Events & Festivities
Notable Events and Festivities
Welcome to our Events and Festivities page, where you can find exciting and memorable events happening in each month of the year. Join us as we celebrate the rich culture and traditions of our community and experience unforgettable moments that will make your visit truly special.
January
Panagtagbo Festival
Every January Before the Sinulog Festival
Translacion (Gathering of the Holy Family), coincidentally the patrons of Cebu are Santo Niño and Birhen ssa Guadalupe, Saint Joseph in Mandaue City. This is celebrated every January when the three statues meet in the national shrine of Saint Joseph often called the Translacion where a fluvial procession follows. There are singing and dancing competitions and street dancing that hapen during the Bibingkahan in the honor of the Sto. Niño.
Sinulog Festival
Every third Sunday of January
Sinulog Festival is a yearly cultural and religious celebration held in Cebu City, Philippines, on the third Sunday of January. The festival honors the Santo Niño de Cebu, a revered religious icon of the Catholic faith in the Philippines. The festivities include a grand procession, street dancing, and colorful pageantry, with participants dressed in vibrant and intricate costumes.
Tagbo Festival
January 19
Tagbo Festival is an annual celebration held every January 19 in Poro, Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines. The festival is dedicated to the town's patron saint, Sto. Niño de Poro. The word 'Tagbo' comes from the Cebuano word for 'gathering,' as the festival is a gathering of the people to celebrate their culture and traditions.
Feast of St. Sebastian
Every January 20
The Feast of St. Sebastian is marked by processions, street dancing, and other cultural activities. It is a time for the community to come together and celebrate their faith and heritage. The festival usually culminates with a Mass in honor of St. Sebastian, followed by a grand fiesta with plenty of food, music, and revelry.
February
Budbod Kabog Festival
February 10
The Budbud Kabog Festival is an annual cultural event celebrated in the city of Tudela, Misamis Occidental in the Philippines. The festival is held in honor of the patron saint of the city, St. Vincent Ferrer. It is usually celebrated every 3rd week of April. The festival features a street dance competition where participants wear colorful and creative costumes made of rice stalks or 'kabog' in the local dialect. The dancers also carry props that represent the agricultural traditions and practices of the city. The festival is also highlighted by the cooking and sharing of the local delicacy called 'budbud kabog,' which is made from glutinous rice mixed with kabog or millet, wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed.
Kabayo Festival
February
The Kabayo Festival is an annual celebration held in Mandaue City, Cebu every February. The festival is a tribute to the city's patron saint, St. Joseph, and is characterized by colorful street parades and dancing. As the name suggests, the festival features horses and is centered around the equestrian culture of the city. One of the highlights of the festival is the horse parade, where beautifully decorated horses are paraded around the city's streets. The festival also features various competitions, such as horse racing, horse jumping, and horseback riding.
Sarok Festival
February 14
Sarok Festival, also called as Adlaw sa Consolacion by the locals, is celebrated every February 14 to celebrate 91st founding anniversary of the municipality of Consolacion, Cebu. The festival is a celebration of the town's rich cultural heritage and traditions. It is also a way for the community to come together and celebrate their unity and solidarity. The festival features a parade of colorful floats and street dancing, as well as various cultural performances and activities.
March
Soli-Soli Festival
March 14
The Soli-Soli Festival is an annual celebration held on March 18th in San Francisco, Camotes Island, which is located in the province of Cebu in the Philippines. The festival is a colorful and vibrant celebration that honors the town's patron saint, St. Joseph. During the festival, the streets are filled with dancers in colorful and elaborate costumes, as well as performers playing traditional instruments. One of the main highlights of the festival is the street dancing competition, where different groups showcase their talents and creativity through their performances.
April
Tostado Festival
3rd Sunday of April
The Tostado Festival is a religious and cultural celebration that takes place on the third Sunday of April in Cebu, Philippines. The festival is primarily centered around the Catholic faith and celebrates the feast day of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. During the festival, various activities are held including a street parade, a fluvial procession, and a cultural show. The street parade is the highlight of the festival and features colorful floats, dancing, and music. The fluvial procession is a religious procession that takes place on the water and involves boats carrying the image of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
Haladaya Festival
Easter Sunday
Haladaya Festival is a religious and cultural celebration held every Easter Sunday in the municipality of Daanbantayan, located in the northern part of Cebu province in the Philippines. 'Haladaya' is a Cebuano term which means 'offering of thanksgiving'. The festival is a tribute to the town's patron saint, St. Rose of Lima, and it is a way for the locals to express their gratitude for the blessings they have received throughout the year. The celebration features a grand procession of the image of St. Rose of Lima, accompanied by colorful and vibrant street dances performed by various groups in the town.
Kadaugan Sa Mactan
April 22nd-27th
Kadaugan sa Mactan is a festival that commemorates the Battle of Mactan, which happened on April 27, 1521. It is held every April 27 in Mactan Island, Cebu. The festival celebrates the bravery of the island's hero, Lapu-Lapu, who defeated the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in a battle that ultimately resulted in the death of Magellan. During the festival, there are parades, street dancing, cultural shows, and reenactments of the battle. There are also food and trade fairs where visitors can sample local delicacies and buy souvenirs. The festival aims to promote the cultural heritage of Mactan Island and to honor the bravery of Lapu-Lapu, who defended his land and people against foreign invaders.
May
Mantawi Festival
May 7
The Mantawi Festival is an annual celebration held every May 7th in Mandaue City, Cebu. The festival celebrates the city's history and heritage as well as its progress and development. It is named after the ancient name of Mandaue, which is 'Mantawi.' During the festival, colorful street dancing performances are held, showcasing the rich culture and traditions of Mandaue City. Participants wear elaborate costumes and perform choreographed dances to the beat of drums and other traditional instruments.
June
Tartanilla Festival
June 12
The Tartanilla festival is Cebu city's way of preserving the tartanilla (horse-drawn carriage) heritage by reviving the oldest mode of transportation to ply some of the city streets.
Camotes Cassava Festival
2nd Week of June
The Camotes Cassava Festival is a celebration held every June in the Camotes Islands, which is a group of islands located in the eastern part of Cebu province, Philippines. The festival is a tribute to the abundance of cassava or kamoteng kahoy in the area, which is a staple crop of the islanders. During the festival, locals showcase different products made from cassava, such as cassava cakes, bibingka, and even cassava wine. There are also street dances, parades, and cultural shows that highlight the culture and traditions of the people of Camotes Islands. The festival is a colorful and vibrant celebration that attracts both locals and tourists to the area.
Palawod Festival
June 17
The Kinsan Festival is a yearly celebration held every June 17 in Aloguinsan, Cebu, Philippines. The festival is a commemoration of the town's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, and is known for its colorful street dance parade where participants wear vibrant costumes and perform traditional dances to the beat of drums and other instruments. The festival also features various activities such as street parties, beauty pageants, and sports competitions. The term 'kinsan' comes from the Cebuano word which means 'to merge,' as the festival is a celebration of the merging of different cultures and traditions in Aloguinsan.
Kuyayang Festival
June
Kuyayang refers to the dance movements conveying courtship and love characterized by the Bagohanon's cariñoso character. Kuyayang mardi gras as a cultural tourism festival manifests the cultural heritage of Bogo as a place and avenue for cultural conservancy program of the city.
Caballo Festival
July 25
The Caballo Festival is a celebration held every July 25 in Compostela, Cebu, Philippines. The festival is a tribute to the town's patron saint, St. James the Apostle, and is highlighted by a colorful parade featuring horses and riders in elaborate costumes. The festival is also an opportunity for the community to showcase their equestrian skills and knowledge of horses, as well as to promote their local horse industry. The festival's name 'caballo' is the Spanish word for horse, reflecting the town's Spanish colonial history.
August
Dinagat 'Bakasi' Festival
2nd Week of August
The Caballo Festival is a celebration held every July 25 in Compostela, Cebu, Philippines. The festival is a tribute to the town's patron saint, St. James the Apostle, and is highlighted by a colorful parade featuring horses and riders in elaborate costumes. The festival is also an opportunity for the community to showcase their equestrian skills and knowledge of horses, as well as to promote their local horse industry. The festival's name 'caballo' is the Spanish word for horse, reflecting the town's Spanish colonial history.
Bonga Festival
August 9
The Bonga Festival is a religious celebration held in Sibonga, Cebu every August 9th in honor of the town's patron saint, Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Sibonga (Our Lady of the Patronage of Sibonga). The festival features a street parade, cultural performances, and a grand procession of the patron saint's image. The locals also participate in a fluvial procession or a procession by sea, wherein the image of the patron saint is carried on a boat around the town's coastal waters. The festival is an important event for the locals, as it showcases their rich culture and devotion to their patron saint.
Siloy Festival
Last Saturday of August
The Siloy Festival is a cultural celebration held every last Saturday of August in Alcoy, Cebu. The festival aims to promote the town's main product, which is the Siloy, a kind of bird that is known for its beautiful feathers and melodious voice. During the festival, colorful costumes are worn by the locals as they participate in street dancing and parades. There are also various activities such as trade fairs, food festivals, and beauty pageants. The Siloy Festival is a popular event that showcases the rich culture and traditions of the people of Alcoy.
September
Kabuhian Festival
3rd Sunday of September
Panginabuhi is a Cebuano word that means livelihood. The festival features the different sources of income of the town of Ronda such as woodcrafting, agriculture, fishing, and native products. Celebrated during the town's fiesta that features activities like trade fair, livelihood forum and a street dancing competition participated by different barangays with a dance movements depicting the varies livelihood programs of the town.
Karansa Festival
3rd Sunday of September
The Karansa Festival is a vibrant and colorful cultural celebration held annually in the city of Danao, located in the province of Cebu, Philippines. This festival is a lively showcase of dance, music, and cultural heritage that brings together locals and visitors alike. The Karansa Festival is named after the lively and energetic 'karansa' dance, which is the highlight of the event. Participants, adorned in vibrant costumes, dance to the rhythm of traditional Cebuano music, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere. The dance is characterized by lively footwork and rhythmic movements, often accompanied by the beat of drums and other traditional instruments.
Pitlagong Festival
3rd Sunday of September
The Pitlagong Festival is a cultural event that showcases the rich heritage and traditions of Argao. The festival pays tribute to the town's agricultural roots and highlights the importance of farming and farming practices in the community. During the festival, locals participate in various activities and performances that depict the agricultural life of Argao. Colorful street parades and dances take place, featuring participants in vibrant costumes and props representing farm tools and agricultural products. The festival often includes competitions, exhibits, and demonstrations related to farming and agriculture. You can expect to see displays of local produce, handicrafts, and traditional culinary delights.
October
Sinanggiyaw Festival
October 4
The Sinanggiyaw Festival is a cultural celebration held in Dumanjug, Cebu, on the 4th of October each year. It is a local festival that highlights the unique traditions and heritage of the town. During the Sinanggiyaw Festival, the streets come alive with vibrant parades, street dances, and various cultural presentations. Participants showcase their creativity through colorful costumes, elaborate floats, and lively performances. The festival often features dance competitions, showcasing the talents and skills of local performers.
Inasal Festival
October 14-15
The Inasal Festival is a culinary and cultural event that pays homage to the popular Filipino dish known as 'inasal.' Inasal is a type of grilled chicken marinated in a special blend of spices and flavors, typically cooked over hot charcoal or open flame. It is a beloved dish in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas region. During the Inasal Festival, locals and visitors come together to celebrate the culinary heritage of Talisay City. The festival showcases various inasal dishes prepared by local restaurants and vendors. Visitors have the opportunity to indulge in the flavorful chicken inasal, along with other traditional Filipino dishes and delicacies.
November
Kabkaban Festival
October 24-25
The Kabkaban Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration held in Carcar City, Cebu, typically in November. The festival is a showcase of the city's rich heritage, traditions, and artistic talents. During the Kabkaban Festival, the streets of Carcar City come alive with colorful parades, street dances, and various cultural performances. Participants, adorned in intricate and eye-catching costumes, dance to the rhythm of traditional music, showcasing the unique cultural identity of the city. The festival derives its name from the Cebuano word 'kabkaban,' which refers to the local tradition of decorating the streets and houses with dried banana leaves, colorful banners, and other creative materials. This practice adds to the festive atmosphere and creates a visual spectacle during the celebrations.
December
Kawayan Festival
December 2
Kawayan is the vernacular term for bamboo and is the major source of livelihood and income in Alegria. The street dancing competition is based on kawayan and is slated during the town's fiesta in honor of Saint Francis Javier
Sadsad Festival
December 2
The Sadsad Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration held in Oslob, Cebu, on December 8th each year. The festival is deeply rooted in the town's religious traditions and is held in honor of the Immaculate Conception, which is also celebrated on the same day. During the Sadsad Festival, locals gather in the streets dressed in colorful traditional costumes. They form processions and perform lively and rhythmic dances known as 'sadsad,' hence the name of the festival. The sadsad dances are accompanied by the beat of drums and other traditional musical instruments, creating an energetic and festive atmosphere.