December Fiesta Guide
Popular Philippine Festivals
KAMUNDAGAN Philippine Festival
December 1- December 31 | Naga City
Bustling Naga City becomes doubly busy this month as it celebrates Christmas
along with its charter anniversary day.
Except the residents of this community to play, pray and party with an extended schedule of cultural shows, trade fairs and civic parades.
Not to be missed: the “kiri-kiri” and “pastores” performances, both unique showcases of traditional Bicolano culture.
PASKO SA SUGBU
December 1- December 31 | Cebu
Christmas in Cebu is celebrated with songs, gifts, twinkling lights—and
a month-long program of yuletide events.
Check out the nightly cultural shows for taste of the season, Cebuano-style.
There’s also the various parol, christmas tree and “daygon” competitions, participated in by students from the city’s numerous schools.
CHRISTMAS IN BAGUIO
December 1- December 31 | Baguio City
Mardi Gras, fireworks, lantern and decor contest
LITTLE AND GIANT CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE PLAZA
December 1- December 31 | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
A display of brightly illuminated Christmas Trees around the public plaza
where one can see varied interesting and unique designs and colors depicting
the ingenuity of the people.
Bago City BELEN MAKING CONTEST
December 1- December 31 | Plaza, Bago City, Negros Occidental
An annual event conducted by the City Government of Bago through the Tourism
Affairs Office.
This contest aims to develop creativity and ingenuity of Bagonhon artists.
NEGROS ANNUAL CULTURAL TOUR
December 1- December 31 | Silay/Bacolod City
A tour of Bacolod, Silay, Bago & neighboring areas showcasing Negros
history & culture, arts and attractions.
GALICAYO Philippine Festival
December 1- December 9 | Manaoag, Pangasinan
A province-wide cultural and religious celebration in honor of Pangasinan’s
patroness
SINUKWAN Philippine Festival
December 1- December 10 | San Fernando, Pampanga
The sinukwan Festival heralds the unique culture and distinct beliefs of
the Kapampangans through a colorful street dancing parade
HUGYAWAN DALANSAYAW
December 1- December 10 | Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Hugyawan means “merrymaking and is the main concept of the celebration
and presentation of the street dancing contingents, whose members come
from all parts of the province
CHRISTMAS Philippine Festival
December 1- January 31 | Opol, Misamis Oriental
A monthlong festival of lights and chirstmas decors usually made of indigenous
materials; participated by local offices, schools, private organizations
and religious sector with colorful streetlight decors as one of the major
attractions for the season.
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS
December 1- December 31 | Naawan.
Misamis Oriental
Giant Christmas Symbol contest participated by NGO’s, academe and
private organizations at the main plaza of the Municipality of Naawan
PASIGAHAN SA BALINGASAG
December 1- January 7 | Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
Celebrating Christmas through lights spark more brilliance especially in
small towns where electricity is a luxury.
The month of December till early January is a season for such a luxury and barangay zonal contests even makes it more compelling.
The once darkened streets brighten up and holiday decorations all the more turn the place into a major attraction.
BELEN IN A TREE
December 1- January 7 | Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City
Barangay Iponan’s way of celebrating Christmas is a Nativity Scene
under beautifully lighted tree.
A contest spurs many to take an active role and adds more fun and thrills to the happy holiday spirit of the season.
CAROLING AND BELEN CONTEST
December 1- January 2 | Cagayan de Oro
The more the merrier.
Golden extravaganza is when 80 barangays compete. And when the contest is for the biggest and most colorful Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene, every single one is goldenly happy.
Caroling Contest even makes it more a musical jubilee when every major groups public and private, academic and business, all participate.
On Christmas season, Cagayan de Oro shines brightly in its gold, always.
CHRISTMAS TREE/CHRISTMAS SYMBOL CONTEST
December 1- January 1 | Cagayan de Oro
Provincial Capitol celebrates Christmas along the same path to be merry – light
up a Christmas Tree.
But they make that tree from scratch, out of creativity, ingenuity and collectivity of every department.
What drives best a motivation is a race for the finish line - a brightened spirit of the season.
CHRISTMAS AT GINGOOG CITY
December 1- January 1 | Gingoog City
Gingoog City celebrates Christmas gazing joyously at a solemn Nativity
Scene set.
Along with their own innovative Christmas Arch Competition, glorious participants come from local barangays, schools and institutions public and private.
Observed blissfully, Christmas season comes along with a biblical commemorations.
LIGHT UP BUTUAN FOR CHRISTMAS
December 1- December 31 | Butuan City
The pathways to the homes of Christmas celebrants are illuminated by bulbs.
Butuan City brightens up their holiday season by electrifying the roads
and highways with volts of lightings.
That enlightens every passerby with radiating thoughts of Christmas inspirations.
MINE SAFETY WEEK
December 1- December 7 | Baguio City
A competition among country’s mining industry on safety activities.
THE FIRST PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL SALSA
December 1- December 4 | Dusit Hotel Nikko, Manila.
Experience the Salsa Craze that''s spreading all around the world in the
beautiful city of Manila!
KALAMAY Philippine Festival
December 2 | San Enrique, Iloilo
This festival revolves around the culture, tradition, lifestyle and livelihood
of the which is the sugar industry and its eco-tourism potentials.
The festival features a dance-drama depicting the flourishing sugar (kalamay) industry in San Enrique.
SINADYA SA HALARA FESTIVAL (THANKSGIVING)
December 3- December 8 | Roxas City, Capiz
It means “joy in sharing and thanksgiving” in the local dialect.
Previously celebrated as two separate events, the Sinadya and the Halaran
now take center stage on the first weekend of December.
There’s a lot to share and be thankful for, say the Roxas cityfolk, and its all in this special occasion- there’s a “Diana” fireworks display, a sumptious foodfest and a grand dance festival.
SINADYA SA HALARAN
December 3- December 8 | Roxas City
Sinadya sa Halaran literally means “Joy in Sharing & Thanksgiving”,
fused two major festivals of Capiz-Sinadya and Halaran which were previously
celebrated separately
PASKUHAN SA MARAYKIT
December 3 | San Juan, Batangas
A traditional celebration of yuletide season at Maraykit.
YUGYUGAN Philippine Festival
December 3- December 12 | Pagsanjan, Laguna
The feastival features the history and culture of Pagsanjan through music
ans dance performed by students in Pagsanjan
RIMAT TI AMIANAN
December 3- December 19 | San Fernando City, La Union
Treasures of the North on display.
Glimmering artistry, creativity & ingenuity of Ilocanos & Pangasinense displayed in products and crafts.
Glittering colors of culture & life spelled out in traditional songs and dances. Glowing charm of man-made markers complement the inviting beauty of nature flaunted in landscaping exhibits
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS Philippine Festival
December 5- January 5 | Tangub City
Display of differentindigenous of Christmas symbols; a most spectacular
display of Christmas lights and decors including a Christmas Carol Contest.
KARISYOHAN HAN PASKO HA PALO
December 6- January 6 | Palo, Leyte
A festival to preserve the beautiful old-fashioned Filipino traditions
of celebrating Christmas.
PAGODA AND CARACOL (FLUVIAL PARADE)
December 7- December 9 | Malabon City
The yearly celebrations in the honor of the patroness
REHIYON-REHIYON
December 8 | Marikina City
A program initiated by former mayor Bayani “BF” Fernando, with
a purpose of reviving the tie that binds the clans.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION DAY
December 8 | Cotabato City
Catholics in Cotabato City celebrate the Immaculate Concepcion Day with
a generous helping of pomp, pageantry and prayer.
A grand civic-military parade highlights the festivities, complemented by cultural shows, sports competitions, and of course, lots of religious activities.
FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
December 8 | Puerto Princesa City
It is a religious festival with a dose of good-natured, fun-loving Palaweno
sensibilities.
Check out the nightly cultural presentations by different villagers, culminating in a grand fluvial parade along Pueto Princesa bay.
FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPCION
December 8 | Puerto Princesa City
A grand celebration of the city’s patroness highlighted by a fluvial
parade or Caracol along Puerto Princesa Bay
SAN TEODORO DAY AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FEAST
December 8 | San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental
Tayakad dancing event: Stilts masters systematically march and sway with
the music to the delight of the audience; a funny and very entertaining
event to see.
COCO Philippine Festival
December 8 | San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental
A religious festival honoring the Immaculate Conception.
It features activities such as street dancing, parade of floats, etc., centered on the town’s agricultural bounty: Coconut.
FLUVIAL PROCESSION AT TAAL
December 8- December 9 | Taal, Batangas
Two-day celebration of Taal fiesta.
Residents convene at the riverbanks where bancas are anchored.
TAG-ANITOHAN
December 8- December 9 | Tudela, Camotes Island, Cebu
The festival is a street dancing and ritual contest participated by the
community.
It is history retold of the richness of the town’s origin from immortals to the time of the Christianization until it was separated from its mother town of Poro in the year 1911
PASCOCOWAYAN
December 10 | Isabela City
Christmas carol contest, Christmas light competitions and trade fairs are
among the activities.
SHARIFF KABUNSUAN (ISLAM)
December 10- December 19 | Cotabato City / Maguindanao
The grandest festival commemorating the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an
Arab Malay missionary from Johore, Malay Peninsula to bring Islam in Mainland
Mindanao.
The festival is an annual event that is significant not only to the people of Cotabato City and Region XII but the whole Muslim Mindanao.
Highlights in include Fluvial Parade, Cultural Street Dancing, Banca Race, Ethnic Sports competition, Ethnic Musical Instruments, Q’uaran Reading Contest and other Religious activities.
Philippine Festivals
- January Fiestas
- February Fiestas
- March Fiestas
- April Fiestas
- May Fiestas
- June Fiestas
- July Fiestas
- August Fiestas
- September Fiestas
- October Fiestas
- November Fiestas
- December Fiestas
BONGGAHAN SA VALENCIA
December 10 | Valencia City, Bukidnon
Display of giant lighted figure in the plaza.
COFFEE Philippine Festival
December 11- December 16 | Lipa City, Batangas
The coffee festival was conceived to showcase the long reign of Lipa as the coffee granary of the Philippines
PASKONG HIMIG SA LUNGSOD NG PASIG
December 11- December 17 | Pasig City
A yearly Song and Coral Competition featuring Christmas songs and carols.
PAMPANGA DAY
December 11 | San Fernando, Pampanga
The people of the Province of Pampanga celebrate the official founding
date of pampanga as the first province of Luzon on December 11, 1571
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & MUSIC
December 12 | La Carlota City
Featured in this festival are lighted trees in the park and private and
public buildings.
This also showcases various churches and school choirs in the nightly “Christmas Extravaganza and Concert in the Park”.
KASADYAAN FESTIVAL (MARDI GRAS)
December 12- December 14 | Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Initiated by Foundation University to add color to the local community''s
Christmas season.
The fifty year old tradition is the longest established festival in negros Oriental.
The celebration of merriment includes filed presentation, beauty pagents and frolics and culminates in Kasadyaan mardi gras.
PARAYAN Philippine Festival
December 12 | Pototan, Iloilo
Agro-industrial fair
LANTERN Philippine Festival
December 15- December 31 | Bacolod City
Annual Lantern Festival and participated in by 61 barangays in Bacolod
City.
PANTATAN Philippine Festival
December 15- December 19 | Zarraga, Iloilo
The main purpose of this festival is to promote the town of Zarraga as
one of the major producers and trading center of “pantat” in
Panay Island.
Among the festival activities are the ff: Grand Parade & Street Dancing, Pantat Cooking Contest, Search for Lin-ay sang Zarraga and many more.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
December 16 | Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Christmas for every Barbaranhon is a time for homecoming and family reunions.
As a gesture of welcome, the Municipal Government launched a Christmas Lighting program
PASKUA SILAYNON
December 16- December 31 | Silay City
16-day celebration filled with thanksgiving and Christmas rituals
IWAG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Philippine Festival
December 16- January 3 | Pototan, Iloilo
A kaleidoscope of multicolored lights in a 6 ha.
Plaza with dancing fountain and food festival.
MISA DE GALLO
December 16- December 24 | Nationwide
Misa de Gallo is a Filipino yuletide tradition that starts on the 16th
of December and culminates in a midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Roman Catholics attend the daily mass at three or four in the morning.
Upon exiting the church, the hungry is enticed by the sight and smell of puto bumbong and bibingka (native delicacies made of sticky and glutinous rice sold nearby).
PASKUHAN SA DUMAGUETE
December 16 31 | Dumaguete City, Negros Oiental
Dumaguete observes Christmas with that patented flavor of Negros Oriental.
Expect the city streets to be lit up with millions of light bulbs, complemented by delicate ornaments made from handwoven sinamay fabric.
Still not impressed? Check out the numerous art and craft exhibits and garden shows.
There’s also a food festival and a grand choral presentations, held, of course, in the glowing spirit of the season.
BOD-BOD Philippine Festival
December 16- December 17 | Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
The festival gives emphasis to this native delicacy made of glutinous rice,
coconut milk, sugar and salt.
It features the Biggest Bod-bod that would weigh as much as eighty kilos and requires ten persons to prepare the delicacy, and the Smallest Bod-bod that would come served inside a matchbox
PASKO SA DAPITAN
December 16- January 1 | Dapitan City
Exciting celebration of Christmas through spectacular & elaborate sights
of Christmas symbols and sounds at the City Proper.
PASKO SA DIPOLOG
December 16- January 1 | Dipolog City
Nightly variety shows and display of Christmas decors and lights at the
City Plaza.
CLARK NIGHT MARKET/BAZAAR
December 16 | Bayanihan Park, Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga
The Night Market/Bazaar is a year-end activity that provides a venue for
wholesaler and retailers of food, non-food and other novelty items to sell
their goods at a lower price as compared to regular stores.
PASKUHAN
December 16- December 31 | Regionwide (all Region 11 provinces)
Christmas presentation/activities such as “Pag-ilaw sa Dabaw”,
Lantern Contests, dance and choral competition.
PASCUA NA ZAMBOANGA
December 16- January 1 | Zamboanga City
Lighting of giant Christmas tree.
Most lighted barangay, best belen and the best Christmas tree competition are among the different activities.
SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN Philippine Festival
December 18- December 24 | San Fernando, pampanga
Giant lanterns of participating barangays measuring from 14 feet to 18
feet in diameter in multi-colored designs and patterns thrill and delight
the spectator with their kaleidoscopic patterns of light danced to the
music of accompanying bands.
PASTORES BICOL
December 18 | Legazpi City
Caroling, Bicol-style.
The Pastores is a musical re-enactment of the age-old nativity story.
Colorful costumes are worn by singers, in honor of the biblical sheperds who sang the first Christmas carols.
The performance is done with an entourage of traditional musikeros, lots of dancing, and a generous dose of Christmas cheer.
PALUPOK BAYONG Philippine Festival
December 18 | Bgy. Cabugao Norte, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
A revival of an old tradition in celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo cannons (bayong).
CHRISTMAS FOOD STREET Philippine Festival
December 22 | Cebu City
Spearheaded by the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC).
The event usually features the Food Stalls, Midnight Market, Big Screen Movies, Christmas Carols/Concerts and Lantern Competition.
Likewise, food and handicraft demonstration by certain personalities will be showcased for the public.
MAYTINIS FESTIVAL (GRAND CELEBRATION)
December 24 | Kawit, Cavite
A well-loved Caviteno tradition, the Maytinis is a dramatic retelling of
St.
Joseph’s and Virgin Mary’ search in Bethlehem for a place to stay.
They found not a room, of course, but a stable where Christ was eventually born.
Much rejoicing erupts as the play ends, culminating in a lively parade down the street of Kawit.
It is a uniquely Filipino translation of this ancient biblical episode.
PASIDUNGOG 2005
December 25- December 31 | San Miguel, Iloilo
Conceived not only to promote our local culture, history and tourism but
also to showcase what San Miguel can offer as an agricultural community
through an agricultural fair.
KANYON-KANYON FESTIVAL (PATUNOG-TUNOG KANYON SA NEW YEAR)
December 25- December 31 | Bgy. Cabugao Norte, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
A revival of an old tradition.
This is the residents’ own way of celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo “kanyons”.
PAWIL DAGUPAN
December 25- December 31 | Dagupan City
Part of City Fiesta celebration honoring Dagupeños living abroad
to celebrate Christmas season with their relatives and friens thru colorful
parade and dances.
PUTO Philippine Festival
December 26- December 28 | Calasiao, Pangasinan
Celebration of the town’s major produce, rice cake (puto).
KALIUGYON Philippine Festival
December 28- January 1 | Libacao, Aklan
Kaliugyon means, kali for kalye or streets and ugyon for unity or union
in the streets.
Libacaonons go out for a wild revelry of merrymaking to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
NIÑOS INOSENTES DAY OR YAWA-YAWA Philippine Festival
December 28 | Ibajay, Aklan
It is participated by 2-3 barangays wherein they dress in scary costumes
and they go from house to house asking for Christmas gifts and goodies.
TULTUGAN Philippine Festival
December 29 | Maasin, Iloilo
Tultugan is the Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a word for the indigenous bamboo
drum.
It is the emerging festival of the province and the region.
TULTUGAN FESTIVAL (DRUM & BAMBOO)
December 29 | Maasin, Iloilo
Tultugan is the Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a word for the indigenous bamboo
drum.
It is the emerging festival of the province and the region.
HORSE Philippine Festival
December 29- December 30 | Plaridel, Bulacan
A herd of horses with colorful tilburies parading in the streets of Plaridel
in reverence to St. Apostle.
It is held every 29th and 30th of December.
RIZAL’S DEATH ANNIVERSARY
December 30 | Dapitan City
Declared a national holiday, and Dapitan City which served as Dr.
Jose Rizal’s home for 4 years in exile, highlights of this occasion with activities focusing on Rizal, including lectures on his life, works and ideas by known speakers.
RIZAL DAY COMMEMORATION
December 30 | Silay City Plaza
The day opens with a solemn holy sacrifice of the mass at San Diego Pro-Cathedral
to remember the death of a martyr and hero.
PAKALOG SA PASIG
December 31 | Pasig City
People contribute and lay out a feast on the main street of the barangay
and everybody partakes of it.
Sources:
Department of Tourism
Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp.
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