Luzon Festivals
Panagbenga
(Baguio, Benget, Northern Luzon)
Festival: Panagbenga
Festival Location: Baguio City, Benguet, Northern Luzon
Festivity Season: Every February (Month-long) and the first weekend of March (for the conclusion of the feast)
This festival was previously known as the Baguio Flower Festival. The first celebration of the feast was in the year 1996, February. Until today, the tradition continues post-pandemic. The festival is known for its parades - full of performers - and floats covered in majestic flowers natively grown. The floats range from traditional figures (houses, majestic garlands, animals, etc.) to modern figures (logos, animated characters, brands, etc.). These are displayed during the feast, especially during the Grand Float Parade. To add, the performers cover themselves with flowers, or dresses that resemble flowers and dance along the session road. It is a festival that is a reflection of the citizens in Baguio as it is full of colors and creativity.
Festival activities to look out for:
Markets
Grand Street Dance Parade
Grand Street Float Parade
Local Contests
For more information, check out their official website by clicking here.
Hot Air Balloon
(New Clark City, Tarlac City, Central Luzon)
Festival: Hot Air Balloon
Festival Location: Tarlac City, Central Luzon
Festivity Season: February
Are you interested in Aeronautics? Do you like heights? Or an admiration for objects in the sky? If these questions tick your bucket list, the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Clark City, Tarlac City (previously in Pampanga), is perfect as your next destination.
Albeit named the "Hot Air Balloon Festival," it is not just about your typical hot air balloons. Aeronautic technology and gadgets like aircraft, rocketeering, drones, kites, and many more are present in this feast. This feast is perfect for kids, tourists, locals, and enthusiasts. The festival is one of the feasts in the Philippines that has adapted to modernity. It was a festival held for the Kapampangans to alleviate their spirits after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. But now, aside from that, it is a festival to test aeronautic gadgets, participate in aviation-related activities, and become mesmerized by the flying objects.
Festival activities to look out for:
Market
Skydiving
Aerobatic Exhibitions
Hot Air Balloon Parades
Paragliding
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Previously, it was held in Clark, Pampanga, based on sources, it has been moved to New Clark City, Tarlac. For more information, click here.
Pahiyas
(Lucban, Quezon, Southern Luzon)
Festival: Pahiyas
Festival Location: Province of Quezon (Originated: Lucban)
Festivity Season: Every May (15th of May)
The largest and most vibrant harvest celebration in the Philippines, Pahiyas festival is held every year to celebrate San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Since Lucban is where Pahiyas originated appeared, most people travel there to celebrate, but celebrations can also be found in towns like Tayabas, Sariaya, Gumaca, and Tiaong throughout the province of Quezon. The celebration began as an early Thanksgiving observance in the fifteenth century. A plentiful harvest would be celebrated by farmers who would carry their crops to the base of Mount Banahaw. In homage of San Isidro, they eventually started donating their crops to the church. On May 15th, residents decorate their homes with an array of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other produce, frequently arranged in a decorative fashion. Longganisas, a Filipino sausage, and Kipings, a thin rice paper wafer made like a leaf, are both considered as decorative items during the celebration. Beyond the house decorations, however, the festival's main attraction is the 'Kalas' procession, during which participants gather as much produce as they can from the beautifully decorated homes. There are competitions, parades, cultural performances, exhibits, and plenty of fiestas throughout the festivities, which often last two weeks.
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Festival activities to look out for:
Markets
Procession Markets:
Street food stalls
Music Stages
Float Parades
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For more information, check out their official website by clicking here.
