Iloilo is a province of festivals, widely known in the Philippines and internationally for the Dinagyang Festival. Ilonggos are fond of hosting festivals and fiestas. In testimony if this is that fact that nearly all places in Iloilo hold a big town-wide celebration every year. It could be in the form of a cultural festival, a religious fiesta that honors a patron saint, or the town or city’s founding day.

To join and revel in the year-long festive season, here’s a compilation of major festivals and events in Iloilo:

January

Binanog Festival (Lambunao; 2nd week of January) — Culminates on the second Sunday every January with a cultural presentation that highlights the Binanog Dance, a courtship ritual dance that imitates the movements of the ‘banog’ bird (hawk).

Arevalo Fiesta (Arevalo, Iloilo City; 3rd week of January) — Celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño. One its main highlights is a fireworks display contest held on Sunday evening.

Pasungay Festival & Pahibag Festival (San Joaquin; 3rd week of January)

Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City; 4th week of January) — Iloilo’s biggest religious and cultural festival. It is held in honor of Senyor Santo Niño (the child Jesus) and to commemorate the arrival of Malay settlers in Panay.

Saug Festival (Lemery; Every January 26–28)

Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival (Calinog; Last Sunday of January)

Chinese New Year (Iloilo City; January or February) — One of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations in the Philippines.

February

Candelaria Fiesta (Jaro, Iloilo City; Every February 2)

Salakayan Festival (Miag-ao; 1st week of February)

Paraw Regatta Festival (Iloilo City; 3rd week of February) — Culminates on Sunday with a race among seafarers on colorful sailboats called Paraws in the straits between Guimaras Island and the city of Iloilo.

March

Pintados de Pasi Festival (Passi City; 2nd week of March)

Bantayan Festival (Guimbal; Last week of March)

April

Saad Festival (Leganes; 1st week of April)

Semana sang Iloilo (Iloilo Provincial Grounds, Iloilo City; 2nd week of April)

Lanot Festival (Janiuay)

Paghukom Festival (Calinog; Good Friday)

Taltal Festival (Barotac Viejo; Good Friday)

Tampisaw Festival (Concepcion; 4th week of April)

May

Heritage Month Celebration (Iloilo City)

Santacruzan & Flores de Mayo (Various places throughout Iloilo City and Iloilo Province)

Tubong-Tubong Festival (Tubungan; Every May 1)

Carabao Carroza Festival (Pavia; 1st week of May)

Katagman Festival (Oton; 1st week of May)

Pahaw-as Festival (Dumangas; 1st week of May)

Tangyan Festival (Igbaras; 3rd week of May)

Fiesta in the City (SM City Iloilo; Last Week of May)

June

Football Festival (Barotac Nuevo; 1st to 2nd week of June)

Kasag Festival (Banate; 3rd week of June)

Sulay Basya Festival (Sara; 3rd week of June)

Pandayan Festival (Badiangan; Last week of June)

Baroto Sa Lutac Race (Barotac Viejo; Last week of June)

Biraw-Paraw Festival (Leganes; Last week of June)

September

Handuraw Festival (Leon; Every September 1)

Tinu-om Festival (Cabatuan; 1st week of September)

Tambobo Festival (Ajuy; Every September 8 to 10)

Tumandok Festival (Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Iloilo City; 3rd week of September)

Mountain Bike Festival (Alimodian; 3rd week of September)

Anihan Festival (Duenas; Last week of September)

October

Saludan Festival (Tigbauan; Last week of October)

Cry of Jelicuon (New Lucena; Last week of October)

Tigkaralag Festival (Pavia; Every October 30)

November

Banaag Festival (Anilao; Every November 1)

Kawayan Market Week (Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Iloilo City; 2nd week of November)

Hablon Moda (Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Iloilo City; 2nd week of November)

Kahilwayan Festival (Santa Barbara; Every November 17)

December

Festival of Lights (Janiuay; December 1 to 31)

Kalamay Festival (San Enrique; 1st week of December)

IWAG Christmas Lights (Pototan; 3rd week of December)

Pantat Festival (Zarraga; 3rd week of December)

Pasidungog kay Senor San Miguel (San Miguel; 4th week of December)

Tultugan Festival (Maasin; 4th week of December)

More Events

Sinadya sang mga Banwa (Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds, Iloilo City; 3rd weekend of January)