November Festivals In The Philippines culture – We Filipinos celebrate fiestas for the various reasons. These include showing thankfulness for the good harvest, the revealing of feast days of saints, and honoring significant events in local history. The Philippine festivals are characterized by overflowing food, colorful games, joyous music, and contests.
The following are November Festivals In The Philippines
1. The Festival of Lights
The Lights festival was celebrated on the first day of November, Sagadians gather at the cemetery to remember their buried of love ones. But rather of lighting traditional candles, they use woods of old pine trees locally called saeng, a burnable wood from old pine trees, to make bonfires on the graves of their departed. They call it “panag-apoy”, a belief long been exercised in Sagada, Mountain Province.
Location: Sagada, Mountain Province
Commemoration and Main attractions: tradition long been practiced in Sagada and passed on even to
present generation.
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2. Banaag Festival
Banaag Festival features Anilao’s rich history through well-researched theater performances. Known to be one of the most spectacular festivals in Iloilo, Banaag is a festivity life and spirit; beauty and artistry by utilizing fire inherited performances that fascinate and enchant spectators. Included in the celebration are dancers who work, tame and shape fire as they spin flaming props and hoops of fire. The event incorporates live performers and dramatic musical scores reflecting the history and culture of its people. The occasion is also accompanied by fireworks from locally made firecrackers and will feature the collective talents of artists, performers, craftspeople of Anilao.
Location: Anilao, Iloilo
Commemoration and Main attractions: highlights Anilao’s rich history
3. Tumba Festival (Candle Festival)
In celebration of the culture and traditions of Batangas, Batanguenos celebrate this unique festival called Tumba Festival or Candle Festival wherein they take candles from one another.This festival annually occurs every November 1st, All Saint's Day in the town of San Luis. After stealing candles, they will form it into a pyramid and people will go dance around the candles. This game is what they called Tumba which originated from their ancestors. It's their own way of commemorating those who already passed away.
Date of Range: 2 Nov
Location: San Luis, Batangas
Commemoration and Main attractions: commemorating those who already passed away
4. Pintaflores Festival
Pintaflores festival is an annual festival that is held in the wonderful city of San Carlos, in Negros Occidental. The festival is pointed every 5th November. The event's name is unique, one that piques the interest of many travelers. This name is an ancestry of the Spanish word ‘pinta’ which loosely translates to tattoos and ‘flores’ which means flowers. This event, in aspect, is all about the union of arts and nature, making for a very interesting theme.
Location: San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Commemoration and Main attractions: festival marked by a street dancing,(in honor of Saint Charles Borromeo)
5. San Carlos City Fiesta
A three-day religious festivity worshiping the patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo, featuring Pintaflores Festival, fluvial parade, processions, sports presentations, body painting contest, and concerts.
Date of Range: 4 Nov
Location: San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Commemoration and Main attractions: honoring the patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo,
6. Angono Arts Festival
The festival aims at creating alertness and recognition of Philippine Art and Culture promoting arts and culture as the integral attraction for local and foreign tourists. Rizal has the potential of becoming a tourist destination particularly in the field of arts and proficiency. It is known as the home of various national artists, musicians, and other equally creative artists.
Date of Range: 5 Nov to 25 Nov
Location: Angono, Rizal
Commemoration and Main attractions: promoting arts and culture as vital attraction
7. Negros Day
A historical festival that commemorates the victory of the Negrenses’ bloodless revolt against the Spaniards in 1898.
Date of Range: 5 Nov
Location: Negros Occidental
Commemoration and Main attractions: commemorates the victory of the Negrenses’ bloodless revolt
8. El Cinco de Noviembre / Kansilay Festival
This festival is about a folktale depicting the bravery of Princess Kansilay who was successful in defending her people by fighting courageously for her life against the pirate invaders. Her people were surprised to see a tree growing from the ground where they buried the princess’ body.
Date of Range: 5 Nov to 13 Nov
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
Commemoration and Main attractions: folktale depicting the bravery of Princess Kansilay
9. Helobong Festival (Helubong)
There is no doubt that Lake Sebu is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. In fact, it attracts hundreds and thousands of local and foreign tourists all year round. Just on its own, it is already a sight to behold.But during the month of November, it becomes even more magnificent with the celebration of the Helobong Festival. This takes place on November 9 to 15 this year in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. Here, the residents take part in a week-long fiesta that the rich T’boli practice through traditional songs and dances. Native products are made available as well.
Date of Range: 9 Nov to 15 Nov
Location: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Commemoration and Main attractions: T’boli culture through traditional songs and dances
10. Sandurot Festival
Sandurot is derived from the word pakig-sandurot means fellowship and reaching out. People of Dumaguete are pleasant, loving and hospitable. They appreciate everyone who visits their city and they reach out to make them feel at home at the same time touring the beautiful views. Local representatives prepare different activities that will make everyone experience the friendly essence of Dumaguetenos. Newcomers will not be lonely in this city of peaceful and gentle people because they continue welcoming arms to them. The joyous festival also celebrates the Charter Anniversary of Dumaguete as well as the festivity of St. Catherine de Alexandria.
Date of Range: 9 Nov to 15 Nov
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
Commemoration and Main attractions: the feast of St. Catherine de Alexandria, the Patroness Saint of Philosophers.
11. Visayas-Mindanao Drum and Bugle Corps
Drum and bugle competition from various schools / civic organizations from the Visayas and Mindanao.
Date of Range: 9 Nov to 15 Nov
Location: Mindanao area / Cagayan de Oro City
Commemoration and Main attractions: Drum and bugle competition from different schools
12. Taw-anay Gugma
Taw-anay Gugma is a cultural and fiesta celebration.
Date of Range: 11 Nov
Location: Dumalag, Capiz
Commemoration and Main attractions: cultural and fiesta celebration.
13. Kalag-Kalag Festival
Kalag-Kalag Festival means rekindles the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives to lovingly remember their departed loved ones. In most part of the country, it is known as all saints day.
Date of Range: 13 Nov
Location: Cebu City
Commemoration and Main attractions: restages the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives to lovingly remember departed loved ones
14. Pandag-kitab Oriental Mindoro
The variety of Pandang-Gitab is the traditional sway-and-balance, with graceful shallow gyrating of hips and torso, complemented with a side-to-side moderate swing of hands, careful not to drop the candle-on-glass on both palms and on the head of the dancer. Props and other materials are being promoted for added attraction and modifications are allowed but must not affect the significant pattern of the dance (pandanggo) itself.
Date of Range: 14 Nov
Location: Calapan City
Commemoration and Main attractions: provincial festival
15. Founding Anniversary of Occidental Mindoro
It is an annual festivity and the major activities are the exhibition of the provinces’ agricultural, coastal and marine profits, street dancing and sports competition, the parade of beauties and giving of awards and recognition to achievers or outstanding performers of the Province.
Date of Range: 15 Nov
Location: Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
Commemoration and Main attractions: giving of awards and recognition to achievers or outstanding performers of the Province
16. La Union Surfing Invitational/Surfing Festival
An all-Filipino handled surfing competition. A community-based tourism activity where surfers from around the Philippines are invited to contend and have fun at one of the best surfing destinations in the country called Surfing Festival.
Date of Range: 17 Nov to 19 Nov
Location: San Juan, La Union
Commemoration and Main attractions: surfing competition
17. Kahilwayan Festival/Cry of Santa Barbara
Attached upon the Cry of Santa Barbara Celebration, Kahilwayan Festival is a cultural festival in a dance-drama form which is a reenactment of sort of the encounter for freedom by our very own local folks led by the heroic Gen. Martin G. Delgado. Appropriately dubbed as Kahilwayan Festival,Kahilwayan being an Ilonggo/Hiligaynon word which means Freedom or Liberty, it highlights the adventure of the Ilonggos to gain freedom through their fiercely independent spirit.
Date of Range: 17 Nov
Location: Santa Barbara, Iloilo
Commemoration and Main attractions: reenactment of sort of the struggle for freedom by our very own local folks
18. Urukay Festival
It is influenced by a local custom whereby a wedding feast is observed no matter how poor or humble the bride and groom are in this celebration, there is much fun and good featured teasing.
Date of Range: 18 Nov to 19 Nov
Location: Anini-y, Antique
Commemoration and Main attractions: a wedding feast
19. Baguio Arts Festival
Baguio Arts Festival is an exhibit of the different artworks and art pieces of the various Cordillera artists in different art media.
Date of Range: 18 Nov
Location: Baguio City
Commemoration and Main attractions: exhibit of artworks and art pieces
20. Inilusan Festival
Inilusan Festival of Mambusao, Capiz is a combination of cultural and religious celebration. Activities include novenas and masses as a spiritual preparation for the annual feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The festival futures street dancing, cultural presentation, beauty pageants, civic parade and food festival are highly-anticipated by residents as well as visitors of the town. The festival is held from November 20-25 of the year.
The word “inulusan” signifies mutual sharing of resources, foods, and goodwill in a generous amount. It is a genuine spirit of giving and taking to strengthen the ties between and among them. Residents' inherent generosity is part of the charm of this humble town in Capiz. With the annual Inulusan Festival, the residents continue to showcase the unique culture and history of Mambusao.
Date of Range: 20 Nov to 25 Nov
Location: Mambusao, Capiz
Commemoration and Main attractions: A cultural and fiesta celebration
21. Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta
Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta in honor of their patron, Saint Nuestra Senora. They believe and religious in their patron, spend time in worship and prayer. This festival mark also the establishment of Lapu-Lapu City. The festival has various activities like sports, street party, food festival, and many others. Lapu-laps festivity is one of the much-awaited events. This is not only to adore the food but with a wholehearted reception of the Cebuanos and a lifetime experience.
Date of Range: 21 Nov to 22 Nov
Location: Lapu-Lapu City
Commemoration and Main attractions: to honor the Virgin of the Rule, patron of Lapu-Lapu City.
22. Kalimudan Festival
Kalimudan Festival means informal gathering, the means of the festival was to unity. It brings together the people of Manobos that have an ethnic group in Sultan Kudarat to the Tirurays to the T'bolis. This is a unique event that promotes a unity of different people from different cultural backgrounds. These people show where they came from and where they came from. This event is to recall the foundation of Sultan Kudarat. It showcases the richness of the culture of the people in Mindanao. Historical heritage Mindanao art and tribe’s social can be seen during Kalimudan. This festival features some activities like sports competitions , street dancing and the exchange of gifts.
Date of Range: 21 Nov
Location: Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
Commemoration and Main attractions: tribal fiesta
23. Higantes Festival (Feast of San Clemente)
Angono’s joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal investment, is borne by male devotees during a procession accompanied by parehadoras devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles and higantes, giant paper mache effigies. The street event culminates in fluvial procession at the Laguna de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back to its sanctuary.Higantes Festival or the Feast of San Clemente angono’s joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal investment, is borne by male believers during a procession accompanied by parehadoras devotees dressed in colorful local outfits, carrying boat paddles and wooden shoes and higantes, giant paper mache effigies. At the Laguna de Bay during revelry that continues until the image is brought back to its sanctuary where street event culminates in fluvial procession.
Date of Range:22 Nov to 23 Nov
Location: Angono, Rizal
Commemoration and Main attractions: marked by giant papier mache effigies, (in honor of Saint Clement)
24. Guinakit of Maguindanao
Guinakit of Maguindanao Guinakits it means bancas or boats filled with jazzy traditional Muslim decors. It is held at the mouth of Rio Grande de Mindanao every 19th of December.
The said event mimics the arrival of Shariff Muhammed Kabunsuan, the missionary came from Johore whose aim is to pioneer Islamic Faith is a place where a .
A fluvial parade is a grand event was Kabunsuan Festival is part of the Shariff, wherein the people from nearby towns devote their time just to witness the gorgeous guinakits with beautiful dancers wearing their perfect and vibrant costumes, and dancing graciously to the traditional music.
Date of Range: 22 Nov
Location: Rio Grande de Mindanao
Commemoration and Main attractions: boat parade
25. Cordillera Festival
Cordillera Festival in Baguio City was held every November to celebrate the culture and tradition of the major ethnolinguistic group of the region. A week-long festival features tribal dancing and thanksgiving ceremonials.
Date of Range: 22 Nov
Location: Baguio City
Commemoration and Main attractions: features tribal dancing and thanksgiving ceremonials.
26. Kabkaban Festival
Kabkaban Festival they believed in the ritual dance to driving away bad spirits. The term is taken from a kind of grass that is so plentiful in the place. Through the encouragement of Val Sandiego, the Kabkaban celebration today is given much attention by the Carcaranons and guests from other places. The highlight of this festival to honor of its patron, St. Catherine of Alexandria. Basket weaving is also some of the prevailing cottage industries they also into wooden furniture manufacturing, bolo making, and antique reproduction. Carcar is known for its locally-made shoes. The festival celebrates every November 24-25.
Date of Range: 23 Nov to 29 Nov
Location: Carcar, Cebu
Commemoration and Main attractions: in honor of its patroness, St. Catherine of Alexandria.
27. Benguet Foundation Day
Benguet Foundation Day the Ethnic Igorots make their presence felt once again in Benguet as they hold a grand canon at the capital grounds of Benguet province . Ritual sacrifices are made, followed by prayers made in the native language and series of chants. Tribal performances come next. No touristy stuff here, just a healthy dose of traditional Cordillera culture.
Date of Location: 23 Nov
Location: Benguet
Commemoration and Main attractions: traditional Cordillera culture.
28. Santa Ipon Festival
Santa Ipon Festival a thanksgiving celebration in Santa, Ilocos Sur which is highlighted by catching the ipon , a small but mysterious fish.
Date of Range: 25 Nov to 25 Dec
Location: Santa, Ilocos Sur
Commemoration and Main attractions: thanksgiving celebration highlighted by the catching of the ipon
29. Feast of Santa Catalina
Feast of Santa Catalina they celebrate using games like along Lahi, an array of games very native to Mindoreños and Filipino, joined in by all games enthusiasts.
Date of Range: 26 Nov
Location: Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
Commemoration and Main attractions: Palarong Lahi of Mindoreños and Filipino
30. Panangedayew
Panangedayew Festival was held ever November 27-28 this festival aims that there is a reason to be happy still despite all the problems you might be going through and to show people not to lose hope. This festival consist of many different activities like a gorgeous garden show beside Dagupan astrodome ( where you will see many colorful blooming flowers, a trade fair where Pangasinan's pride is wholesaled like bangus, locally made houseware and Christmas decors are sold at a very affordable price.
Date of Range: 27 Nov
Location: Dagupan City
Commemoration and Main attractions: festival aims to show people not to lose hope and there's a reason to be happy
31. Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was usually celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8. The most important Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated worldwide.
Date of Range: 29 Nov to 8 Dec
Location: Puerto Princesa City
Commemoration and Main attractions: in honor of Immaculate Conception
32. Day-ang Di Onga Festival
Day-ang Di Onga Festival this is one of the region’s major events featuring young Cordillerans in a day-long event to “celebrate life.”
Location: Baguio City
Commemoration and Main attractions: features young Cordillerans in a day-long event to “celebrate life”
33. Annual Pinatubo Trek (A March to Peace Tranquility)
Annual Pinatubo Trek (A March to Peace Tranquility) an annual event to commemorate the world-famous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo foreshown the world over as the biggest and geologic upheaval of the 20th century.
Date of Range: 30 Nov
Location: Capas, Tarlac
Commemoration and Main attractions: to commemorate the world-famous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo
34. Adivay Festival
The Adivay Festival is one of the dominant events in the province of Benguet. This is also the day of the Great Canao, the Foundation Anniversary of the province. This event is held yearly at the town plaza of La Trinidad. The Adivay Festival is simultaneously having the same date with the Foundation Anniversary of Benguet on the 24th of November. The province was invented 1900. The government of Benguet decided to merge the event so that it will create a big adventure that is owned by the province. This is a 1-week celebration festival. Adivay Festival ceremony starts with a street dance and fundamental games in the morning. The Great Canao rituals are made in the afternoon. All 13 municipalities of Benguet perform. The final of the Adivay Festival ends in awarding and recognizing all the achievements of the municipalities, officials and the local citizens who are outstanding and deserving to be awarded. The feature of the festival is to promote unity to all government of Benguet, to promote the history, culture, arts and tradition of the province, to affirm the agricultural tourism, education and trading of the Benguet.
The government of Benguet decided to merge the event so that it will create a big adventure that is owned by the province. This is a 1-week celebration festival. Adivay Festival ceremony starts with a street dance and fundamental games in the morning. The Great Canao rituals are made in the afternoon. All 13 municipalities of Benguet perform. The final of the Adivay Festival ends in awarding and recognizing all the achievements of the municipalities, officials and the local citizens who are outstanding and deserving to be awarded. The feature of the festival is to promote unity to all government of Benguet, to promote the history, culture, arts and tradition of the province, to affirm the agricultural tourism, education and trading of the Benguet.
Date of Range: 2nd week of November
Location: La Trinidad, Benguet
Commemoration and Main attractions: celebration of culture and tradition of Benguet ethnic tribes
35. P'yagsawitan Festival
A festival for the good harvest and thanksgiving rituals, the P’yagsawitan Festival is celebrated in Maragusan, Compostela Valley, together with the town’s foundation day.
The Maragusan Municipality highlights this festival with a trip to the outdoors to feature the town’s ecotourism potential.
This festival also features ethnic dancing performed not only by the locals but also schools and other organizations. Harvest thanksgiving rituals were also held to thank the good harvest. Visitors will also enjoy the beauty pageants, singing contests, and dance showdown prepared by the municipality government not only to entertain people but also to show to the whole world what the people of Maragusan can do.
Date of Range: November (3rd week),18 Nov to 25
Location: Maragusan, Compostela Valley
Commemoration and Main attractions: involves performances by indigenous groups of the area, and harvest-related thanksgiving rituals
36. Kawayanan Festival
Apart from its large produce of rice and coconut, Gloria has an exclusive reputation of possessing vast tracts of land growing distinctive varieties of bamboo. The staging of the Kawayanan festival focuses on the abundance of “kawayan” or bamboo in the area. Related to other festivals, it is being celebrated with street dancing performances mostly by students from various levels. Costumes are also made of bamboo materials. A trade fair is likewise a special interest with its varied display of products made of bamboos.
Date of Range: November (3rd week)
Location: Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur
Commemoration and Main attractions: celebrates the versatility of the Bamboo plant
37. Binabayani Festival
Masinloc is one of the most photographic municipalities in the northern part of the province of Zambales, and townspeople and visitors would drift this quiet town every November 30th as it celebrates the Binabayani Festival. Taken from the Sambal word which means fearlessness, the feast, which is billed as the local version of the world-famous Ati-Atihan and is primarily a war dance, corresponds with the feast day of its patron saint, Saint Andrew. The celebration traces back to the epic conflicts between the Aeta natives and the Christian colonizers, and now it is mainly commemorated as a fair uniting the townsfolk, with thanksgiving parades and contests dominating its calendar of activities.
Date of Range: November (last week)
Location: Olongapo, Zambales
Commemoration and Main attractions: re-enacts the war between the Aetas and the Christians through dance
38. Crown Festival
Crown Festival is celebrated every third week of November while having a parade along the town of Muzon, Taytay Rizal. Everyone should wear a crown and experience the feeling of being special!
Date of Range: November (third week)
Location: Muzon Taytay, Rizal
Commemoration and Main attractions: Crown
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