If there’s one month where every town bursts into bloom—not just with flowers but with culture, devotion, and pride—it’s May. The List of Philippine Festivals in May is a vivid showcase of what makes the archipelago one of the most culturally festive nations in Asia. From ancestral rituals to agricultural thanksgiving, this is a time when the Filipino spirit dances, sings, and honors its roots.
May is synonymous with the famous Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan processions, but it doesn’t stop there. Each region hosts its own unique celebration—from volcano legends in Bicol to kneeling carabaos in Bulacan, mango fiestas in Guimaras to fluvial parades in Davao. This article guides you through the List of Philippine Festivals in May, offering exact dates, festival highlights, and travel tips so you can plan your fiesta-filled journey.
Here’s a list of Philippine Festivals this May
List of Philippine Festivals by Region & Province
Luzon
- Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan (May 1–31, nationwide)
Floral processions and Marian devotion led in Metro Manila, Luzon provinces, and small towns alike. - Pahiyas Festival (May 15, Lucban, Quezon)
Housefronts adorned with kiping wafers, fruits, veggies, and crafts. - Pulilan Carabao Festival (May 13–15, Bulacan)
Festive rituals with painted carabaos kneeling before the church. - Mayohan sa Tayabas (May 1–15, Quezon province)
Suman-throwing and coconut-themed parades in honor of San Isidro. - Garlic Festival (Bawang) (May 1–3, Sinait, Ilocos Sur)
Celebrates the garlic harvest with cooking demos, bulbs display, and trade fairs. - Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts (May 1–7, Ilocos Sur)
Heritage performances and street arts throughout historic Vigan. - Araquio Festival (May 3–4, Nueva Ecija)
Re-enactment of folk battles between Christians and Moros. - Pista’y Dayat (May 1, Lingayen, Pangasinan)
Fluvial thanksgiving with seaside mass and boat races.
Visayas
- Manggahan Festival (May 15–22, Guimaras)
Mango-themed street dancing, farm tours, and culinary celebrations. - Panag-Batang Festival (May 30–31, Tagbilaran, Bohol)
City charter celebrations with music, tribal performances, and civic pride. - Isla Rancho Festival (May 12–17, San Pascual, Masbate)
Agricultural demos, livestock shows, and rodeo-style parades.
Mindanao
- Davao Gulf Regatta (May 1–4, Davao Oriental)
Decorated banca races and fluvial parades showcasing marine culture. - Magayon Festival (May 1–31, Albay)
A month of volcano-inspired dances, fairs, pageants, and adventure tourism. - Butanding Festival (May 17–24, Donsol, Sorsogon)
Whale shark conservation observances, sea parades, and eco-events. - Sarung Banggi Festival (May 19–27, Sto. Domingo, Albay)
Evening lanterned parades and performances celebrating Bicolano culture. - Layag Festival (May 22–27, Rapu-Rapu, Albay)
Maritime procession for Our Lady of Peñafrancia, with boat pageantry. - Lubi-Lubi Festival (May 22, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental)
Coconut-themed floats and dances recognizing local livelihoods. - P’gsalabuk Festival (April–May, Zamboanga del Norte)
Cultural unity celebration among Muslim, Christian, and Indigenous tribes. - Ammungan Festival (May 19–24, Nueva Vizcaya)
Indigenous culture showcase with tribal dances and handicraft exhibit.
list of Philippine Festivals – Provincial & Regional Highlights
| Region | Province/City | Festival Name | Dates | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luzon | Quezon | Pahiyas Festival | May 15 | House decorations, harvest thanksgiving |
| Luzon | Bulacan | Pulilan Carabao Festival | May 13–15 | Ritual kneeling of carabaos, folk dance |
| Luzon | Ilocos Sur | Garlic Festival, Viva Vigan Arts | Early May | Culinary events, heritage arts |
| Luzon | Nueva Ecija | Araquio Festival | May 3–4 | Folk war re-enactment |
| Visayas | Guimaras | Manggahan Festival | May 15–22 | Mango harvest celebration |
| Visayas | Bohol | Panag-Batang Festival | May 30–31 | Civic performances |
| Visayas | Masbate | Isla Rancho Festival | May 12–17 | Livestock and agriculture fair |
| Mindanao | Davao Oriental | Davao Gulf Regatta | May 1–4 | Banca races |
| Mindanao | Albay | Magayon, Sarung Banggi, Layag | May month | Volcano festivals, lantern parades, sea procession |
| Mindanao | Sorsogon | Butanding Festival | May 17–24 | Whale shark events |
| Mindanao | Misamis Oriental | Lubi-Lubi Festival | May 22 | Coconut celebration |
| Mindanao | Zamboanga del Norte | P’gsalabuk Festival | April–May | Cultural unity showcase |
| Mindanao | Nueva Vizcaya | Ammungan Festival | May 19–24 | Indigenous dance |
Travel Recommendations & Tips
- Secure accommodation early in towns like Lucban, Guimaras, and Davao Oriental—festivals attract crowds fast.
- Dress for the weather: lightweight attire with sun and rain protection is ideal.
- Use regional hubs: Fly into Manila for Luzon events; Iloilo or Cebu for Visayas; Davao or Cagayan de Oro for Mindanao.
- Respect local customs: many festivals honor saints or indigenous traditions, so modest and respectful behavior is essential.
- Combine festivals regionally: pairing Pahiyas with Pulilan (Luzon), Manggahan with Panag-Batang (Visayas), or Magayon with Lubi-Lubi (Mindanao) makes for rich cultural loops.
Conclusion
The List of Philippine Festivals in May provides a mosaic of Filipino heritage—agricultural feasts, religious devotion, tribal narratives, and coastal pride. Whether you’re chasing mango celebrations in the Visayas or volcano parades in Mindanao, each fiesta invites you to share in local traditions, colorful displays, and heartfelt warmth.
Let this guide be your cultural compass, pointing you to vibrant experiences from province to province. May is not just a month—it’s a living canvas of Filipino celebration. Let the festivals begin!