NOTE: Updated with Proclamation 84: DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2011
JANUARY 2011
Best Time to Climb Mt. Pinatubo!
December 31 – January 2 | 3-Day Weekend!
1 NEW YEAR’S DAY | Saturday | Solemnity of Mary Mother of God | HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
9 FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE | Sunday | Quiapo, Manila
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.
15 PASUNGAY FESTIVAL 2011 | Saturday | San Joaquin, Iloilo
One of the thrilling bull fighting festival as a culminating event of the Bayluhay Festival which celebrates the arrival of the 10 datus from Malay in the 13th century.
15-16 ATI-ATIHAN 2011 | Kalibo, Aklan
Commemorates the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Nino.
15-16 SINULOG 2011 | Cebu City
Cebu’s biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Sto. Niño
16 or 23 CARACOL 2011 | Makati City
This is Makati City’s version of the Mardi Gras conceptualized in 1986
22-23 DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2011 | Iloilo City
Street dancing characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing & chanting all day and night.
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN BOSCO
Celebration of the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth who founded the Salesian Society.
FEBRUARY 2011
The Love Month!
2 FEAST OF NUESTRA SENORA DE LA CANDELARIA or “OUR LADY OF CANDLES.” | Jaro, Iloilo
Western Visayas celebrates the Patroness of their region.
3 CHINESE NEW YEAR – THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT | Binondo, Manila
The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese New Year with pomp & color through a dragon dance.
10-13 HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA | Clark, Angeles, Pampanga
Watch the awesome hot air balloons fly out as the sun rises in the horizon.
14 HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY! | Monday
Filipino lover’s most romantic event of the year!
12-15 AURORA SURFING COMPETITION 2011 | Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
The biggest surfing competition in Aurora, Quezon and the best time to go to the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines – Baler, Aurora
February 25 – 27 | 3-Day Long Weekend (for schools only)!
25 EDSA REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY | Friday | People Power Revolution
Commemorates the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that Filipinos came to known for.
26 PANAGBENGA – BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL 2011 | Baguio City
Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, it will be the 10th holding of this annual event which will showcase the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers.
MARCH 2011
Best Time to go watch and shoot the awesome Manila sunset!
Start of the Donsol Season in Bicol!
9 ASH WEDNESDAY | Philippines
The First Day of Lenten Season in the Philippines
26 EARTH HOUR 2011 | Philippines | 8.30pm-9.30pm
Cities and towns all over the world will switch off their lights for one hour—EARTH HOUR—sending a powerful global message that it is possible to take action on global warming.
APRIL 2011
The Peak Time in Boracay.
9 BATAAN DAY (ARAW NG KAGITINGAN) | Saturday
Araw ng Kagitingan
18-24 HOLY WEEK! | Philippines
Philippines’ most sacred week!
April 21-24 | 4-Day Weekend!
21 HOLY THURSDAY!
Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
22 GOOD FRIDAY!
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
22 MORIONES FESTIVAL | Marinduque
Re-enact the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ.
22 EARTH DAY 2011 | Philippines
A day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment
22 Cutud Cruxificions | Pampanga
The old tradition of dramatizing the passion and death of Jesus Christ (called Via Crusis) was played out on the streets leading to the crucifixion site before the 1pm Crucifixion.
24 EASTER SUNDAY
Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
MAY 2011
National-wide celebration of Flores de Mayo / Santacruzan.
1 LABOR DAY | Sunday
National Labor Day!
1 FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY | Sunday | Plenary Indulgence for Divine Mercy Sunday
The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!
7-8 CARAMOAN, FIESTA 2011 | Caramoan, Camarines Sur
Feast of St. Michael
8 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! | Sunday
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome mothers!
15 PAHIYAS 2011 | Sunday | Lucban, Quezon
An annual celebration held to usher in a bountiful harvest and smashing good times.
17-19 OBANDO FERTILITY RITES 2011 | Tuesday-Thursday | Obando, Bulacan
Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child.
28 NATIONAL FLAG DAY | Manila
Start of the designated flag days where all government offices, business establishments, and private homes are also encouraged to display the flag.
JUNE 2011
Time to show your love for the Philippines by putting a flag on your home, car, and shirts.
12 PHILIPPINE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY | Sunday
Commemorates the Independence Day of the Philippines from the Spaniards
19 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome fathers!
19 150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal!
(proposed legislation to declare a working holiday)
27-28 PINTADOS/ KASADYAAN FESTIVAL 2011 | Tacloban, Leyte
JULY 2011
Start of the Rainy Season in the Philippines.
11 OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE 11/11/11
23-24 BOHOL SANDUGO FESTIVAL 2011 | Tagbilaran, Bohol
This festival commemorates the treaty of friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi, representing the king of Spain.
26 FEAST DAY OF SAINT ANNE
Celebration of the feast day of the Mother of Mama Mary
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
Celebration of the feast day of the Father General of the Jesuits. A 30-day retreat follows the celebration.
AUGUST 2011
The Best Time to go on a wild river ride.
14 UGU BIGYAN’s BIRTHDAY SALE | Sunday | Tiaong, Quezon
48% Discount on Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery (discount is equivalent to his age)
15 ASSUMPTION OF MOTHER MARY INTO HEAVEN | Monday
21 NINOY AQUINO DAY | Sunday
Commemorating the Death of Ninoy Aquino
20-21 KADAYAWAN SA DABAW 2011 | Davao City
This festival gives thanks to the bounty of fruits and flowers as the waling-waling orchid blooms.
August 27-29 | 3-Day Weekend!
29 NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY | MONDAY
Commemorates the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” by Filipino revolutionaries called the Katipunan
29 OLD SWISS INN ANNUAL PRICE ROLL BACK | MONDAY
During Old Swiss inn’s Anniversary, the prices are rolled back to the prices when it opened in 1940’s. The best wasy to get a table during the anniversary is to collect 12 stamps from their Gruzi mileage Card.
31 EID’L FITR | WEDNESDAY
A Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. (Calculated date for 2011 pending proclamation).
SEPTEMBER 2011
The Best Time to go to Divisoria for Christmas shopping and preparations.
8 MOTHER MARY’S BIRTHDAY | Thursday
7-11 26th NEGROS TRADE FAIR!| Manila
The longest running trade fair of the best food, furniture, jewelries and products from the Negros region. Foodies should not miss this annual event 🙂
11 HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY!
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome grandparents!
18 PENAFRANCIA VIVA LA VIRGEN 2011 | Naga City
Bicol Region’s biggest celebration is highlighted by a fluvial parade of Lady of Penafrancia carried through the river aglow with floating candles.
26-30 CLOUD 9 INTERNATIONAL SURFING COMPETITION 2011 | Siargao
The biggest international surfing competition in the Philippines held in Cloud 9, Siargao
28- Oct. 2 – 26th NEGROS TRADE FAIR!| Manila
The longest running trade fair of the best food, furniture, jewelries and products from the Negros region. Foodies should not miss this annual event 🙂
OCTOBER 2011
Surfing Season in the Philippines.
1 THE FEAST OF ST. THERESE OF CHILD JESUS
Feast of Saint Therese of the Little Flower.
15-16 MASKARA FESTIVAL 2011 | Bacolod
The festival that made Bacolod famous began as an event to inspire the locals to face the hard times with a smiling face, thus masks with smiling faces are worn by revelers who join the parade.
16 WORLD BREAD DAY
Celebration of the World Bread Day.
15-16 LANSONES FESTIVAL 2011 | Camiguin
A grand celebration of the lanzones fruit in the island of Camiguin.
18-20 MAJESTIC SURFING COMPETITION 2011 | Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes
The biggest surfing competition in Bicol and the best time to catch the Majestic Wave in Puraran
26-30 DIWALI FESTIVAL | The Festival of Lights
Indian New Year Festival
NOVEMBER 2011
Halloween Parties.
Oct. 29 – November 1 | 4-Day Weekend!
(October 31 is not a holiday so you have to file your Vacation Leave for this date)
1 ALL SAINT’S DAY | Tuesday
2 ALL SOUL’S DAY | Wednesday
6 EIDUL ADHA | Sunday
Muslim Holiday celebrating Abraham’s obedience when he was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. (calculated date for 2011 pending proclamation)
12 45th Days with the Lord Anniversary Mass | Saturday Night
Dazers Mass celebration of the founding of the Days with the Lord. Basta Ikaw, Lord!
22-23 HIGANTES FESTIVAL 2011 | Tuesday-Wednesday | Angono, Rizal
Male devotees carry the image of San Clemente in a procession that features parehadoras, clad in colorful garb and wooden shoes, and carrying boat paddles and higantes (giants) 10 feet tall papier mache puppets.
23-27 8th MAHARLIKA SUNRISE FESTIVAL | Wednesday-Sunday | Roving Festival
The Sunrise Festival is a celebration of arts for service and blessedness held annually in the different regions of Maharlika (Philippines).
24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!
26-27 KERYGMA CONFERENCE 2011 | Manila | Kerygma Conference
The Biggest Catholic Charismatic Event in the Country
30 BONIFACIO DAY | Wednesday
DECEMBER 2011
Christmas Season in the Philippines.
4 ANNUAL CULTURAL TOUR OF NEGROS | Saturday | Bacolod
Longest running cultural tour in the country by Ramon H. Hofileña.
8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION | Tuesday | HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
11 ANNUAL CULTURAL TOUR OF NEGROS | Saturday | Bacolod
Longest running cultural tour in the country by Ramon H. Hofileña.
18 GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL 2011 | San Fernando, Pampanga
A Show-Off of Kapampangan Pride culminated with a display of Giant Lanterns measuring 18 feet in diameter.
16 SIMBANG GABI
Start of early morning vigil 9 days before Christmas
16 OBLATION RUN | Friday | University of the Philippines
The annual naked run of the full-pledge members of Alpha Phi Omega society is a tradition that started in 1977 to protest the banning of the movie, “Hubad na Bayani,” which depicted human rights abuses in the martial law era. The date honors their international founding day on December 16th, 1925.
25 CHRISTMAS DAY | Sunday | Holy Day of Obligation
Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ
December 30 – January 1 | 3-Day Weekend!
30 RIZAL DAY | Friday
Commemorating the Death of Jose Rizal
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Call or Text Me: +63917 5683-627 (LOVE-OAP)
Follow Me 
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
Youtube
P.S. Say goodbye to holiday economics 🙁
Originally posted on October 13, 2010.
I dont agree with the Masbate Rodeo… not good for tourism….
Why Andre? I would like to know so that I can decide to remove it from the calendar..,
Sent from Mobile
Cruelty to animals, for sport, for fun, not good in my book.
Hi Anton,
I think Pnoy does not observe the long weekends anymore, does he? The one when a holiday falls on a weekend, Monday becomes a holiday?
I never know there’s a National Flag Day.
This is a very good guide by the way. Thanks for sharing.
Will the holiday economics enacted by the former president still be applicable? If not, fewer long weekends next year. Bad for the tourism, eh?
I so love you for posting this…. I am committed to starting my adventure at 25… Hahaha! Beginning with your list of events. 😉
yes, i think it’s better to wait for the malacanang proclamation of 2011 holidays before posting them here.
holidays not only mean a day off from work but actually mean business adjustments for some people. that’s why i think it’s better to be sure about the holidays before announcing them.
Its nice to go back to Philippines specially when you see theres a lot of holidays ang festivals! Nakakainggit!
i see lots of catholic holidays, how about muslim ones?
We have a Thanksgiving day? Is that the one Americans celebrate? I didn’t know Filipinos followed that. FYI, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving every second Monday of October.
With a lot of families having relatives in the US, Filipinos are more aware now of Thanksgiving Day. You will be surprised to know that some people are following it. It is still predominantly an American tradition.
Anton
Well, I considered that like the end of Ramadan. Not sure how it is predicted because it seems you cannot get the date 1 year in advance 🙁 If anyone knows let me know.
Hi Anton. If I am not mistaken, the Dinagyang Festival is celebrated every 3rd sat and sun of January. For 2011, it’s on the 22nd, Sat (Kasadyahan) and 23rd, Sun (Dinagyang tribes compete) http://www.dinagyangsailoilo.com/event/event.htm
Yes that is correct! I thought I changed it na… Thanks for this correction 🙂
What about the Makati Day Parade, sometime end of May or June. They close down the stretch of Ayala Avenue. Businesses, organizations and barangays put up floats. Watched it a couple of times already and it always looks fun. Apologies for those who hate the traffic:) Makati also has Caracol, similar to mardi gras or ati-atihan festival.
UP Diliman has their annual Christmas lantern parade every December. Nothing beats the creativity of the students there. Really worth watching. The APO Oblation run is also a unique event, even foreign journalists cover.
I don’t know the dates but it would be good to find out we have something in the Metro and us citi dwellers dont have to go so far.
Thanks for this tip! I've added the dates of the Oblation run and Caracol Fiesta of Makati. I don't plan to add the foundation day of the cities because they change due to political considerations.
Thank You so much Anton for the effort! Now I know how and when to spend my VL’s and SL’s! hahahahaha
You're welcome!
Sent from Mobile
Preparing for the next year way way ahead huh! That’s a good thing so that we’ll know to plan in advance and “hopefully” able to travel as many as we want. I’m excited for the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo!
Why is Oct 29, 2011 considered a holiday? (for the 5-day weekend)
could you possibly add foodie events like food festivals, expos etc? Bakery Fair 2011 (only every 2 years so far), will be on feb 18-20 @WTC. World Bread Day is October 16, annually.
Hi Becky,
thanks for the inputs. Well, the special non-working holidays are the ones that are not sure like People Power and Ninoy Aquino. The rest should be fine.
I agree, I'm waiting when will Malacanang announce the 2011 holidays. I'll update this post on an ongoing basis.
Anton
I think he still does but not on the special non-working holiday like People Power and Ninoy Aquino.
the start and end of ramadhan cannot be determined this far in advance… and it also differs from country to country, depending on the moon…
Hi Anton,
I love your website and kudos to you for promoting (so wonderfully) the beautiful places in our country.
I have balikbayan guests arriving in January and we would like to take them to Batanes. Fundacion Pacita looks really beautiful. Is that the best place to stay in at Batanes? Can we go around the islands from there? They can only give 3 nights/4 days for this Batanes trip. Will that be enough?
Will appreciate your advise on this as i haven’t been to Batanes myself and my guests are entrusting me to make the arrangements.
Chari
Hi Chari
You can email me directly. Unfortunately my Batanes guide is not yet ready but I can help you via email for now.
Fundacion Pacita is one of the best boutique hotels in the country today! 3d/4n is actually enough. How many are they ?
Anton
Yes there is a chance there won't be a holiday but you can save a VL for the Oct. 29th to get a 5-day weekend.
Anton
What happens on Bakery Fair, Kayenne? Also on World Bread Day, I saw the posters but what exactly do we get out of the World Bread Day celebration?
I like to put the Foodie events in the calendar but we would like to have the meaningful ones that can benefit the foodies in general.
I love your blog. It’s great to see the positive things about the Philippines — from great places to visit to wonderful food to savor. Thanks for sharing all your useful information — especially this calendar of events. Will definitely be back to read more of your posts.
Wow, really nice blog about Manila ! very informative !
My name is Alexandra and I’m managing a meta-blog about travel and activities in South East Asia: http://www.weekend.com.sg/
I read some of your articles carefully and your content can be really useful for my readers looking for travel, tips and activities in Manila ! Your blog is just perfect for that !
In consequence, I decided to select your blog !
I would like to know if you would be interested to appear on my web portal? It will increase your visibility on internet, increase your visits, and provide good information for my users.
Send me an email at greenty.com@gmail.com and I will try to answer within 24h.
Good job again !
Alexandra
Hi Anton,
Great post! 🙂
What about the Fiesta Pilar of Zamboanga City which is held in October? Fiesta is on October 12 but the celebration starts October 1 with activities like a Regatta, street dancing, designing the Mascota competition, and other fun activities. This year, I was told they had a sardine festival. Trip na trip was there this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UGrqT0ew88.
Thanks Anton.
Thanks Miguel for this comment 🙂
Anton you write well. I haven’t seen all of your blogs but I will…the feeling I get is that I’ve known you for so long. This calendar is such a big help…Hope you continue to write and I will agree it’s an awesome country, the Philippines…you’ve shown me how to use the third eye.
hi! would like to know if the schedule for sandugo is already final.
thanks!
It’s based on the Lunar Calendar so it has to be based on the sighting of the moon. Sometimes calculated or by actually moonsighting. Some follow Mecca (Saudi Arabia ) sighting (like in the Philippines) and some follow local moon sighting (like some not all in the US).
Basically it goes back 10-11 days every year. For 2010 it was Sept.10th so more than likely it will be on August 31st for 2011 but we will surely know around the 30th of August next year hehehe, insha’allah.
Bagong Taon! Bagong Pilpinas! Bagong Pag-asa!
Hi – I love your posts! Can you perhaps do an entry on things to do during new year’s eve in Manila? Places to go, restaurants, fireworks?
I'm working on that article and verifying with all my contacts 🙂 thanks so much!
Hi Anton,
Awesome! This is of great value to people in HR and those involved in employee engagement. =)
Is there a printer-friendly version? Or are you coming up with an actual printed calendar? Maybe with a featured resto for us to try out per month with some discounts? wink wink
Shine on!
AyA
that would be great!
hello anton, hopefully the philippines will have our own special day for thanks giving like what they do in the US.
Yes, people are starting to celebrate it. Not sure if it will really be declared official but this year, it would be a big marketing event.
Kindly edit: it should be “3-day weekend” and not 3 Days Weekend.