Bohol Festivals – List of Bohol Festivities for the Year

Bohol is full of surprises, from the Tarsier to the Loboc River to the Adventure and mystery of the Chocolate hills.. Here are other reasons to visit bohol! Bohol Festivals and Fiestas for the Year!

• Sandugo Festival (July 1-31)

This annual festival of the province commemorates the sandugo or blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi. The highlights of the festival are agro-industrial fair, cultural and historical showcase, sports events, a beauty pageant, balls and dances, entertainment shows, and streetdancing which culminates with the re-enactment of the blood compact or Sandugo between Datu Sikatuna and Don Miguel López de Legazpi.

• Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan or TBTK

“A summons for all Boholanos from all over the world to gather and the name for such a grand event” This gathering of Boholanos from all over the world coincides with the Sandugo Celebration in July.

• Tagbilaran City Fiesta (May 1).

The feast of Saint Joseph, patron saint of Tagbilaran City, starts the month-long fiestas in Bohol. It is one of the most exciting and fun-filled occasions of the year. During the novena, or nine days before the day itself, nightly entertaining activities are held, such as the “Mutya sa Tagbilaran” beauty pageant, literary musical shows, concerts, dramas and stage plays, and many more.

• Bohol Town Fiestas – Month of May

This is when a fiesta is celebrated by a town or a barrio each day for the whole month of May in honor of its patron saint. Fiestas are characterized by plenty of food and merriment. This is also the time for family reunions when family members from places far and near gather to keep in touch with loved ones.

• Bolibong Kingking Festival (May 23-24).

This is a music and dance festivity depicting the history, folklore, and traditions of the Loboc, Bohol. Bolibong Kingking is a term applied to the drums and gongs and their rhythm used to accompany the supplication dance ritual in front of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the 2nd Patron of Loboc, Bohol.

• Pana-ad sa Loboc (Holy Thursday & Good Friday).

In observance of the Semana Santa or Holy Week, the Lobocanons read the “Pasyon” and do a penitential procession through the way of the cross that culminates at “Cruz Daku,” a huge cross 80 feet in height which is on top of the highest hill of Loboc where one can view the neighboring towns, including Tagbilaran City.

• Sambat Mascara y Regatta Festival (1st Saturday of December).

The festival is celebrated in honor of Loay town’s second patron, St. Francis Xavier. Colorful activities are lined up, like the agro-industrial fair, group masked street dancing, drum and bugle competition, boat racing along the river, and many more. The event is highlighted by a fluvial parade of the image along the river.

• Suroy sa Musikero (December 25 – February 2).

This is when the town musicians of Loboc cover daily the assigned areas to partake of the food served by the host and to play music to the tune of Kuradang, Dalaga sa Baybayon, and others. This is also the period when carolers render Christmas songs to the families of the host area.

• Ubi Festival (January).

For almost half a millennium, the ubi tuber has been venerated by the Boholanos. To this day, the respect for the plant is still stronger than ever. The festival institutionalizes the ubi crop as the agro-historical geographical-religious symbol of Bohol, giving the ubi the recognition it rightfully deserves in the market. The festival features an exhibit, ubi contest, an agri-business investment opportunities seminar, and a cultural show.

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