There are four big Philippine festivals that are sometimes referred to as Mardi Gras. the Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan – January. the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo – January. the Sinulog Festival of Cebu – January. the MassKara Festival of Bacolod – October. It’s no coincidence that the first three are in January. Ati-Atihan is the Philippines’ wildest Mardi Gras-like celebration, a week-long street party in Kalibo that rages from dawn to dusk, peaking on the third Sunday in January. The Mardi Gras of the Philippines. Benjamin Layug; June 27, 2019; 3 minute read; 1 An Ati-Atihan-themed street dance 2 The Float Parade 3 The Street Dancing Competition 4 The Pandong Contest You can have your fill of Mardi Gras sights and sounds in four festivals held in the Southern part of the country ---the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan celebrated every January 14 to 16; Iloilo’s Dinagyang from January 17 to 23; the Sinulog of Cebu City every January 23; and the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City every October 19. Ati-Atihan: The Philippine Mardi Gras, where Christianity, tribal traditions and the art of masks join in a unique celebration. Discover the rich history, rooted traditions and contemporary evolution of this Filipino festival that merges faith and cultural diversity. Dive into this fascinating world and get ready to marvel at you! 5. Ati-Atihan Festival. Where: Kalibo, Aklan. When: Third week of January. Known as “The Philippine Mardi Gras” and the wildest festival in the country. Ati-Atihan displays the enthralling native dance competition where everyone is encourage to participate and dance with the performers. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday of the Holy Week that ends on Easter Sunday. But in the Philippines “Mardi Gras” refers to a street carnival that’s celebrated during other times of the year, not during Lent. Continue reading “MARDI GRAS in the Philippines?” Believed to be around 800 years old, it was celebrated by the Aetas of Panay and the newly settled Malays from Borneo, long before there was an archipelagic Philippines to speak of. Today it is recognized as the “Mother of all Philippine festivals” and is a week-long celebration that people from all over visit the city to get a taste of. Exploring the Vibrant Heart of the Philippines’ Festive Tradition. As I step onto the bustling streets of Kalibo, the air is thick with the scent of burnt candles and the pulsating rhythm of drums. The Ati-Atihan Festival, the Philippines’ answer to Mardi Gras, is in full swing, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in its vibrant celebration. Ati-Atihan Festival – The Philippines’ Mardi Gras Posted on January 13, 2019 by SCLMRose In 1212, as legend has it, 10 Bornean datu (chiefs), fleeing the collapse of the once-mighty Srivijayan empire, sailed northwards with their followers and landed on the island of Panay. Understanding the Essence of Sinulog Festival. Sinulog Festival traces its origins to the pre-colonial era when Cebuano locals practiced animist rituals to honor their deities. The festival gained a Christian twist when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan gifted an image of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) to Rajah Humabon’s wife. Touted as a Kapampángan Mardi Gras, the Caragan Festival (now rebranded to Balacat Festival starting 2023) celebrates Mabalacat City’s indigenous Aeta roots and culture and is named in honor of its Aeta founder, Haring Caragan. TÛGBÔNG FESTIVAL “Bilad-Kinámayad” April 25, 2005 MARDI GRAS COMPETITION A. MECHANICS: The competition is open to all Barangays in the Municipality of Pandan. The Maximum number of participants shall be 40 but not less than 30, open to all ages. History of Caracol Festival. The name of the celebration comes from the Spanish word caracol which means snail and a symbol for resilience. Dubbed as a version of the Mardi Gras of Rio de Janiero, it is a grand event organized by the city government of Makati that puts calls for environmental conservation and Filipino culture front and center. Our guide offers tips for enjoying the festival to the fullest, ensuring an immersive and memorable experience. Join us as we celebrate Bacolod's MassKara Festival, where smiles and festivities abound, inviting you to join in the joyous celebration of culture, art, and community. 🎭 #masskara #festival #bacolod #philippines The activity is marked with a number of activities, including a motorcade and a parade that features colorful floats. The activity is intended to serve as a complement to the Karakoa Food Festival and the Philippine Motorsports Festival. Subic Bay FreeportKarakoa Festival. Address: Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales. Takes place: April All About The Ati-Atihan Festival Of The Philippines The annual festival is held every year in January and lasts a week. With various events like a street parades, pageant nights, music concerts, and much dancing on the streets, it resembles Mardi Gras Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] red, yellow, pink, and purple mask, Bacolod 2018 MassKara Festival 2017 MassKara Festival Ati-Atihan festival, mask, mask, maskara, 2017 Masskara Festival png 900x675px 522.04KB Click on the Mardi Gras krewes below for further information about the krewe and to see their usual route for each parade. Please note: Events and activities are subject to change without notice. Stay tuned to the site for further info.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |