5 Festivals in Davao City You Don’t Want to Miss

Original Photo by Jeff Pioquinto

Davao, like many other cities in the Philippines, is a multi-cultural society. Different ethnic groups celebrate their distinctive festivals, thus, the many exciting events and festivities that take place throughout the year.  

Araw ng Dabaw

March 10-16

Araw ng Dabaw, also known as Davao City Foundation Day, is a week-long celebration that culminates every 16th of March. It is marked with a socio-civic and military parade, sports competitions, and fireworks.

Kadayawan Festival

Every 3rd week of August

Observed every third week of August, Kadayawan Festival is Davao City’s biggest and grandest festival. The term “Kadayawan” is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw”, a greeting used to explain a thing that is good, valuable, superior, or beautiful. It is a week-long celebration and thanksgiving for nature’s harvest. During this time, locals and tourists flock the streets of the city to witness major events such as the Indak-Indak sa Dalan and Floral Float Parade.

Pasko Fiesta sa Davao

Entire month of December

Filipinos are known to celebrate the longest Christmas holiday season in the world, and Davao is no different. For an entire month, the city beats with exciting festive and competitive Christmas activities for Pasko Fiesta sa Davao. During this season, the city is filled with colorful lightings and array of decorations. There’s also a series of competitive performances to showcase the community’s creativity and talents while keeping Christmas traditions alive.

Chinese New Year Festival

Based on the Lunar calendar

Created under Executive Order No. 01, series of 2009, the Davao Chinese New Year festival celebrates the harmonious relations of the locals with the city’s Chinese community. It promotes Davao’s Chinatown as one of the major historical, economic and cultural centers of the city.

Highlights of the festival include a film showing, exhibits, motorcade, temple visits, nightly entertainment and the Chinatown Night Market.

Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

15th day of the 8th month in the Lunar Calendar

This is the second most important festival for the Chinese community, after the Chinese New Year. It is celebrated in the middle of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, at a time when the moon is believed to be in its fullest and roundest.

In Chinese culture, the full moon symbolizes wholeness and togetherness. Main celebrations involve moongazing, eating moon cakes together, and making Chinese Moon Festival lanterns.

Other Festivals in the Davao Region

Here’s a full list of festivals in cities and municipalities around Davao City:

• Araw ng Dabaw (March 10-16)
• Kadayawan sa Dabaw (3rd week of August)
• Kaputian Parochial Fiesta (IGaCos – January 15) –
• Kasinatian Festival (Toril – October 7)
• IGaCoS Festival (IGaCos – March 5 -7)
• Caracoles Festival (IGaCos – April 30)
• Pangapog Festival (IGaCos – 1st Week of August)
• Babak Fiesta (IGaCos – September 15)
• Peñaplata Fiesta (IGaCos – December 8)
• Musikahan (Tagum – March 7)
• Kuradang sa Dalan (Panabo – March 31)
• Palay Festival (Carmen – June 18)
• Ugsod – ugsod Festival (June 18)
• Araw ng Davao del Norte (July 1)
• Banana Festival (Kapalong 1st Week of August)
• Banana Festival (Panabo – March 31)
• Durian Festival (Tagum City – August to September)
• Sinawug Festival (Asuncion, Davao del Norte – September 19)
• Kalibulongan Festival (Talaingod October 18)
• Andaon tu Dibabawon Festival (Kapalong – Last week of October)
• Feast of Christ the King (Tagum – 2nd to the Last Sunday of November)
• Saulogan Festival (Digos – January 15)
• Kapyaan Festival (Jose Abad Santos – February)
• Pista sa Kinaiyahan (Sta. Cruz – April 25-28)
• Dorong Festival (Kapatagan – June 14-19)
• Provincial Charter Anniversary (July 1)
• Padigosan Festival (Digos – September 8)
• Araw ng Sta. Cruz (Sta. Cruz – 1st Week of October)
• Mango Fiesta (San Isidro – June 18)
• LUBMAHUMA Festival (Provincial July 1)
• Fish Festival (Gov. Generoso – August 1)
• Niyog-Niyogan festival (Manay – October 25)
• Kagang-Kagang Festival (Caraga – October 25)
• Balyan Festival (Baganga – October 25)
• Sambuokan Festival (Mati – October 25)
• Anibina Festival (Compostela Valley – March 1-8)
• Maragusan Eco-Expo (Maragusan, ComVal – Last Week of April)
• Kaimunan Festival (Tagum – June 17)
• Sal-Lupuyon (Compostela Valley – June 12 – 18)
• Simballay Festival (Nabunturan – July 21)
• Kariyawan (Monkayo – Sept. 4)
• P’yagsawitan (Maragusan – 3rd Week of November)