HomeIloiloIloilo CityDinagyang FestivalThis is Iloilo's biggest festival, and one of the most popular religious and cultural celebrations in the Philippines. Join the merry-making with Ilonggos and dance to the hypnotic beat of the drums. Hala Bira Iloilo!One of the best times to visit Iloilo is during the annual Dinagyang Festival, which is celebrated every January.The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is a showcase of the rich heritage, colorful history, passionate devotion, and fun-loving spirit of the Ilonggo people. The festival traces its roots as a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Senyor Santo Niño, the child Jesus. Today, it has grown to be one of the Philippines’ most spectacular religious and cultural festivals.Scroll down for information about the Dinagyang Festival including the schedule of activities, major events, parade route and extra tips that can help you enjoy the most of the festivities. Dinagyang Schedule The Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th weekend of January. In 2020, the highlights are scheduled for January 24 to 26, 2019. The festival’s major events include the fluvial procession, religious sadsad, and the Ati tribes’ dance competition. In addition, there are many exciting activities happening all throughout the month of January.2020 ScheduleOpening Salvo — January 10, 2020 Iloilo Dinagyang Arts Festival — January 18 to 25 Ilonggo Food Festival — January 23 to 26 Miss Iloilo 2020 (previously Miss Dinagyang) — January 23 (7 pm) Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika — January 24 (8 am) Fluvial and Solemn Foot Procession — January 24 (2 pm) Floats Parade of Lights — January 24 (6 pm) Fireworks Display — January 24 (7 pm) Dagyang sa Calle Real — January 25 (8 am) Festive Parade Sponsors Mardi Gras — January 25 (2 pm) Religious Sadsad — January 25 (7 pm) Dinagyang 360 Degrees — January 26 (8 am) Awarding Ceremony — January 26 (7 pm)Dinagyang HighlightsDinagyang Tribes’ CompetitionHeld on a Sunday, this is the most awaited event of the Dinagyang Festival. Competing tribes, which include the warrior-dancers are all smeared with dark brown body-paint, dance to the fast-paced beat of the drums and other live instruments & battle it out to become the festival chamption.This 2020, the stakes have been raised with the winners receiving the highest prize money in the Dinagyang’s history.Formerly known as the “ati-ati competition, the tribes’ competition is now called the “Dinagyang 360°” competition. It will be presented arena-type, so the audience can enjoy the performances from every angle. Dagyang sa Calle RealIn previous years, the Kasadyahan competition was held on the Saturday of the Dinagyang weekend. Starting 2020, a new event, the Dagyang sa Calle Real will replace the Kasadyahan, which is planned to be held as a separate festival sometime later this year.The Dagyang sa Calle Real is a religious street dancing activity or “sadsad”. Everyone is welcome to join! This activity aims to make the festival more of a participatory event rather than a spectator event.Fluvial ProcessionHeld on a Friday, the religious fluvial and solemn foot procession is one of the oldest traditions of the Dinagyang Festival. During this event, images of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) is carried on boats that sail along the Iloilo River, from Fort San Pedro to Muelle Loney street. The journey continues on land with the solemn foot procession passing by the Provincial Capitol before proceeding to the San Jose Parish Church.Street Dance Parade RouteThe parade route of the Dinagyang Festival passes through the main streets of the Iloilo City Proper or downtown area. Certain sections of the parade route are designated as performance stages where spectators can watch the choreographed street dance of competing tribes.Dinagyang Festival Parade Route. Photo from Dinagyang Festival 2020 on Facebook.The four performance stages are: 1. Freedom Grandstand 2. Iznart-Solis 3. Valeria-Ledesma 4. Central MarketDinagyang TicketsAccess to the performance stages are limited to visitors with tickets purchased from the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.For inquires, you can message the Dinagyang Festival 2020 on Facebook.Outside the stages, everyone can enjoy the colorful costumes, thundering drum beats, and energetic dances of the performers. The tribes perform street dance routines along the entire parade route. Vehicles are prohibited to enter the parade route and nearby streets. Walking is the prime mode of transportation within Iloilo City Proper during the festivities.Festival Photos What’s Next After the Dinagyang?Living up to Iloilo’s title as the festival capital of the Philippines, the fun and merrymaking in Iloilo does not stop with the Dinagyang Festival. The festivities continue during the Jaro District Fiesta (Fiesta de Nuestra Seniora de la Candelaria), Chinese New Year, and the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Comments bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:57 pmAwards and Citations Achievements of Dinagyang FestivalGaling Pook Awards as an Outstanding Program of a Local Government Unit FinalistPlaque of RecognitionAwarded by President Benigno Aquino III on January 30, 2012SILVER AWARD – International Awards for Livable Communities2011 LivCom Awards in SongpaAwarded in Songpa, Seoul, South Korea on October 31, 2011GRAND CHAMPION – Aliwan Fiesta 2012, 2011, 2010, 2004In the Hall of Fame for three (3) consecutive championshipsManila Broadcasting CompanyStreet Dance CompetitionAwarded in Pasay CityHALL OF FAME: BEST TOURISM EVENTAssociation of Tourism Officers of the PhilippinesBest Practice Awards 2009Awarded in General Santos City during its National Convention on October 2009BEST TOURISM EVENT – Association of Tourism Officers of the PhilippinesBest Practice Awards 2008, 2007, 2006BEST PRACTICEAsian Development Bank – For public-private partnership, 2008 United Nations Development Programme Localization of the Millennium Development Goals in Nepal, 2007 Institute for Solidarity in Asia – Good Governance through Responsible Citizenry and Public – Private Cooperation As Iloilo’s Representative to the Aliwan Fiesta Street Dance CompetitionFIRST RUNNER-UP: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003SECOND RUNNER-UP: 2005As Philippine Representative to:World Folklore Festival in Portugal – 1998World Expo in Portugal – 1998Chinggay Festival & Parade in Singapore – 1999 & 2000Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Annual Parade 2007 – State of Minnesota, USABest Parade Crown Pleaser36th Texas Folklife Festival 2007 State of Texas, USASt. Patrick’s Day Annual Parade in Ireland – 2009International Dance Congress in Manila – 2009Opening PerformancePhilippine Independence Day Celebration ParadeNew York, USA – 2010 & 2011 South African Embassy – Manila Events2012 Asian Development Bank Board of Governors’ Meeting 2012 Guam Liberation Day Paradehttp://dinagyang.ph/about-dinagyang/awards-citations/ bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:47 pmThe Musicality, Choreography and Costume of Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and DinagyangHala Bira To Life and Faith! Celebrating Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival 2010 bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 9:37 pmNigerian Becomes Miss Dinagyang 2013 In PhillipinesA Nigerian student in far way Philippines recently won a beauty pageant. The second-year college student from Central Philippine University, (CPU) made history by becoming the first Dinagyang with an African heritage.http://leadership.ng/photo_1343143016165-1-0 bamboo saysFebruary 7, 2013 at 7:43 amMANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will host the very first International Gongs and Bamboo Music Festival in Dipolog City from February 16 to 22, and Maasin, Iloilo from February 22-26. Dubbed as “Tunogtugan Festival,” the seven-day celebration will gather some of the finest gongs and bamboo ensembles and scholars from the Philippines and different parts of Asia.http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/88535/ph-hosts-1st-international-gongs-bamboo-music-fest-in-dipolog-iloilo bong saysFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:14 pmIloilo, with a population of more than 450,000, was the “textile capital of the Philippines” in the 18th century but now the city serves more as an administrative center, the writer noted.“We found it to be beautiful and hospitable, with culture and heritage galore, particularly as we embarked on ‘church hopping.’ We then came up with the idea for ‘restaurant’, ‘bar’ and ‘heritage’ hopping excursions – and we invite you to follow us on our trail,” Fleming stressed.He was charmed by the churches saying “it’s about the Godly way that some of them in and around Iloilo have been constructed. The architecture is magnificent. Set against a brilliant blue sky, when the sun hits the church’s façade, it’s like there really is something otherworldly going on.”“Church hopping is already an established activity in Iloilo. There are countless homes to God here, each with their own charm. We recommend starting at the daddy of them all, Jaro Cathedral before moving out to Molo Church. Church hopping takes a full day but we’d recommend it as time heavenly spent,” Fleming suggested.“Iloilo is proud of its nosh. From the traditional noodles ‘n’ soup, La Paz Batchoy is best in town to Japanese and Italian, there are plenty of quality restaurants to enjoy as complements to some of the awesome street food available, Fleming further praised in his article.“We suggest tapping up restaurants and its divine seafood menu featuring delicious sinigang stew and perfect fish dishes where everything seems to cost half of what it does in HK,” Fleming said of Ilonggos’ gastronomic treat.“So, it’s worth getting hopping mad in Iloilo and its surrounding area. Remember: it’s friendly, beautiful and so cheap you forget you’re paying anything at all. You won’t want to leave. That’s probably the biggest problem…,” quipped Fleming.http://www.philstar.com/lifestyle-features/2013/02/05/905159/iloilo-city-charms-hk-mag-editor bong saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:59 pmPedro Calungsod’s story lives on in IloiloA “Calungsod boy went from Iloilo to Mactan Island in Cebu, joined the Jesuit missionaries who left for some island in the Pacific, and was killed with the Fathers,” Arevalo’s account goes.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/292806/pedro-calungsods-story-lives-on-in-iloilo bong saysJanuary 24, 2013 at 8:31 amMiss Dinagyang 2013, EMILY VICTORIA OKE!http://missosology.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=54749This is EMILY VICTORIA OKE, the newly crowned Miss Central Philippine University, and a native of Iloilo City. She is just 16 years old and she is a professional ramp and print model in our city. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is Filipino. During the pageant, she won several special awards, including the best interview.She is now my bet for BB. PILIPINAS 2012 or 2013. Steve A. saysJanuary 20, 2013 at 9:45 amGreat article as always! Viva Senor Santo Nino!! Mabuhay Iloilo!! bong saysJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:04 amEdwin Duero observes, though, that the new city mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog, is better than his predecessors in organizing Dinagyng. .. bong saysJanuary 14, 2013 at 7:25 pmMegaworld’s P25B Iloilo business park to be ready by 2015http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/14/13/megaworlds-p25b-iloilo-business-park-be-ready-2015
bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:57 pmAwards and Citations Achievements of Dinagyang FestivalGaling Pook Awards as an Outstanding Program of a Local Government Unit FinalistPlaque of RecognitionAwarded by President Benigno Aquino III on January 30, 2012SILVER AWARD – International Awards for Livable Communities2011 LivCom Awards in SongpaAwarded in Songpa, Seoul, South Korea on October 31, 2011GRAND CHAMPION – Aliwan Fiesta 2012, 2011, 2010, 2004In the Hall of Fame for three (3) consecutive championshipsManila Broadcasting CompanyStreet Dance CompetitionAwarded in Pasay CityHALL OF FAME: BEST TOURISM EVENTAssociation of Tourism Officers of the PhilippinesBest Practice Awards 2009Awarded in General Santos City during its National Convention on October 2009BEST TOURISM EVENT – Association of Tourism Officers of the PhilippinesBest Practice Awards 2008, 2007, 2006BEST PRACTICEAsian Development Bank – For public-private partnership, 2008 United Nations Development Programme Localization of the Millennium Development Goals in Nepal, 2007 Institute for Solidarity in Asia – Good Governance through Responsible Citizenry and Public – Private Cooperation As Iloilo’s Representative to the Aliwan Fiesta Street Dance CompetitionFIRST RUNNER-UP: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003SECOND RUNNER-UP: 2005As Philippine Representative to:World Folklore Festival in Portugal – 1998World Expo in Portugal – 1998Chinggay Festival & Parade in Singapore – 1999 & 2000Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Annual Parade 2007 – State of Minnesota, USABest Parade Crown Pleaser36th Texas Folklife Festival 2007 State of Texas, USASt. Patrick’s Day Annual Parade in Ireland – 2009International Dance Congress in Manila – 2009Opening PerformancePhilippine Independence Day Celebration ParadeNew York, USA – 2010 & 2011 South African Embassy – Manila Events2012 Asian Development Bank Board of Governors’ Meeting 2012 Guam Liberation Day Paradehttp://dinagyang.ph/about-dinagyang/awards-citations/
bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:47 pmThe Musicality, Choreography and Costume of Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and DinagyangHala Bira To Life and Faith! Celebrating Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival 2010
bamboo saysFebruary 10, 2013 at 9:37 pmNigerian Becomes Miss Dinagyang 2013 In PhillipinesA Nigerian student in far way Philippines recently won a beauty pageant. The second-year college student from Central Philippine University, (CPU) made history by becoming the first Dinagyang with an African heritage.http://leadership.ng/photo_1343143016165-1-0
bamboo saysFebruary 7, 2013 at 7:43 amMANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will host the very first International Gongs and Bamboo Music Festival in Dipolog City from February 16 to 22, and Maasin, Iloilo from February 22-26. Dubbed as “Tunogtugan Festival,” the seven-day celebration will gather some of the finest gongs and bamboo ensembles and scholars from the Philippines and different parts of Asia.http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/88535/ph-hosts-1st-international-gongs-bamboo-music-fest-in-dipolog-iloilo
bong saysFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:14 pmIloilo, with a population of more than 450,000, was the “textile capital of the Philippines” in the 18th century but now the city serves more as an administrative center, the writer noted.“We found it to be beautiful and hospitable, with culture and heritage galore, particularly as we embarked on ‘church hopping.’ We then came up with the idea for ‘restaurant’, ‘bar’ and ‘heritage’ hopping excursions – and we invite you to follow us on our trail,” Fleming stressed.He was charmed by the churches saying “it’s about the Godly way that some of them in and around Iloilo have been constructed. The architecture is magnificent. Set against a brilliant blue sky, when the sun hits the church’s façade, it’s like there really is something otherworldly going on.”“Church hopping is already an established activity in Iloilo. There are countless homes to God here, each with their own charm. We recommend starting at the daddy of them all, Jaro Cathedral before moving out to Molo Church. Church hopping takes a full day but we’d recommend it as time heavenly spent,” Fleming suggested.“Iloilo is proud of its nosh. From the traditional noodles ‘n’ soup, La Paz Batchoy is best in town to Japanese and Italian, there are plenty of quality restaurants to enjoy as complements to some of the awesome street food available, Fleming further praised in his article.“We suggest tapping up restaurants and its divine seafood menu featuring delicious sinigang stew and perfect fish dishes where everything seems to cost half of what it does in HK,” Fleming said of Ilonggos’ gastronomic treat.“So, it’s worth getting hopping mad in Iloilo and its surrounding area. Remember: it’s friendly, beautiful and so cheap you forget you’re paying anything at all. You won’t want to leave. That’s probably the biggest problem…,” quipped Fleming.http://www.philstar.com/lifestyle-features/2013/02/05/905159/iloilo-city-charms-hk-mag-editor
bong saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:59 pmPedro Calungsod’s story lives on in IloiloA “Calungsod boy went from Iloilo to Mactan Island in Cebu, joined the Jesuit missionaries who left for some island in the Pacific, and was killed with the Fathers,” Arevalo’s account goes.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/292806/pedro-calungsods-story-lives-on-in-iloilo
bong saysJanuary 24, 2013 at 8:31 amMiss Dinagyang 2013, EMILY VICTORIA OKE!http://missosology.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=54749This is EMILY VICTORIA OKE, the newly crowned Miss Central Philippine University, and a native of Iloilo City. She is just 16 years old and she is a professional ramp and print model in our city. Her father is Nigerian and her mother is Filipino. During the pageant, she won several special awards, including the best interview.She is now my bet for BB. PILIPINAS 2012 or 2013.
Steve A. saysJanuary 20, 2013 at 9:45 amGreat article as always! Viva Senor Santo Nino!! Mabuhay Iloilo!!
bong saysJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:04 amEdwin Duero observes, though, that the new city mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog, is better than his predecessors in organizing Dinagyng. ..
bong saysJanuary 14, 2013 at 7:25 pmMegaworld’s P25B Iloilo business park to be ready by 2015http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/14/13/megaworlds-p25b-iloilo-business-park-be-ready-2015