Festivals serve various important cultural, social, and religious purposes in different societies and communities around the world.
Iloilo Province celebrates the community’s cultural heritage, traditions, and customs. Every municipality, barangay, and district provides an opportunity for people to express their identity, values, and shared history through art, music, dance, food, and other cultural expressions.
Most of the festivals have religious significance and are dedicated to honoring deities, saints, or important religious events. These celebrations are an essential part of religious practice and include srituals, prayers, and gatherings at places of worship.
Other festivals are more into social bonding which bring people together and fostering a sense of community. They provide occasions for family and friends to reunite, share experiences, and create lasting memories.
There are also festivals which are a commemoration of historical events or milestones, such as independence days, national holidays, or anniversaries of important happenings. These events help people remember and reflect on their history.
Seasonal festival are also present. These festivities are linked to the changing of seasons, marking the transition from one season to another. For example, agricultural growth and harvest festivals that mark the end of the growing season.
List of Festivals in Iloilo Province
Click the festival name to see more information about it.
| Municipality | Festival | Date |
| Ajuy | Tambobo Festival | September 8-10 |
| Alimodian | Alimodian Agro-Fair | 1st week of December |
| Pailaw sa Plaza | Whole month of December | |
| Anilao | Banaag Festival | 1st week of November |
| Badiangan | Pandayan Festival | Last week of June |
| Balasan | Lechon Festival | Every 3rd week of July |
| Banate | Kasag Festival | 3rd week of December |
| Barotac Nuevo | Tamasak Festival | 3rd week of February |
| Paghiliusa Festival | 3rd week of December | |
| Barotac Viejo | Taltal | Holy Week |
| Baroto sa Lutac Race | Last week of June | |
| Patubas Festival | 3rd week of December | |
| Bingawan | Pagnahi-an Festival | 3rd week of June |
| Cabatuan | Tinuom Festival | 1st week of September |
| Calinog | Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival | Last week of October |
| Indigenous People’s Day | Last week of October | |
| Carles | Tikab-Tikab Festival | 3rd week of March |
| Pangisda Festival | 2nd week of October | |
| Concepcion | Tampisaw Festival | 3rd week of May |
| Dingle | Pagdihon Festival | October 28 |
| Dueñas | Anihan Festival | Last week of September |
| Camote Festival | May 15 | |
| Dumangas | Haw-as Festival | Last week of October |
| Estancia | Panagat Festival | Last week of April |
| Guimbal | Bantayan Festival | Week before Holy Week |
| Disyembre sa Guimbal | 3rd till the last week of December | |
| Igbaras | Tangyan Festival | 3rd week of May |
| Janiuay | Gugma sang Paskwa | December 15-21 |
| Lambunao | Binanog Festival | January 10 |
| Leon | Kaing Festival | 3rd week of November |
| Leganes | Saad Festival | 1st week of April |
| Biray Paraw Festival | Every 3rd week of June | |
| Lemery | Saug Festival | January 26-28 |
| Maasin | Tultugan Festival | December 29 |
| Miag-ao | Salakayan Festival | 1st week of February |
| Hablon Festival | 3rd week of December | |
| Mina | Paskwa Halad sa Banwa | December 15-31 |
| New Lucena | Cry of Jelicuon Festival | Last week of October |
| Jimanban Festival | Last week of January | |
| Oton | Katagman Festival | 3rd week of May |
| Sandiya Festival | Every 1st week of December | |
| Passi City | Pintados de Pasi Festival | March 21 |
| Pavia | Carabao Carroza Festival | 1st week of May |
| Tigkaralag Festival | October 30 | |
| Pototan | Iwag Christmas Lights Festival | 3rd week of December |
| San Dionisio | Panaad Festival | May 5 |
| San Enrique | Kalamay Festival | 3rd week of July |
| San Joaquin | Pasungay Festival | January 16 |
| Pasungay sa Agosto | 2nd week of August | |
| Bayluhay Festival | 3rd week of January | |
| San Miguel | Pasidungog kay Señor San Miguel | Last week of December |
| Santa Barbara | Kahilwayan Festival | Every 17th of November |
| Sara | Sulay Basya Festival | November 17 |
| Tigbauan | Saludan Festival | Last week of October |
| Burihan Festival | 2nd week of February | |
| Tubungan | Tubong-Tubong Festival | May 1 |
| Zarraga | Pantat Festival | 3rd week of December |
| 5th District | Kanaway Festival | 1st week of March |
| Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office | Tumandok | 3rd week of September |
| Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office | Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair | 3rd week of August |
| Province Wide | Semana Santa | 1st week of April |
| DOT-VI | Fiestas in the City | Last week of May |
Festivals help preserve and pass down cultural traditions, rituals, and customs from one generation to the next. They play a role in keeping cultural heritage alive. They raise awareness about important issues, social causes, or historical events.
Festivals are a dynamic and integral part of human societies, serving a multitude of purposes that vary depending on the specific festival and the cultural context in which it takes place. They contribute to the richness and diversity of human experience.
Torres-Campos. F. (2022). Mga Ginto sa Iloilo. Malones Printing Press and Publishing House. Jaro, Iloilo City. pp. 474-475
ILOILO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TOURISM OFFICE
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Blog: mybeautifulILOILO
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