December Festivals in the Philippines (2023)

The Philippines holds numerous festivals, and December is no different than the rest of the year. 🪅✨ Aside from the holiday festivities, there are so many cultural and historical celebrations happening across the country.

Here, we’ve listed some that you might be interested in witnessing or participating in. 

🙏 Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8

📍 Cotabato City and Puerto Princesa City

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Sunlight Guest Hotel (Malvar Street, Barangay Tagumpay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, 5300)

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a pertinent religious event in the Philippines, which is widely celebrated throughout the Philippines. For example, in Cotabato City, devout Catholics celebrate with religious activities, cultural shows, and competitions. In Palawan, the locals celebrate it with traditional performances and a huge fluvial parade in Puerto Princesa City.

🧚 Pagdidiwata – December 8

📍 Puerto Princesa, Palawan

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Coco Bloom (San Juan Road Coco Bloom, 5302 Aborlan); La Caballa Beach Resort Palawan (Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Palawan, 5302 Aborlan)

The Pagdidiwata Festival, an annual celebration among Palawan’s Tagbanua people, is culturally significant. The somber performance of the Pagdiwata Ritual, a display of the Tagbanua’s tremendous regard for their deities, is part of this event. The event allows the Palawan community to express appreciation to their divine beings while also requesting divine intervention for the healing of the sick and praying for those who have died.

✨ Bikol Pastores – December 18

📍Legazpi City, Albay

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: The Marison Hotel (Corner Imelda Roces Ave, Legazpi City, Albay)

The Bikol Pastores is a unique Christmas event claimed to have originated in the region, with “pastores” – young men and women costumed in vivid shepherd costumes – joyously dancing and singing “Pastores a Belen” as they parade through the streets of the city.

🕌 Shariff Kabunsuan – December 15-19

📍 Maguindanao/Cotabato City

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: The Farm at Carpenter Hill (FV7H+5FQ, Brgy. Carpenter Hill,,, AH26, Marbel, Timog Cotabato)

Celebrate the arrival of Arab Malay missionary Shariff Kabunsuan 500 years ago, who introduced Islam to Mindanao. Among other things, enjoy street dancing, cultural displays, musical competitions, trade fairs, fashion exhibitions, and the traditional thanksgiving dinner, Kanduli.

🎏 Giant Lantern Festival  – December 14-20

📍 San Fernando, Pampanga

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Microtel Inn & Suites (LGC Blvd., Laus Group Complex, Jose Abad Santos Ave, San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga)

San Fernando, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, illuminates with giant lanterns during the holiday season. Witness the enchantment of the Giant Lantern Festival, as artisans compete to produce the most brilliant Christmas lanterns. This festival highlights the city’s lantern-making skills, which are a key industry in San Fernando. 

🎆 Maytinis Festival – December 24

📍 Kawit, Cavite

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Microtel by Wyndham – Eagle Ridge (Amadeo Road, General Trias, Cavite 4107)

The Maytinis Festival is a recreation of Mary and Joseph’s search for refuge in Bethlehem. The celebration of Kawit, Cavite, is a touching reenactment of this biblical tale that culminates in a happy citywide procession. It’s known as ‘panunuluyan’ in the Philippines and is a valued local tradition.

🎊 Kamundagan Festival – December 1-31

📍 Naga City

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Avenue Plaza Hotel (40 Magsaysay Ave, Naga, 4400 Camarines Sur)

Naga City’s charter anniversary and Christmas are combined in the month-long Kamundagan Festival. For the whole month, there are a variety of cultural shows, pageants, parades, and trade shows to participate in. There’s also the traditional Pastores and Kiri-kiti performances to witness. While you’re there, take this as an opportunity to visit the spectacular Mayon Volcano in Albay and sample Bicol’s famous spicy cuisine.

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