2017 is looking bright! As all eyes are on the Philippines as we host the 2017 Miss Universe, a major international event that will surely boost the country’s already growing tourism industry.
The world is also excited with the increasing trend of Filipino cuisine – a mix of Spanish, Malay, Chinese and Southeast Asian influences! Bloomberg declared “The Explosion of Filipino Food” in 2017 in the article, “Eleven Fancy Food Trends You’ll Face in 2017.”
With more than 7000 islands, the Philippines does not fail to impress with the many colorful fiestas, beautiful beaches, rich history and untouched countryside that’ll make you feel alive!
So if you’re looking for a new adventure or an explosion of flavors on your palette, here are the countless fiestas and food events that’ll surely make your 2017 awesome!
1 New Year’s Day (Sunday)
Celebrated in Manila with wild fireworks displays, firecrackers, delicious food, and champagne.
More Info: NEW YEAR’S EVE MANILA 2017: Where are you Celebrating NYE in Manila?
2 Special Non Working Holiday (Monday)
Getting well-deserved rest after the revels of New Year’s Day
8-15 Coconut Festival | San Pablo City, Laguna
A festival celebrating the city’s main crop, coconut, and their patron saint, Paul the Hermit; full of floats, parades, dances, and beauty pageants.
More Info:
Coconut Festival Official FB Page
9 Feast of the Black Nazarene | Quiapo, Manila
A religious procession where a statue of Jesus, revered for its blessings of fortune and good health, is paraded around the streets.
More Info: The Feast of the Black Nazarene: A Display of Pure Devotion
10 Hinugyaw Festival | Koronadal, South Cotabato
A lively festival celebrating the history of the ethnic groups in Koronodal.
More Info: About Hinugyaw Festival
13-15 Sinulog Festival | Cebu City
Cebu’s biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Sto. Niño
More Info: Sinulog Official Website and Sinulog Festival 2017 Schedule
13-15 Ati-Atihan Festival | Kalibo Aklan
Commemorates the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Niño.
More Info: Kalibo Ati-Atihan Official Website and Ati-atihan Schedule
15-30 Miss Universe| Manila
The Philippines will host the 65th Miss Universe pageant for 2017!
More Info: Miss Universe Official Website
20-22 Dinagyang Festival | Ilo-Ilo City
Street dancing characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing & chanting all day and night.
More Info: Dinagyang Official FB Page and Iloilo’s Dinagyang: Hala Bira! Viva Señor Santo Niño!
28 Chinese New Year of the Fire Rooster (Saturday)
The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese New Year with pomp & color through a dragon dance.
31 Feast of St. John Bosco
Celebration of the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth who founded the Salesian Society.
More info: Don Bosco Official Website
2 Feast of Our Lady of Candles | Jaro, Iloilo
Western Visayas celebrates the Patroness of their region.
11 Feast Day of our Lady of Lourdes
Celebration of the Our Lady of Lourdes’ Apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France
11 Tinagba Festival, Iriga City, Bicol
A thanksgiving offertory seeking another year of bounty.
11-14 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta | Clark, Pampanga
Watch the awesome hot air balloons fly out as the sun rises in the horizon.
More Info: Philippine Balloon Fest Official Website
11 – (March 18) Philippine International Pyromusical Competition | Manila
An event showcasing Filipino ingenuity and artistry as the sky is painted with multicolored fireworks.
More Info: Pyro Philippines Official FB Page and Pyro Philippines Official Website
14 Valentines Day
Filipino lover’s most romantic event of the year!
21-27 Kalilangan Festival | General Santos City
A festival honoring the rich culture and history of Indigenous Blaan, Moro Groups, and the first Christian Settlers in the country’s Tuna capital.
More Info: Kalilangan Official FB Page and Kalilangan Festival Official Website
25 EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Saturday)
Commemorates the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that Filipinos came to known for.
25-26 Panagbenga Festival | Baguio
Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival which showcases the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers.
More Info: Panagbenga 2016 Schedule of Activities
1 Ash Wednesday
The First Day of Lenten Season in the Philippines
2-31 Strawberry Festival | La Trinidad, Benguet
A delicious celebration of the Strawberry following a fun run and strawberry cake competition.
More Info: Strawberry Festival Official Website
4 Wanderland Festival | Manila
A festival featuring art, community-building, as well as local and international indie acts.
More Info: Wanderland Festival Official Website
10-12 Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival | Puerto Galera
An international event set within the tropical gardens situated the foot of Mt. Malasimbo where the grass-terraced amphitheater overlooks one of the most beautiful bays in the world—spans across 2 weekends.
More Info:Malasimbo Official FB Page and Malasimbo Official Website
18-19 Banana Festival | Baco, Oriental Mindoro
A thanksgiving event bringing farmers together to celebrate the plentiful harvest of Señorita, Latundan, Lacatan, and Saba bananas.
More Info: Banana Festival Official Website
25 Earth Hour | 8.30-9.30
Cities and towns all over the world will switch off their lights for one hour—EARTH HOUR—sending a powerful global message that it is possible to take action on global warming.
More Info: Earth Hour Official Website
25 Feast of the Annunciation
Commemorates the visit of angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, informing her she informed her be the mother of Jesus Christ.
25 Kaamulan Festival | Malaybalay, Bukidnon
l fiesta of the 7 Ethnic Tribes in Bukidnon—The Matigsalug, Tigwahanun, Higaunu, Umayamnun, Manobo, Bukidnon, and Talaandig. It is a cultural celebration of the tribes’ legendary stories, ancient rituals, ethnic music, and traditional dances.
More Info: Kaamulan Festival Official FB Page and Kaamulan Schedule of Activities 2017
28-30 Daragang Magayon Festival | Legazpi, Albay
A conference attended by thousands of participants working towards female empowerment and the reshaping of women’s roles in society.
More Info: Daragang Magayon Official Website
Big Banquet 5 | Blue Leaf
A event that brings together the best caterers and restaurants in Manila
More Info: BIG BANQUET 4: BIZU Reigns as 4-time Champion Caterer in Manila! @THEBLUELEAF
3 Feast of the Divine Mercy
The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!
6-8 Madrid Fusion Manila | Manila
A culinary congress gastronomical proportions that brings together world-class chefs.
More Info: Madrid Fusion Manila Official Website
7 Feast of St. John Baptist De La Salle
Celebration of the feast day of the Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
More Info: De La Salle University Official Website
6-30 Bangus Festival, Dagupan
This festival lavishly celebrates the humble Bangus though cooking contests, street barbecues and milkfish-themed dances.
More Info: Bangus Festival Official Website and Bangus Festival Official FB Page
7-10 Manila International Auto Show | Manila
A world-class exhibition of the latest car models around.
More Info: Manila Auto Show Official Website
6-8 Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 (3rd Edition) | Manila
Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) is the first and only Asian edition of Madrid Fusion, the most important international gastronomy congress in the world, celebrated annually in Madrid since 2003. MFM brings together the most acclaimed avant-garde chefs from across the globe.
More info: http://www.madridfusionmanila.com/
9 Araw ng Kagitingan (Saturday)
Also known as “Bataan Day”, this holiday commemorates the fall of Bataan during WWII.
13 Maundy Thursday
Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
14 Good Friday
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
14 Cutud Cruxificions | San Fernando, Pampanga
The old tradition of dramatizing the passion and death of Jesus Christ (called Via Crusis) was played out on the streets leading to the crucifixion site before the 1pm Crucifixion.
15 Black Saturday
The continued mourning of Jesus Christ still laying in the tomb.
16 Easter Sunday
The joyous revival of Jesus Christ as he rises from the dead.
19-22 Mango Festival | Zambales
A fiesta of the plentiful and sweet mangoes of Zambales—followed by mango-eating contests, street parades, float competitions, dances, trade fairs, and a variety show!
More Info: Mango Festival of Zambales
20-22 Aliwan Fiesta | Pasay City
A fiesta bringing together multiple cultures and their stories at Pasay City.
More Info: Aliwan Fiesta Official FB Page
22 Earth Day
A day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.
More Info: Earth Day Philippines Official Website and Earth Day Official Website
23 Feast of the Divine Mercy
The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!
25 Moriones Festival | Marinduque
A folk-religious festival during Holy Week where masked men wearing Moriones (Roman helmet) scare children in the reenactment of the Longinus.
27-29 Binirayan Festival | Antique, Visayas
A weeklong celebration of Antique’s past commemorating the arrival of 10 Bornean Datus on Panay.
More Info: Binirayan Festival, A Celebration of Antique’s Past
1 Labor Day (Monday)
A day that honors the Labor movement.
1 Laboracay | Boracay
Spend your labor day partying at Boracay’s pristine beaches!
More Info: Laboracay Official Website
1 SuMaKah Festival | Antipolo, Rizal
A fiesta celebrating Filipino favourites such as Suman, Mangga, and Kasoy.
More Info: Antipolo Government Official FB Page
14 Mother’s Day
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome mothers!
14 Carabao Festival | Pulilan, Bulacan
Held on the feast of St. Isidro, this festival pays tribute to he hard-working Carabao used in agriculture.
More Info: About the Carabao Festival and Pulilan Government Official Website
15 Pahiyas Festival | Lucban, Quezon
One of the most popular fiestas in the Philippines, held in honor of San Isidro Labrador, Catholic Patron Saint of Farmers.
More Info: Pahiyas Festival Official Website
PAHIYAS: Our Awesome Guide to the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon! @TourismPHL
17-19 Obando Fertility Rites | Obando, Bulacan
Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child.
More Info: About the Obando Fertility Rites
20-21 Sarangani Bay Festival | Glan, Saranggani
Head to the biggest beach festival in Mindanao full of action-packed activities that are fun for the entire family.
More Info: Sarangani Bay Festival Official FB Page and About the Sarangani Bay Festival
28 National Flag Day
Start of the designated flag days where all government offices, business establishments, and private homes are also encouraged to display the flag.
12 Independence Day
Commemorates the Independence Day of the Philippines from the Spaniards
18 Father’s Day
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome fathers!
19 Dr. Jose Rizal Birth Anniversary
Commemorating the birth of one of the greatest Filipinos to ever live.
24 Feast day of St. John the Baptist
Feast of St. John the Baptist, the man who supposedly baptized Jesus Christ.
24 San Juan Day Festival | San Juan City, Metro Manila
The city of San Juan, named after St. John Baptiste, celebrates this day by wetting people around the streets with hoses.
24 Lechon Festival | Balayan, Batangas
A Lechon Parade celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist in Balayan Batangas
More Info: About the Lechon Parade
LECHON FESTIVAL: Our Awesome Guide to the Lechon Festival in Balayan, Batangas! @TourismPHL
26 Eid al-Fitr (Sunday, estimated day)
An Islamic holiday, marking the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan.
29 Pentados-Kasadyaan Festival | Tacloban City
A feast that donors the Señor Santo Niño de Leyte.
More Info: About the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival and Tacloban Fiesta
World Street Food Congress 2017 | Philippines
A global conversation on promoting comfort, heritage street food culture that ims to preserve the stories of our heritage food, professionalize the street food craft, and provide opportunities for business.
More Info: World Street Food Congress Official Website
World Street Food Congress: Making Filipino Food a Global Sensation! (A Photo Essay)
1-31 Sandugo Festival | Bohol
This festival commemorates the treaty of friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi, representing the king of Spain.
More Info: Sandugo Festival Official Website
10-18 T’nalak Festival | South Cotabato
A festival that celebrates the anniversary of South Cotobato; this is full of intricate, colorful T’boli costumes, sports activities, and dance contests.
More Info: Tnalak Festival Official Website
11 Feast Day of St. Benedict
A celebration of the founder of the Benedictine Monastary and father of Western Monasticism.
16 Feast Day of St. Anne
Celebration of the feast day of the Mother of Mother Mary.
17-25 Kinabayo Festival | Dapitan City
A two-day festival celebrated by Zamboangueños in honor of St. James—the activities reenacts the Spanish-Moor warsat the battle of Cavadonga.
More Info: About the Kinabayo Festival
31 Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Celebration of the feast day of the Father General of the Jesuits. A 30-day retreat follows the celebration.
2-5 World Food Expo (WOFEX)
The WOFEX is one of the most anticipated food expositions in the country, whose goal is to offer supply solutions to the food industry.
More Info: World Food Expo Official Website
3-30 Ibalong Festival | Legaspi City
A non-religious festival that donors the Ibálong, a 60-stanza Bicolano Epic.
More Info: About Ibalong Festival
6-17 Cinemalaya | Manila
A film festival that promotes the growth and invest in the local indie film industry.
More Info: Cinemalaya Official Website and Cinemalaya Official FB Page
15 Assumption of Mother Mary
Celebrates the taking of Mother Mary into heaven.
18-20 Kadayawan Festival | Davao City
This festival gives thanks to the bounty of fruits and flowers as the waling-waling orchid blooms.
More Info: About Kadayawan Festival and Kadayawan Festival Official FB Page
21 Ninoy Aquino Day (Monday)
A non-working holiday commemorating the assassination of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
24-25 Geeks on the Beach 5
An international conference for techies, startup-enthusiasts, designers, and people who want to change the world!
More Info: Geeks on a Beach Official Website
29 Kagay-an Festival – Feast Day of St. Augustine | Cagayan de Oro
A citywide festival a Cagayan De Oro celebrating the feast of of St. Augustine.
More Info: Kagay-An Festival Official FB Page
29 National Heroes Day (Tuesday)
A day to remember all national Filipino heroes.
31 Eid al-Adha (Thursday, estimated day)
An Islamic holiday, marking the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan.
4 Tuna Festival | General Santos City
A festival that pays homage to the city’s prime commodity.
More Info: General Santos Official Website and General Santos News Official FB Page
7 Sarakiki-Hadang Festival | Calbayog City
Sarakikiki describes the movement of the rooster trying to attract a hen, while “handang” refers to an age-old offer to the the gods—this festival consists of fervent dancing believed to cure the sick and bring bountiful harvests.
More Info: About Sarakiki-Handang Festival
8 Mother Mary’s Birthday
Celebration of the Virgin Mary’s birth date.
10 Grand Parent’s Day
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome grandparents!
11-22 Peñafrancia Festival Viva La Virgen | Naga City
Bicol Region’s biggest celebration is highlighted by a fluvial parade of Lady of Penafrancia carried through the river aglow with floating candles.
More Info: Naga City Official FB Page and Peñafrancia Festival Schedule of Activities
13-17 Manila International Book Fair | SMX Convention Center, Manila
Bookworms gather at SMX Convention Center at a book fair that boasts some of the largest collections of graphic novels, fiction, textbooks, and more!
More Info: Manila Book Fair Official FB Page
17 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross | Tarlac
Public exposition and Veneration of the Relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ at the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastery in Tarlac.
23 Feast Day of Padre Pio
Feast of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
29 Iligan Fiesta – Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel | Iligan City
The city commemorates its patron saint, Michael the Archangel, with dancing and trade fairs.
More Info: Iligan Fiesta Official FB Page and About Iligan Fiesta
Ultimate Taste Test 2016
Bringing together some of the best concessionaires around Manila—a true foodie experience.
More Info: Ultimate Taste Test FB Page and Ultimate Taste Test 2016: And the Winners are…
1 Feast of St. Therese of Child Jesus
Feast of Saint Therese of the Little Flower.
4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. Pet blessings are held to celebrate his feast
5 World’s Teachers Day
Happy Teachers Day to honor the noble profession of teaching.
14-24 Calacatchara Festival | Calaca, Batangas
The festival name being a portmanteau of “Calaca” and “Atchara”, a pickled dish of raw papaya—the fiesta was meant to boost the then weakening Atchara industry.
More Info: Calacatchara Official FB Page and About Calacatachara Festival
19-23 Diwali Festival of Lights
Indian New Year Festival of Lights
19 Masskara Festival | Bacolod
Experience 20 days of merry making with street parties, endless food, and wonderful masquerade costumes that make up Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival.
More Info: About Bacolod’s Masskara Festival and BACOLOD: Our Awesome Guide to MassKara Festival! @TourismPHL
18-28 Lanzones Festival | Camiguin Island
This festival is celebration of the Lanzones fruit, part of Camiguin’s source of livelihood.
More Info: Lanzones Festival Official FB Page and About Lanzones Festival
30 Fiestang Kuliat Angeles, Pampanga
A fiesta honoring two patrons: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and Lord of the Holy Sepulcher.
More Info: Fiestang Kuliat Official FB Page and About Fiestang Kuliat
31 Special Non-Working Holiday (Tuesday) / Halloween
Celebrate this day with family or out trick or treating!
1 All Saints Day (Wed)
Celebrate this day with family or out trick or treating!
1 Festival of Fire | Sagada, Mt. Province
A day where Sagadians light up fires to give warmth to departed souls.
2 All Souls Day (Thursday)
A day where families go to cemeteries to remember and pray for the dead.
3-5 Pintaflores Festival | San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
This festival was inspired by the victory of a princess that travelled distant lands, who during her travels got sick, but was healed through flower tattoos.
More Info: Pintaflores Festival Official Website and About Pintaflores Festival
22-23 Higantes Festival | Angono, Rizal
A festival honoring Saint Clemente, the patron saint of fishermen.
More Info: About Higantes Festival
23 Thanksgiving Day
A Western holiday giving thanks for the blessing of harvest in the preceding year.
24 Black Friday
Following Thanksgiving, Black Friday is considered the beginning of Christmas shopping where stores open very early and sell their items for extremely cheap prices.
25 Pawikan Festival | Morong, Bataan
The Pawikan Festival is held yearly at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan. The main activity here is the releasing of the baby pawikan, which are hatched in the conservation center.
More Info: PAWIKAN FESTIVAL: Help Save the Turtles!
27 Cyber Monday
A term after the Thanksgiving holiday urging people to shop online.
30 Bonifacio Day (Thursday)
A day honoring one of the Philippine Heroes, Andrés Bonifacio
3-9 Sinukwan Festival | San Fernando
Sinukwan Festival celebrates the cultural diversity of Pampanga by honoring “Airing Sinukwan”, the God of the Kampampangans.
More Info: Sinukwan Festival Official Website
8 Immaculate Concepcion
A holy day of obligation.
9 Ligligan Parul Giant Lantern Festival | San Fernando
A Show-Off of Kapampangan Pride culminated with a display of Giant Lanterns measuring 18 feet in diameter.
16 Oblation Run
The annual naked run of the full-pledge members of Alpha Phi Omega society is a tradition that started in 1977 to protest the banning of the movie, “Hubad na Bayani,” which depicted human rights abuses in the martial law era. The date honors their international founding day on December 16th, 1925.
16-24 Simbang Gabi Novena
Start of early morning vigil 9 days before Christmas
24 Christmas Eve (Sunday)
A day before Christmas where most Filipino Families gather for “Noche Buena” dinner.
25 Christmas Day (Monday)
A day symbolic of the birth of Jesus Christ.
30 Rizal Day (Saturday)
A day honoring the life and works of Dr. José Rizal
31 New Year’s Eve (Sunday)
You can celebrate this spectacular day at home or party like it’s the last night of you’re life!
More Info: NEW YEAR’S EVE MANILA 2017: Where are you Celebrating NYE in Manila?
Live an Awesome Life,
Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We wrote this article with our biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Let me know if you have suggestions, corrections, or comments on the Holiday and Festival schedules.