Festivals and Events in the Philippines january · January in Festivals and Events in the Philippines
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January in Festivals and Events in the Philippines
January in Festivals and Events in the Philippines
January is usually when most festivals in honor of Sto. Nino (Infant Jesus) usually occur as well as festivals commemorating the end of the Christmas in the Philippines.
Bulaklakan Festival
Where:(Muntinlupa City),
When: January 1
What: Bulaklaka(n) literally means flower in Tagalog. Parade of flowers and costumes are held.
Feast of Three Kings
Where:Gasan, Marinduque
When: First Sunday of January of the Year
What: The Feast of Three Kings or Epiphany, known as Araw ng tatlong hari in Tagalog, is a festival celebrated during the first Sunday of January, the Epiphany which commemorates the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the gentiles by the magi; Melchor who brought Gold, Gaspar who brought Frankincense, and Balthazar who brought myrrh as a gift to the infant Jesus. A folk play is en-acted in Gasan, Marinduque based on the story of the Epiphany. The festival also commemorates the end of Christmas in the Philippines.
Ati-Atihan Festival
Where:Kalibo, Aklan
When: Third Week of January
What: In honor of the Sto. Nino or the Infant Jesus, this festival is celebrated. It was first celebrated as a pagan festival in honor of Anitos or Pagan gods of the native people before the Spanish arrived. Today it is celebrated in honor of the Sto. Nino. People cover their bodies or faces with soots to look like Atis or Aetas (native people) and dance streetdances with a holy image of the Sto. Nino. Masses, Novenas and Rosary processions are done also.
Bailes De Luces
Where:La Castellana, Negros Occidental
When: January 5
What: Bailes De Luces or Dances of lights in Spanish. Luces or Light in Spanish symbolizes hope. The festival highlights the use of lights in festival presentations. Street dances are done to commemorate the festival, it is celebrated in thanking the past year's blessings and success as well as a hope for a better new year.
Feast of the Black Nazarene
Where:Quiapo, Manila
When: January 9
What: The festival is a day long feast, celebrated through a procession of the Black Nazarene in the streets of Metro Manila. The Black Nazarene is a wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene, it is called Black Nazarene because of the statue's color which is black, the statue is over 400 years old and is stored in the Basilica of Black Nazarene or popularly known as Quiapo Church. Devotees flock to streets barefooted and push against each other to get to the statue in belief it would give blessings and miracles.
Lingayen Gulf Festival
Where:Lingayen, Pangasinan
When: January 9
What: Festival commemorating the liberation of Lingayen from the Japanese invasion by Gen. Douglas McCarthur of US Pacific command on January 9, 1945.
Araw ng Koronadal(Day of Koronadal)/Hinugyaw Festival
Where:Koronadal
When: January 10
What: A feast celebrating the diverse cultures of Koronadal for decades.
Binanog Festival
Where:Lambunao, Iloilo
When: January 10-16
What: Binanog Festival is celebrated in honor of the Infant Jesus, ethnic dances are done in the beat of drums to commemorate this feast.
Coconut Festival and fair
Where:San Pablo, Laguna
When: January 10-13
What: A grande Mardi-gras that San Pablo commemorates in honor of their crop; coconuts.
Sinulog Festival(Kabankalan)
Where:Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
When: January 10-16
What: The Sinulog of Kabankalan is known to be lively and colorful, peple dress in colorful costumes and dance in streets in honor of Senor Sto. Nino.
Makato Sto. Nino Festival
Where: Makato, Aklan
When: January 15
What: The celebration dates back to the pre-Spanish times, celebrated in honor and for giving thanks to the Sto. Nino. It is similar to Kalibo's Ati-atihan festival.
Pasungay Festival
Where: San Joaquin, Iloilo
When: Third Saturday of January
What: Traditions date back in olden times when people witnessed two bulls fighting, it then became an attraction and an entertainment. Catch "Bull Derby", when the where the best bulls of the barangays compete against each other. Pasungay comes from the Hiligaynon word Sungay meaning horn, indicating the horns of the bulls.
Kahimunan Festival
Where: Libertad, Butuan City
When: January 16
What: See Butuan's local version of Cebu's Sinulog Festival. Just like Sinulog, spectacular and lively dances are held.
Pangisdaan Festival
Where: Barangay Tangos, Navotas
When: January 16
What: The People of Brgy. Tangos, celebrates this feast in honor of their fishing industry. Street dancing and float competitions are the main attractions of this festival. "Pangisidaan" literally means "Fishery" in Tagalog.
Kinaradto Festival
Where: Buenavista, Guimaras
When: January 16
What: Celebrate the rich culture of the oldest municipality of the province of Guimaras, the whole celebration is celebrated by songs, dances and musicals showcasing the cultures Buenavista has been influenced. The celebration is also celebrated in honor of the Sto. Nino. "Kinaradto" literally mean Going to.
Batan Ati-Ati Malakara Festival
Where: Batan, Aklan
When: January 16
What: Join in the thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and a good new year as well as honoring the Sto. Nino in Batan. Paper Mache prepared costumes are worn by participants and street dances are performed, before the festival commences a Holy Mass is held.
Fireworks display and contest
Where: Arevalo, Iloilo City
When: January 16
What: Don't miss this festival when in Iloilo, the skies of the district of Arevalo light up with sparkling and spectacular fireworks.
Caracol Festival
Where: Makati City, Metro Manila
When: January 16
What: Caracol Festival displays the campaign for protecting and conserving our ecology, if you're an advocate for the environment don't miss this.
Bansudani Festival/Feast of the Divine Savior
Where: Bansud, Mindoro Oriental
When: January 17
What: A thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, the festival features dances and cultural presentations.
Sad-Sad sa Kalye
Where: Janiuay, Iloilo City
When: January 19
What: "Sad-Sad sa Kalye" showcases the beliefs, dreams, views of the people of Janiuay based on their cultural heritage, historical experiences and traditions. "Sad-Sad" is a native word for Dance, while "Kalya"(Calle) is a Spanish word for Street, just as its title says; the festival is celebrated through street-dancing.
Sinulog Festival
Where: Cebu City
When: 3rd Sunday of January
What: One of the most important, biggest and popular festivals of the Philippines, it is celebrated in honor of Sto. Nino Senor. Processions of Sto. Ninos take place and dances are done along with constant beating of the drums.
Pandot sa Bacolod
Where: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
When: January 20
What: The Bacoleños (people of Bacolod) celebrate this festival through dramatizing the life of a Catholic during the Spanish colonial times.
Binuligay Festival
Where: Jamindan, Capiz
When: January 20
What: Join in the cultural presentation of Capiz and go experience fiesta with their people. "Binuligay" literally means Helping each other.
Atlavas Sto. Nino Festival
Where: Atlavas, Aklan
When: January 21-22
What: This festival celebrates not only in the honor of the Sto. Nino but also the mark of the day when the Filipino-American war ended in Atlavas. It is also celebrated as an annual Thanksgiving festival.
Dinagyang Festival
Where: Iloilo City
When: January 22-24
What: A spectacular festival in honor of the Sto. Nino, also one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines, streets are filled up with people as dancers dance and as music plays and as colors and sound of the festival brighten up the atmosphere.
Boracay International Fun Board Cup
Where: Boracay, Malay, Aklan
When: January 22-27
What: The country's biggest windsurfing event, a must catch when staying in Boracay. Peopl from around the world flock and compete in this event.
Feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage
Where: La Carlota City
When: January 24
What: In honor of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, this festival is celebrated, processions, cultural presentations and traditional games are held.
Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipal and Devotional Festival
Where: Ibajay, Aklan
When: January 24-25
What: Celebrated in honor of the Sto. Nino, features the transferring of the holy image of the patron of Ibajay from Ibajay Cathedral to St. Peter Parish Church where it was discovered.
Dinagsa Ati-Atihan Festival
Where: Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
When: Janaury 24-30
What: Rituals are performed by the black soot "Ati" in honor of the Sto. Nino. Procession of the holy image on a boat is held where it is brought to the sea and then back.
Sana-Aw Festival
Where: Jordan, Guimaras
When: January 28
What: A festival in honor of artisans and enduring workers which is done through dramatization through dance-drama.
Hinirugyaw Festival
Where: Calinog, Iloilo
When: January 30-February 6
What: A 9-day celebration in honor of the Sto. Nino, games, a food fest and competitions are held during this festival.
Sto. Nino Festivak
Where: Malolos, Bulacan
When: January 30
What: Featuring week longs exhibits and procession of a hundred caros of drivers Sto. Nino images, this festival is in honor of the Sto. Nino.
Balot sa Puti Festival
Where: Pateros
When: January 31
What: A town fiesta.
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