The Philippines is a party waiting to happen! This vibrant island nation is famous for its friendly people, stunning scenery, and incredible festivals. Throughout the year, every corner of the Philippines explodes with colour, music, and celebration.

Whether you're into thanking patron saints for a good harvest, reenacting historical events with wild costumes, or just dancing the night away, there are some festivals in The Philippines worth witnessing.

If you’re looking for an awesome Philippines cultural celebration, check out these seven celebrations that will leave you speechless!

Cebu City throws an epic party every January called Sinulog! It's all about celebrating the Santo Niño with this crazy-cool dance that mixes old pagan vibes with big Christian energy. It's a perfect way to see the Philippines' culture come alive in a fun, colourful way.

There's a solemn procession, a fluvial parade along Mactan Channel, and then bam! The Sinulog Grand Parade hits with everyone decked out in these crazy, elaborate costumes. It’s like a massive street party meets cultural extravaganza, with concerts, shows, and all kinds of competitions going down.

How to get there?

By plane: Browse through Traveloka to find the best deal for you and fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport, then hop in a taxi or grab a ride-share to Cebu City.

Craving an energetic Philippine adventure? You should experience the Ati-Atihan Festival. What is this festival about? Basically, this festival is a feast to honour Santo Niño. Held annually in Kalibo, Aklan, the vibrant festival takes place over a week during the third week of January.

The festivities start with a religious procession featuring rosary prayers, culminating in a grand mass. The heart of the week explodes with a lively parade, where all 17 towns of Aklan come together to showcase their unique cultural heritage through dance, music, and artistry. Some fascinating things that add to the nightly merriment are performances by local artists and brands.

How to get there?

By plane: Book the flight at Traveloka for the cheapest deals, fly into Kalibo International Airport, and snag a super cheap ride on a tricycle or jeepney straight to the party central in town.

If you are looking for a festival with a lot of harvest and is related to agriculture, then The Pahiyas festival is the answer!! Each year on May 15th, Lucban in Quezon throws a huge party called the Pahiyas Festival! It's about thanking Saint Isidore the Labourer, a superhero for farmers who keeps the harvest awesome.

The whole town gets into it by decorating their houses with amazing, cool stuff – we're talking fruits, veggies, handicrafts, and even rice wafers! It's like a giant art project with food! After the festival, everyone shares the decorations, so it's a super friendly vibe.

The Pahiyas Festival started out as a simple way to say thanks for a good harvest, but now it's a massive celebration of everything farming-related in Lucban.

How to get there?

By land transportation: To get from Manila to Lucban, the easiest choice is by car. It takes around 4 hours to drive, and you get more flexibility to get around in Lucban as well.

Every February, Baguio City explodes with colour for the Panagbenga Festival. It's a giant party with stunning floats made entirely of flowers, energetic street dancing, and beautiful gardens with markets to explore. Aside from the colourful celebration, it is actually a tribute to the devastating moment of the Luzon earthquake back in 1990.

How to get there?

By land transportation: You've got some nice choices! There's a direct bus to Baguio that operates once an hour from Manila. If you want more flexibility, then driving by yourself to Baguio is a breeze as well. It only takes around 3 hours to reach it from Manila. Want to relax on your way there? You can hail a taxi.

Ever heard of Davao City? They have this fantastic festival in August called Kadayawan, and it's not to be missed! This colourful parade features giant flower floats, crazy-cool street dance competitions, and mind-blowing shows celebrating the city's Indigenous roots. That's the Filipino culture experience you're about to see!!

This festival is a tribute to the rich harvest coming from nature. It reminds us that nature gives us a lot.

How to get there?

By plane: Snag a deal with Traveloka for the flight into Davao's Francisco Bangoy International Airport. From there, you can catch a taxi to reach the city centre. Davao will welcome you with open arms!

Bacolod City throws a giant party called the MassKara Festival. The festival itself means “many faces”. Get ready for epic street dances with everyone rocking giant, colourful smiles on their faces! It's a celebration of the city's strong spirit and love of fun.

Despite having smiley mask festivals, they are actually celebrations of some tragic moments, such as the crisis when the sugar price was the lowest and a ferry accident in 1980.

How to get there?

By plane: the easiest way is to fly into the Bacolod-Silay International Airport and grab a taxi or shuttle straight to the party central. Consider booking at Traveloka to get the best flight ticket fare.

The Dinagyang Festival (Fourth Sunday of January)

Start your new-year holiday by spending time in Iloilo because there is a fantastic festival known as The Dinagyang Festival. It's famous for its wild street parades and dances. This Philippines cultural experience also features special parades honouring a beloved local icon, the Santo Niño. This adds another layer to the incredible cultural experience!

How to get there?

By plane: You can easily catch a flight to Iloilo International Airport. If you're an international tourist, the flight will have a transit in Manila. Wishing to get the cheapest flight ticket? Stay tuned at Traveloka!!

Have you ever heard the story of a Roman soldier who was blind in one eye and then restored his sight by the blood of Jesus? This festival depicts that story. The festival itself is an event filled with vibrant costumes and masks reminiscent of Roman soldiers. It is also celebrated during the holy week and is located on Marinduque Island.

How to get there?

These celebrations unlock a treasure trove of the Philippines' vibrant culture, rich culture, and welcoming spirit. Every festival in the Philippines provides distinctive activities, costumes, foods, and travel experiences, ensuring your visit is unforgettable. What are you waiting for? Book your Sydney to Manila flight with Traveloka now!