cathedral on the first day of the novena. The image is returned to her shrine via the Naga River on the last day. Thousands of candles lit by devotees in boats accompanying the image light up the evening procession. When the barge arrives, devotees yell “Viva la Virgen!” (Long live the Virgin! ), and the image is returned in a procession.

Festivals by Month: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

This page provides a complete list of Filipino festivals in November. Find out when and where the festivals take place and what to buy during the festivities.

LIST OF FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES IN NOVEMBER

1. Binabayani Festival
2. Day-ang Di Onga Festival
3. Feast of San Clemente/ Gigantes
4. Guipao Festival
5. Kalag-Kalag Festival
6. Kawayanan Festival
7. Lambat Festival
8. P’yagsawitan Festival
9. Pintaflores
10. Sanduguan Festival
11. Santa Ipon Festival

PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS IN NOVEMBER

Binabayani Festival

Olongapo, Zambales – Last week

Zambales’ take the world-famous Ati-Atihan. A war dance between Christians and Aetas is performed on the feast day of San Andres, the patron saint of Masinloc. The townspeople believe that performing the Binabayani will result in a bountiful harvest. Binabayani is a war dance that depicts the battle in Masinloc between Christians and Aetas. It’s a Sambal word that means bravery.

Day-ang Di Onga Festival

Baguio City – November 30

This is one of the region’s major events, with young Cordillerans participating in a day-long “celebration of life.”

Higantes

Angono, Rizal – November

Higantes Festival is a celebration in Angono Rizal in honor of San Clemente, the patron saint of the fishermen. This celebration is marked by a parade of paper-mâché giants representing the local’s mockery of bad land owners and as a form of protest during the Spanish colonization.

Guipao Festival

Sagnay, Camarines Sur – November

An annual celebration in honor of its Patron St. Andrew the Apostle. This festival portrays the main source of living for Sagñaynons which is fishing.

Kalag-Kalag Festival

Cebu City – November

Kalag-kalag, or All Souls Day, is a major holiday in the Philippines. Families gather at cemeteries to celebrate and remember their loved ones who have died.

Kawayanan Festival

Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur – 3rd week of November

The Kawayanan Festival celebrates one of the town’s most abundant resources, bamboo. Students of various levels take part in the street dance wearing costumes made of or inspired by bamboo. Meanwhile, various barangays display various bamboo crafts ranging from small home displays to a whole bamboo huts.

Lambat Festival

Pioduran, Albay – Last week of November

This event in Pioduran is to honor its patron Saint Nuestra Señora de Salvacion.

P’yagsawitan Festival

Maragusan, Davao Province – 3rd week of November

A commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Municipality of Maragusan. This is also a thanksgiving festival for bountiful harvests and highlights the rich cultural heritage of Mansaka.

Pintaflores

San Carlos City – November

Pintaflores is a celebration to commemorate the beginnings of San Carlos The highlight is a grand street dancing parade with the dancers decorated with creative tattoos or paint and wearing floral costumes. The festival’s name is derived from the Spanish words “pinta,” which means paint, and “Flores,” which means flowers.

The region now known as San Carlos City was named after a legendary Princess Nabingka who hailed from Cebu City traveled to this nearby island and ruled the barrio during the early part of the 17th century. San Carlos used to be called Nabingkan.

Sanduguan Festival

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro – November

This festival highlights the reenactment of the first barter trade between the indigenous tribe of Mangyan and the Chinese traders. Sanduguan is derived from the Mangyan word “sandugo” which means “brotherhood.”

Santa Ipon Festival

Santa, Ilocos Sur – November to December

This is a Thanksgiving festival and highlights the catching of the ipon. Ipon is a tiny species of fish that can only be found in certain coastal areas of Northern Luzon.

Festivals by Month: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

October is a great time to visit the Philippines because it hosts a number of popular festivals. Here’s the list of the most popular Philippine festivals in October.

Calbayog Grand Karakol

Calbayog City – October 16

Calbayog Grand Karakol Festival is a religious celebration of thanksgiving and the joyous pageantry of dancing San Rafael devotees.

Catadungan Festival

Virac, Catanduanes – October 24

The Catandungan Festival celebrates the anniversary of the town’s independence from the province of Albay. Among the special events at the festival are Pantomina, beauty pageants, guided tours, and photo exhibits. The “Pantomina Catanduanes,” a colorful street dance competition, is held during the festival. Pantomina is a popular dance not only in the province but all over Bicol. Its movements are meant to resemble a rooster and hen mating dance.

Feast of La Naval Manila

Quezon City – October 11

La Naval de Manila is held every second Sunday of October at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. This is a festival commemorating the carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval in 1593. The image, which is elegantly decorated and housed in a well-lit ship carriage, was given as a gift to the Dominican fathers.

During the festival, the beloved image is carried out of the church, followed by a dozen images of Dominican saints. The procession circles the main streets of Sto. Domingo Parish before returning to the church to applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.

Halaran festival

Roxas City – 1st week

The word halaran is derived from the Visayan word halad, which means a gift or an offer. This festival celebrates the Capizeos’ vibrant history and culture. It refers to the time preceding the arrival of the Spaniards during the landing and settlement of the Bornean datus.

The Bornean Datus, legend has it, gave gifts to the Panay aborigines as tokens of goodwill and friendship. As a result, there was a lively Halaran celebration, complete with eating, drinking, and dancing to the exotic beat of drums.

Street dancing, lissome Capizeos, and babaylans making offerings to the spirits are now part of Halaran. The festival celebrates the province’s charms and beauty, as well as its color, romance, and history.

Inug-og Festival

Òroquieta City – October 14

The word halaran comes from the Visayan word halad, which means “gift” or “offer.” This festival honors the Capizeos’ rich history and culture. It refers to the period preceding the Spaniards’ arrival during the landing and settlement of the Bornean datus.

According to legend, the Bornean Datus bestowed gifts on the Panay aborigines as tokens of goodwill and friendship. As a result, a lively Halaran celebration was held, complete with eating, drinking, and dancing to the exotic beat of drums.

Halaran now includes street dancing, lissome Capizeos, and babaylans making offerings to the spirits. The festival honors the province’s beauty and charms, as well as its color, romance, and history.

Kamgbegu Festival

Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur – October15-16

A peace festival celebrated by the people of Duhaylungsod Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.
For many years, rice farming has been the Subanen’s primary source of income, and it is an important part of their culture.

Harvest season is a time for Subanen to gather as one, family and friends, not only for the harvest but also for the sharing of bountiful blessings, singing, dancing, chanting, and feasting on home-cooked delicacies and ‘pangase,’ a rice wine fermented through a traditional process kept and passed down through ancestral lines. 

Kasanggayahan Festival

Sorsogon, Sorsogon – October 1 – 31

The Kasanggayahan Festival, which means “life of prosperity” or kasaganahan in Tagalog, includes an agri-tourism trade fair, historico-cultural parade, pageants, singing and dancing competitions, as well as arts, sports, and culinary competitions throughout the month of October.

Lanzones Festival

Mambajao, Camiguin – October 20 – 27

The Lanzones festival is a way for residents to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest of not only lanzones but also other agricultural products.

The Lanzones fruit is a major source of income for the Camiguin Islands, and this thanksgiving day is dedicated to the annual harvest. Lanzones and lanzones leaves are used to decorate houses, carriages, street poles, and even people. Townspeople celebrate the legend that a beautiful, unknown maiden took away the bitter flavor of the water, leaving only its luscious, sweet taste.

Mambulawan Festival

Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte – October 6 – 7

The festival coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The municipality is rich in gold mines that are called “Bicol Bulawan”.

Masskara Festival

Bacolod City – October

Also known as the “Festival of Smiles.” Participants wear colorful smiling masks to represent happiness. The festival name is coined from two words: “mass”, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word “cara,” meaning mask. Masskara translates to “many faces.”

Parau Festival

Pilar, Sorsogon – October 1 – 12

A festival showcasing the culture and heritage of Pilar.

Rahugan Festival

Basud, Camarines Norte – October 18 – 24

A festival showcasing the culture of Basud. Rahugan comes from the word “rahug” which means a group of coconuts that signifies strength when united.

Sagingan Festival

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – October 17

The Sagingan Festival showcases Tubod, the capital of Lanao del Norte. Lanao del Norte is a banana-growing province, and Tubod is one of its most important producers. The most anticipated event is the street dancing and showdown competition. Tubod’s streets are vibrantly colored and filled with music, highlighting the town’s diverse cultural influences.

Unod Festival

Castilla, Sorsogon – October 1 – 7

A thanksgiving festival for a bountiful harvest of root crops. Unod is a Bicol term meaning root.

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Zamboanga City – October

Also known as Fiesta Pilar, the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is an annual celebration in honor of the Patroness Saint of Zamboanga City, Our Lady of the Pillar better known as Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pila

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