Experience These Famous Festivals in the Philippines this 2023

Experience the richness of Filipino culture!
famous festivals in the philippines

Itching to travel and explore the Philippines while immersing yourself in the rich Filipino culture? Make 2023 your best year yet by experiencing famous festivals in the Philippines! From breathtaking costumes to delicious food, festivals in the Philippines never fall short of becoming life-changing experiences that you’ll end up looking forward to every year! If you’re not well-versed in the famous festivals, worry not because you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover five famous festivals in the Philippines that you need to experience at least once in your life! To make your experience even more seamless, we’ve listed down hotels that you can book too on Shopee Hotels. 

*Hotel links are accessible only through the Shopee app on mobile devices

5 Famous Festivals in the Philippines This 2023

1. Sinulog

Celebrated on the third Sunday of January every year, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu is a religious and cultural festival in which people from all over the country go to Cebu to celebrate. Also known as the Santo Niño Festival, it celebrates the Santo Niño de Cebú – similar to the Ati Atihan Festival in Kalibo. Get ready to be in awe of the Grand Street Parade which is a prominent part of the celebration. You’ll get to witness stunning costumes and the Sinulog dance. From the Cebuano word “sulog” meaning “like water current movement”, the Sinulog dance is characterized by steps that mimic the movements of the river. Aside from this, you can also experience fun street parties, mouthwatering food, and spectacular fireworks displays to cap off the celebration. 

Top 3 recommended hotels in Cebu:

1. Mandarin Plaza Hotel

mandarin plaza hotel cebu

Credit: Mandarin Plaza Hotel

  • Location: Archbishop Reyes Corner Escario Street, Cebu
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Mabolo Royal Hotel

mabolo royal hotel cebu

Credit: Mabolo Royal Hotel 

  • Location: 17B M.J. Cuenco Ave. – C. Mina. Street., Barangay Mabolo, Cebu
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. Alicia Residences

alicia apartelle cebu

Credit: Alicia Residences

  • Location: Gov. Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Panagbenga

Headed up north? Make your trip to Baguio even more memorable and exciting by witnessing the stunning Panagbenga! Panagbanga is a flower festival in Baguio that’s celebrated every February. Be in awe of Baguio and the Cordilleras’ rich culture and history through this festival, a Kankananey term that translates to “season of blooming”. The focal event of this month-long festival is the Panagbenga Grand Opening Day Parade which will happen on February 1, 2023! 

Top 3 recommended hotels in Baguio:

1. Villa Silvina Hotel and Restaurant

villa silvina hotel and restaurant baguio

Credit: Villa Silvina Hotel and Restaurant

  • Location: 15 Outlook Drive, Benguet, Baguio
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Baguio Holiday Villas

baguio holiday villa

Credit: Baguio Holiday Villas

  • Location: No. 10 Legarda Road, Benguet, Baguio
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. Paladin Hotel

paladin hotel baguio

Credit: Paladin Hotel

  • Location: 136 Abanao Extension, Corner Carino Street, Benguet, Baguio
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. Moriones

If you’ve ever heard of the story of Longinus, you can see it in action during the Moriones Festival which is held in Marinduque during the Holy Week. Men and women dress up in costumes and helmets as biblical Imperial Roman soldiers. The story of Longinus is an inspiring one with his conversion to Christianity after experiencing the miraculous return of his vision in his blind eye after blood enters it from spearing Jesus’ side. Experience the reenactment during this famous festival in the Philippines this 2023!  

Top 3 recommended hotels in Marinduque:

1. Balar Hotel and Spa

balar hotel and spa marinduque

Credit: Balar Hotel and Spa

  • Location: Balaring, Marinduque
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Hotel Zenturia

hotel zenturia marinduque

Credit: Hotel Zenturia

  • Location: Barangay Isok 1, Marinduque
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. Luxor Resort and Restaurant

luxor marinduque

Credit: Luxor Resort and Restaurant

  • Location: Marinduque Circumferential Road, Pangi, Marinduque
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

4. Sandugo

A festival that celebrates the 16th-century Treaty of Friendship between a chieftain in Bohol named Datu Sikatuna and a Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi – Sandugo is a celebration that is deeply rooted in history. Sandugo, meaning “one blood”, is held every July with street dancing, shows, food fairs, concerts, and other activities to commemorate the celebration. So make your way over to Bohol this July and experience the history and excitement of the Sandugo Festival. 

Top 3 recommended hotels in Bohol:

1. Ocean Suites Bohol Boutique Hotel

ocean suites bohol

Credit: Ocean Suites Bohol Boutique Hotel

  • Location: Blood Compact Monument, East Tagbilaran Road, Brgy. Bool, Bohol
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Bohol Ecotel

bohol ecotel

Credit: Bohol Ecotel

  • Location: 064-A A. Hontanosas Street Extension, Bohol
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. Belian Hotel

belian hotel bohol

Credit: Belian Hotel

  • Location: Graham Avenue, Bohol
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

5. MassKara

Dreaming of experiencing a festival like the Rio Carnival in Brazil? Look no further and head to Bacolod in October to celebrate the MassKara Festival. The festival is celebrated with a parade of people wearing smiling face masks which is why Bacolod City is known as The City of Smiles. You can watch their thrilling dance competitions and enjoyable street parties called Masskaraland. 

Top 3 recommended hotels in Bacolod:

1. Seda Capitol Central Business and Staycation Hotel

seda capitol central bacolod

Credit: Seda Capitol Central Business and Staycation Hotel

  • Location: Lacson St. Corner, North Capitol Road, Negros Occidental, Bacolod
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

2. Avenue Suites

avenue suites hotel bacolod

Credit: Avenue Suites

  • Location: Corner 12th Lacson Street, Negros Occidental, Bacolod
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

3. L’Fisher Hotel

l fisher hotel bacolod

Credit: L’Fisher Hotel

  • Location: 14th Lacson Street, Negros Occidental, Bacolod
  • Features: free cancellation, breakfast included

Don’t Miss Out on These Famous Festivals in the Philippines This 2023

Join in on the excitement and make your plans so you can head on over to these famous festivals in the Philippines! Book your hotel through Shopee Hotels and enjoy exciting deals and discounts. Wherever you’re headed, whether locally or internationally, you can find a wide array of hotels to choose from on Shopee Hotels.

Kickstart your revenge travel and check out these local destinations so you can experience the beauty of the Philippines! Or visit these international destinations that Filipino tourists love. Make sure to shop from the best luggage brands in the market so that you have a travel companion that you can depend on. 

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