Dumaguete Festivals - Philippines

Dumaguete festivals attract many foreigners and local travelers since these depict the culture of early people who lived in the city. These festivals feature special events and presentations that are very interesting, entertaining, and enjoyable. Some of the famous fiestas that people like to observe in the area are Sandurot Festival, Santa Cruzan Fiesta, and Buglasan Festival. Aside from these, everyone can enjoy observing and participating in Kabulakan Fiesta, Feast of Santa Catalina of Alexandria, and Pinaskuhan Sayawit.

Sandurot Festival

One of the most awaited and popular celebrations in Dumaguete, Philippines is Sandurot Festival. This festival is celebrated along with the charter day of the city from the 21st day until the 25th day of November. Tourists who like to know the history of the area should observe this festival because it depicts the way of life of early individuals who lived in the city. For the entertainment of residents and tourists who usually observe the event, it features interesting dance presentations and street dance competitions.

Santa Cruzan Fiesta

Santa Cruzan Fiesta is another attractive Dumaguete festival that local tourists and foreigners can watch in the city. This event is held during the month of May and many popular entertainment personalities in the Philippines participate in this celebration. It features cultural presentations that depict the religious events that contributed a lot to the history of the place. The highlight of this celebration is a special parade participated by alluring women who live in the city.

Buglasan Festival

Considered as the most famous Dumaguete festival, Buglasan is usually held in the second and third weeks of October. At the first day of the celebration, tourists can have a look at the different local handicrafts and treats available at Buglasan booths. They can also watch enjoyable and entertaining cultural presentations. To showcase the talents of the people in the city, this event features song and dance competitions. Another highlight in this celebration is the popular and exciting chess competition. Other events that people can observe at Buglasan Festival are cheerdance, pyrotechnics, and folk dance contests.

Kabulakan Fiesta

Also known as Legend of Flowers, Kabulakan Fiesta is an annual Dumaguete festival that is commonly celebrated from the 16th day to 25th day of May. At the opening day, people can watch different events like a landscaping contest, a container gardening competition, and a garden show. As the other fiestas celebrated in the city, people can observe a parade that features famous local entertainment personalities. Highlights of this event include a flower arrangement contest, a fashion show, and a ballroom dancing competition.

Feast of Santa Catalina of Alexandria

Held every 26th day of November, Feast of Santa Catalina of Alexandria is also popular to the residents of Dumaguete, Philippines as the Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. This fiesta is celebrated to hail the patron saint of the city, Santa Catalina de Alexandria. Some of the main events in this celebration are food festivals, an attractive parade, and a procession participated by the leaders of Catholic churches in the city. Additionally, it also features a beauty pageant, as well as a bazaar that displays the local delicacies in the city.

Pinaskuhan Sayawit

Another annual Dumaguete festival that attract tourists in the city, Pinaskuhan Sayawit is celebrated from the 13th day of December until the 1st day of January. The highlights of this celebration include a Christmas lantern making competition, as well as a dance and song contest. To promote local products, participants in the Christmas lantern making competition use native materials. To attract residents to join in the competitions, the city government usually gives cash prizes ranging from 40,000 pesos to 60,000 pesos.