Characteristics:

Philippine festivals are town fiestas celebrating moments in history that defined identity, polity and locality.

Non-Religious Festival

Dagupan - Bangus Festival

Characteristics:

The festival is held in the beautiful city of Dagupan in the province of Pangasinan. The festival is held in celebration of the city's thriving aquaculture, specializing in bangus or milkfish. Every year, tourists from all walks of life make their way to the city to tantalize their taste buds with this unique delicacy.

Religious Festival

Sinulog Festival

Characteristics:

This is by far the most celebrated festival in the Philippines. Locals and tourists fly to Cebu to commemorate the feast of Santo Niño de Cebu, a Roman Catholic icon given to the islanders by the Spanish upon their arrival in 1521.

Every Feast Day of Santo Niño (or the third Sunday of January), the weekend event is marked by the Sinulog Fluvial Parade on Saturday and the all-day Santo Niño Procession right after Sunday Mass. Don’t mistake this procession for a mundane trot down the street — it’s more like a Philippine Mardi Gras filled with merriment, dancing and elaborate costumes.