Holidays

Regular holiday

January 1 – New Year’s Day
March or April – Holy Week (Semana Santa)
April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan, and Corregidor Day)
May 1 – Labor Day
June 12 – Independence Day
August - National Heroes Day
November 30 – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 30 – Rizal Day

Nationwide holiday

August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 to November 2 – Day of the Dead
December 31 – New Year’s Eve

Native Holiday

January 9 – The Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo, and Manila
Third Sunday of January – The Fiesta del Santo Niño de Cebu (Festival of the Child Jesus of Cebu), Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
Last Sunday of January – The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo.
March or April – Semana Santa (Holy Week).
May - Flores de Mayo. A festival celebrated by farmers as they welcome the fertile season. Celebrations around towns showcase crops, food, and delicacies. One of the most celebrated festivity is the “Pahiyas”, a colorful festival in Lucban, Quezon where houses are decorated mainly with dried rice papers in different shapes, and colors. Crops also accentuate these houses in artistic shapes, and styles.
Third Saturday and Sunday of September – The Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. During the festivities, people attend church services, followed by parades on the streets, fireworks, and feasting. The Peñafrancia Festival is also celebrated by a fluvial procession in the Bicol River.
October 31 to November 2 – “Araw ng mga Patay”, “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day). Also known as “Undas”. During All Saints, and Souls Day, friends, and families visit the cemeteries, and pay homage to their dearly departed. The cemetery becomes a party atmosphere, rather than a solemn celebration.
December 24 – Noche Buena (Christmas Eve).
December 25 – Araw ng Pasko, Navidad (Christmas).
January 1 – Bagong Taon, Año Nuevo (New Year).