September Festivals in the Philippines (2023) (Watatrip Guide)

This Watatrip guide shares with you a few festivals happening this September all over the Philippines that you may want to attend or bookmark for next year:

Busig-On Festival

The Busig-on of Labo town takes center stage in a celebration that encapsulates heroism and the unique qualities of Bicolanos. This festival commemorates the town’s rich historical values and emotions by showcasing them through various performances and talent competitions that highlight the town’s significant attractions.

When: First week of September
Accommodation option: Calaguas Gateway Hotel. (FB: @calaguasgatewayhotel)

Peñafrancia Festival

The Peñafrancia celebration is an annual religious and cultural celebration held in Naga City, Philippines. This event has firmly etched its place as one of the nation’s premier spectacles, drawing countless pilgrims and thrill-seekers from far and wide. At its heart, the festival boasts the awe-inspiring “Voyadores” – a troupe of men bedecked in resplendent, time-honored attire. With unwavering devotion, they embark on a spirited procession through Naga City, bearing the age-old symbol of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Their steps sync with jubilant chants and prayers, infusing the air with an electrifying and joyful resonance.

When: September 7 – 18; 21, 2023
Accommodation option: Robertson Hotel. (FB: @RobertsonHotelNaga)

Hin-Ay Festival

This grand celebration pays homage to the revered guardian of the town, St. Michael the Archangel, while embarking on an exciting journey to unearth the rich tapestry of Irosin’s cultural heritage. With deep reverence for their ancestral struggles, this event serves as a beacon of hope, reigniting the flames of community progress. Among the highlights is the exuberant Mardi Gras, commemorating the triumphant clash of the Archangels against the Black angel. Alongside, a vibrant cultural extravaganza, an agro-trade fair brimming with local treasures, a dazzling beauty pageant, and a tantalizing gastronomy festival complete the kaleidoscope of festivities.

When:September 1 – 29, 2023
Accommodation option: Fernando’s Hotel (FB: @fernandoshotelsorsogon)

T’boli Tribal Festival

T’Boli Tribal Festival is conducted annually in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines. It is celebrated every third week of September and includes tribal rites that begin early in the morning amidst the sounds of gongs and native music, ending at the town square with traditional dances and ethical sports such as horse fighting. Lemlunay is a channel through which they can honor their gods, ancestor spirits, and the complicated web of traditions passed down through centuries.

When: September 11 – 13, 2023
Accommodation option: Dolyn Suites (FB: @dolynsuites)

Sarakiki Festival

The Sarakiki-Hadang Festival is held in Calbayog City, Western Samar, during the first seven days of September. The curtain rises with a troupe of street performers doing the chicken dance, reenacting the spirited Sarakiki dance – a cherished Waray tradition. Simultaneously, the term ‘hadang’ takes center stage, symbolizing offerings made to seek favor from the spirits during feasts and various significant junctures in life. Whether it’s the planting of seeds, the abundant harvest, a plea for rain in times of drought, victory in battle, the shadow of pestilence, or the hope of healing the afflicted, these rituals weave a vibrant tapestry of cultural reverence and celebration.

When: September 1-8, 2023
Accommodation option: Ciriaco Hotel. (FB: @ciriacohotel)

Dalit Festival

“To offer” is Dalit’s meaning. It’s a feast that honors and gives thanks to St. Michael the Archangel. Through singing and dancing, they proclaim the archangel’s gift of abundance and safety. As the world marks his feast day on September 29th, Tangubanons step into a month-long jubilation, culminating in a dazzling liturgical procession that pays homage to their celestial patron. The celebration is made complete with the energetic street dance and showdown competition, painting the city with colors and melodies that become the very pulse of life during this extraordinary season. Picture the collective euphoria as voices unite in joyous exclamations, “Viva Senor San Miguel!” This is a celebration that brims with passion and purpose

When: September 29, 2023
Accommodation option: Cinderella’s Hotel. (FB: @CinderellasHotelTangub)