KAMUNDAGAN FESTIVAL
Naga City | December 1- 31
A month-long celebration of the town’s charter anniversary and the Birth of Christ highlighted by events such as “Kiri-Kiti”, “pastoras” beauty pageant, agro-industrial fair, civic parade and cultural shows.
Contact:
Office of the Mayor
Naga City
T# (054) 811-3961
Fax: 811-1286
PASKO SA SUGBU
Cebu | December 1-31
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
Baguio City | December 1- December 31
Mardi Gras, fireworks, lantern and decor contest
LITTLE AND GIANT CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE PLAZA
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental | December 1- December 31
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.
BELEN MAKING CONTEST
Plaza, Bago City, Negros Occidental | December 1- December 31
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
Silay/Bacolod City | December 1- December 31
A tour of Bacolod, Silay, Bago & neighboring areas showcasing Negros history & culture, arts and attractions.
GALICAYO FESTIVAL
Manaoag, Pangasinan | December 1-9
A province-wide cultural and religious celebration in honor of Pangasinan’s patroness
RIMAT TI AMIANAN
San Fernando City, La Union | December 1-18
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
SINUKWAN FESTIVAL
San Fernando, Pampanga | December 1-7
The sinukwan Festival heralds the unique culture and distinct beliefs of the Kapampangans through a colorful street dancing parade
HUGYAWAN DALANSAYAW
Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental | December 1-7
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. The main goal of hugyawan is to showcase the unique way of life of the inhabitants of Negros Oriental, and at the same time, capture the customary response of the Negrenses towards Nature, Fate, and God has gifted him with, thanksgiving through celebration, merrymaking and revelry.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Opol, Misamis Oriental | December 1- January 31
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
Naawan. Misamis Oriental | December 1- December 31
Giant Christmas Symbol contest participated by NGO’s, academe and private organizations at the main plaza of the Municipality of Naawan
PASIGAHAN SA BALINGASAG
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental | December 1- January 7
A Chirstmas décor contest usually participated by different barangay and zones, eith fully decorated and lighted streets as its major attractions for the month of December and early part of January.
BELEN IN A TREE
Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City | December 1- January 7
Barangay Iponan version of celebrating Christmas with street decors and Belen contest in a fully lighted tree as its major attraction.
CAROLING AND BELEN CONTEST
Cagayan de Oro | December 1- January 2
Cagayan de Oro merriest time when the 80 barangay’s prepare their entries for the biggest and most colorful Christmas Tree & Belen. This event is also complimented with Caroling Contest participated by schools, academe, religious group and NGO’s & supported by private sector.
CHRISTMAS TREE/CHRISTMAS SYMBOL CONTEST
Cagayan de Oro | December 1- January 1
Provincial Capitol celebrating Christmas with huge Christmas tree Contest participated by various departments Entires are usually indigenous and recycled materials complemented with colorful and stylish Christmas lights.
CHRISTMAS AT GINGOOG CITY
Gingoog City | December 1- January 1
Gingoog City celebrate Christmas with Belen and most colorful Christmas Arch Competion. The event is usually participated by local barangays, schools and private institutions.
LIGHT UP BUTUAN FOR CHRISTMAS
Butuan City | December 1- December 31
A festival of lights done during Christmas season among urban and highway barangays of the city including private and government establishments.
MINE SAFETY WEEK
Baguio City | December 1- December 7
A competition among country’s mining industry on safety activities.
LUGLUGAN – PANCIT MALABON FESTIVAL
Malabon City | December 1-10
to commemorate the feast of Immaculate Concepcion, Malabon’s patron saint.
KALAMAY FESTIVAL
San Enrique, Iloilo | December 2
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)
Roxas City, Capiz | December 3- December 8
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.
PASKUHAN SA MARAYKIT
San Juan, Batangas | December 5 (1st Saturday of the month)
A traditional celebration of yuletide season at Maraykit, San Juan, Batangas. Celebration includes “Juego de Anillo”, Lantern Making Contest, Search for Most Decorated House and Gift Giving to indigent families.
Contact : Office of the Mayor
San Juan, Batangas
Telephone No. (043)-575-3210 / (043) 575-3854
YUGYUGAN FESTIVAL
Pagsanjan, Laguna | December 3- December 12
The festival features the history and culture of Pagsanjan through music and dance performed by students in Pagsanjan in street dancing seven nightly programs.
Contact : Office of the Mayor
Pagsanjan, Laguna
Telephone No. (049) 821-7950 / 808-4057
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS FESTIVAL
Tangub City | December 6
Display of different indigenous of Christmas symbols; a most spectacular display of Christmas lights and decors including a Christmas Carol Contest.
KARISYOHAN HAN PASKO HA PALO
Palo, Leyte | December 6- January 6
A festival to preserve the beautiful old-fashioned Filipino traditions of celebrating Christmas.
KARISYOHAN HAN PASKO HA PALO
Palo, Leyte | December 6- January 6
A festival to preserve the beautiful old-fashioned Filipino traditions of celebrating Christmas.
PAGODA AND CARACOL (FLUVIAL PARADE)
Malabon City | December 7- December 9
The yearly celebrations in the honor of the patroness
MARIKINA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: BATTLE OF THE IRON CHEFS:SEAFOOD COOKING DEMO
Marikina River Bank | December 7
One of the major events included in this year”s Marikina Christmas Festival
REHIYON-REHIYON
Marikina City | December 8
A program initiated by former mayor Bayani “BF” Fernando, with a purpose of reviving the tie that binds the clans.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION DAY
Cotabato City | December 8
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 (BURUNYUGAN)
Puerto Princesa City | December 8
A grand celebration of the city’s patroness highlighted by a fluvial parade or Caracol along Puerto Princesa Bay. Burunyugan and nightly cultural presentations of the different barangay and civic organizations of Puerto Princesa City are being held.
Contact : City Tourism Office
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Telephone No. (048) 433-2983/ 433-4211
SAN TEODORO DAY AND IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FEAST
San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental | December 8
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.
Contact : Provincial Tourism Office
Province of Oriental Mindoro
Telephone No. (043) 286-7046/ 441-0303
COCO FESTIVAL
San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental | December 8
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
Taal, Batangas | December 8-9
A two-day celebration of Taal town fiesta. Taal residents convene themselves at the riverbank where several bancas are anchored. The image of Our Lady of Caysasay is carried by the devotees in a fluvial procession at the Pansipit River and through the streets of Taal and finally brought to Basilica of Taal. On the next day, the image of Our Lady of Caysasay along with St. Martin de Tour, the patron saint of Basilica joins the evening long procession. During the procession, chosen girls dressed in white, stop at the street corner and hail the Virgin by reciting Luwa or praises to the Virgin Mary until it reaches again the Basilica, which is welcome by the lights of fireworks and the playing of bands.
Contact : Office of the Mayor
Taal, Batangas
Telephone No. (043) 421-1060
TAG-ANITOHAN
Tudela, Camotes Island, Cebu | December 8-9
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
Isabela City | December 10
Christmas carol contest, Christmas light competitions and trade fairs are among the activities.
BONGGAHAN SA VALENCIA
Valencia City, Bukidnon | December 10
Display of giant lighted figure in the plaza.
PAMPANGA DAY
San Fernando, Pampanga | December 11
The people of the Province of Pampanga celebrate the official founding date of pampanga as the first province of Luzon on December 11, 1571
PASKONG HIMIG SA LUNGSOD NG PASIG
Pasig City | December 11- December 17
A yearly Song and Coral Competition featuring Christmas songs and carols.
KASADYAAN FESTIVAL (MARDI GRAS)
Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental | December 12-14
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 FESTIVAL
Pototan, Iloilo | December 12
Agro-industrial fair
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & MUSIC
La Carlota City | December 12
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”.
KANYONG KAWAYAN FESTIVAL
Kidapawan City, North Cotabato | December 14 20
A unique activity to discourage the use of dangerous pyrotechnics during the yuletide season. A citywide contest features the firing of bamboo canons using empty milk cans as projectiles.
SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
San Fernando, Pampanga | December 14-20
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.
BOD-BOD FESTIVAL
Tanjay City, Negros Oriental | December 14-16
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
LANTERN FESTIVAL
Bacolod City | December 15- December 31
Annual Lantern Festival and participated in by 61 barangays in Bacolod City.
SHARIFF KABUNSUAN (ISLAM)
Cotabato City / Maguindanao | December 15-19
The grandest festival commemorating the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab Malay missionary from Johore, Malay Peninsula to bring Islam in Mainland Mindanao.
PANTATAN FESTIVAL
Zarraga, Iloilo | December 15- December 19
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
Santa Barbara, Iloilo | December 16
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
IWAG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Pototan, Iloilo | December 16-31
The municipal plaza of Pototan is transformed into a fairyland of lights to usher in Christmas
PASKUA SILAYNON
Silay City | December 16- December 31
16-day celebration filled with thanksgiving and Christmas rituals
MISA DE GALLO
Nationwide | December 16- December 24
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
Dumaguete City, Negros Oiental | December 16-31
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.
CLARK NIGHT MARKET/BAZAAR
Bayanihan Park, Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga | December 16
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.
PASKO SA DAPITAN
Dapitan City | December 16- January 1
Exciting celebration of Christmas through spectacular & elaborate sights of Christmas symbols and sounds at the City Proper.
PASKO SA DIPOLOG
Dipolog City | December 16- January 1
Nightly variety shows and display of Christmas decors and lights at the City Plaza.
PASKUHAN
Regionwide (all Region 11 provinces) | December 16- December 31
Christmas presentation/activities such as “Pag-ilaw sa Dabaw”, Lantern Contests, dance and choral competition.
PASCUA NA ZAMBOANGA
Zamboanga City | December 16- January 1
Lighting of giant Christmas tree. Most lighted barangay, best belen and the best Christmas tree competition are among the different activities.
PASTORES BICOL
Legazpi City | December 12
An interpretative folk-festival related to the celebration of Christmas tradition. It reenacts the rejoicing shepherds who sang the first Christmas Carol during the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Participants are clad in colorful costumes with the traditional “arco” as they sing and dance to the tune of “Pastores A Belen.
Contact:
Dir. Maria O. Ravanilla
DOT-Region V
T# (052) 820-3664/
482-0712/820-5066
PALUPOK BAYONG FESTIVAL
Bgy. Cabugao Norte, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo | December 18
A revival of an old tradition in celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo cannons (bayong).
TULTUGAN FESTIVAL
Maasin, Iloilo | December 21-27
Tultugan is the Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a word for the indigenous bamboo drum. It is the emerging festival of the province and the region.
CHRISTMAS FOOD STREET FESTIVAL
Cebu City | December 22
Spearheaded by the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC). For this year, the event 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)
Kawit, Cavite | December 24
A well-loved Caviteno tradition, the Maytinis is a dramatic retelling of St. Joseph’s and Virrgin 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.
Contact : Office of the Mayor
Kawit, Cavite
Telephone No. (046) 574-0045 / 484-7507
KANYON-KANYON FESTIVAL (PATUNOG-TUNOG KANYON SA NEW YEAR)
Bgy. Cabugao Norte, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo | December 25- December 31
A revival of an old tradition. This is the residents’ own way of celebrating the New Year by making loud sounds through bamboo “kanyons”.
PASIDUNGOG
San Miguel, Iloilo | December 25-31
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.
PUTO FESTIVAL
Calasiao, Pangasinan | December 26-28
Celebration of the town’s major produce, rice cake (puto).
PAWIL DAGUPAN
Dagupan City | December 28-31
Part of City Fiesta celebration honoring Dagupeños living abroad to celebrate Christmas season with their relatives and friens thru colorful parade and dances.
KALIUGYON FESTIVAL
Libacao, Aklan | December 28- January 1
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 FESTIVAL
Ibajay, Aklan | December 28
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 FESTIVAL (DRUM & BAMBOO)
Maasin, Iloilo | December 29
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 FESTIVAL
Plaridel, Bulacan | December 29-30
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
Dapitan City | December 30
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
Silay City Plaza | December 30
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.
MARIKINA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: YEAR END CONCERT WITH FIREWORKS DISPLAY
River Bank and Amphitheater, Marikina | December 30
One of the major events included in this year’s Marikina Christmas Festival.
PAKALOG SA PASIG
Pasig City | December 31
People contribute and lay out a feast on the main street of the barangay and everybody partakes of it.
KALUSKOS BAMBOO ARCH FESTIVAL
Cardona, Rizal | December ( month long)
Kaluskos Bamboo Arch is a very significant folk art produced by Cardona’s local artisans. This kind of folk art is traditionally used in different celebrations which include the town fiesta, yuletide season, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays among other significant events in the locality. The arch is made of bamboo, decorated and crafted by hand. Preparation of the materials for the arch produces squeaky sounds like the kissing of the snakes, cockling of chickens and marching horses, thus its name “Kaluskos”. As part of Cardona’s culture and preservation of artistry, the town’s local executive passed a resolution creating the Kaluskos Bamboo Arch Festival.
Contact : Office of the Mayor
Cardona, Rizal
Telephone No. (02) 401-8374 / 652-1598