Top 3 Festivals in the Philippines

#1 Ati- Atihan

#2 Sinulog Festival

#3Dinagyang Festival
# 1 Ati-Atihan Festival
3rd weekend of January | Kalibo, Aklan
This Sto. Nio festival started it all. One
of the oldest religious celebrations in
the country, Ati-Atihan is characterized
by a parade filled with face-painted
celebrants, indigenous costumes and
weapons, tribal dances, and loud
drumbeats.
Tourists who flock to Kalibo for the
festivities are free to cover themselves in
black soot and dance on the streets with
the drum beats. Known as the The
Filipino Mardi Gras, it is truly an
experience not to be missed.
Philippine Festival: Ati-Atihan, Kalibo,
Aklan, Philippines
#2 Sinulog Festival
Cebu also has its own version of the festival in honor
of the Sto. Nio. If you find yourself attending the
Sinulog Festival, Pit Seor! is a phrase you will
hear a lot. It means Panangpit sa Seor, a Cebuano
phrase that means to plead to the Seor Santo Nio.
It is one of the most attended festivals in the
Philippines, attracting millions of locals and tourists
from all over the world. In 2013, it was reported
that the number of participants reached a
whopping four million.
Sinulog not only sets the stage for
Cebuano talents but also for other
regional acts as contingents from
neighboring provinces are showcased
through street dancing, pageantry, and
sports. It is also known for hosting the
countrys biggest raves, drawing a growing
number of party-goers from all over the
country year after year.
#3Dinagyang Festival
4th weekend of January | Iloilo City
If you happen to know someone from Iloilo, try and
ask them about this Philippine festival. Youll see how
their pride for their citys festival is nothing short of
astounding.
Once a year, Iloilo City transforms into one big street
party streets closed, bands in all corners,
overflowing food and drinks, and towering boom
boxes. To cap it all off, tribes representing different
barangays and high schools perform in one very
competitive street dancing contest.
Its no wonder how this citys once simple
celebration in honor of the child Jesus (Sto. Nio)
ended up bagging several awards including the
Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines
(ATOP) title holder for Best Tourism Event of the
Philippines.
According to Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena,
the winning tribes are now going international and
will be promoting Philippine tourism to countries
like the United States, Canada, and Singapore.