Bohol is known for the Chocolate Hills, white-sand beaches, waterfalls and small island communities. But beyond its natural attractions, the province also has a busy calendar of cultural celebrations, religious fiestas and sporting events.
The best festivals in Bohol offer a closer look at the island’s history, food, music and local traditions. Some take over an entire town for several days, while others bring communities together through street dancing, live performances, boat races and shared meals.
Festival dates and programmes can change slightly from year to year, so it is always worth checking the latest announcement before planning your trip.
Photo by Dafna Tal
1. Ubi Festival
When: January
Where: Tagbilaran City
The Ubi Festival celebrates one of Bohol’s most important crops: the purple yam, locally known as ubi. It is more than a popular ingredient. In Bohol, ubi has strong agricultural, historical and cultural significance.
The festival usually includes agricultural exhibitions, cooking competitions, local products and cultural performances. Visitors can try different ubi-based foods, from traditional sweets and pastries to more modern creations.
This is one of the best festivals in Bohol for travellers interested in local food and farming traditions. It also supports farmers and small businesses from around the province.
2. Saulog Tagbilaran
When: March to early May
Where: Tagbilaran City
Saulog Tagbilaran is the main annual celebration of Bohol’s capital. The programme normally begins in March and continues through April and the city fiesta on May 1.
Events can include street dancing, sports competitions, food bazaars, concerts, pageants and cultural performances. One of the main highlights is the street dancing and ritual showdown, with colourful costumes and performances representing the city’s communities.
Saulog also celebrates Tagbilaran’s traditions, music, food and art. The precise schedule changes each year, but most of the main performances are usually held in April.
3. Bohol Fiestas
When: Throughout May
Where: Across Bohol
May is widely considered fiesta season in Bohol. Throughout the month, different towns and barangays celebrate the feast days of their patron saints.
These local fiestas are centred on family gatherings, religious services, music and generous meals. Visitors may find decorated streets, small fairs, live entertainment and community activities taking place in different parts of the province.
Unlike a single organised festival, Bohol’s May fiestas are a province-wide tradition. They offer an opportunity to experience local hospitality and see how celebrations differ from one town to another.
4. Tanda Festival
When: Usually May 6–15
Where: Tubigon
The Tanda Festival is held in Tubigon in honour of Saint Isidore the Farmer. The word tanda is a local term associated with making a short visit, reflecting Tubigon’s history as an active trading and transport town.
The programme traditionally includes the Bulong-Imang street dancing competition, an agricultural and technology fair, beauty pageants, music and community competitions.
The agricultural fair is an important part of the celebration, displaying products from Tubigon’s farms, mountains and coastal communities.
5. Bolibong Kingking Festival
When: May 23–24
Where: Loboc
The Bolibong Kingking Festival is a religious and musical celebration held in Loboc. Its unusual name comes from the sounds created by drums, gongs and other instruments played during the festivities.
Performances combine rhythmic music with a symbolic dance honouring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration reflects Loboc’s religious traditions, folklore and long connection to music.
Loboc is already known for its river and musical heritage, making this a good event to combine with a countryside trip through Bohol.
6. Katigbawan Festival
When: Usually June 17–24
Where: Catigbian
Katigbawan is a week-long festival celebrating the municipality of Catigbian and its rural traditions. It has a more local character than some of Bohol’s larger festivals.
Traditional activities have included agricultural fairs, carabao racing, sports, community contests and the search for Miss Katigbawan. The programme highlights the farming culture and everyday life of the area.
Travellers looking to explore beyond Panglao and Tagbilaran may find Katigbawan particularly interesting. It provides a different view of Bohol, away from its main tourism centres.
7. Sandugo sa Bohol
When: July, with some events continuing into August
Where: Mainly Tagbilaran City and locations across Bohol
Sandugo is the province’s largest and best-known cultural celebration. It commemorates the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565.
The festival includes cultural shows, exhibitions, pageants, food events, sports and historical presentations. Its centrepiece is the Sandugo Street Dancing and Grand Showdown, featuring large groups of dancers from different Bohol municipalities.
The performances use music, elaborate costumes and theatrical storytelling to represent Boholano history and culture. For travellers choosing between the many festivals in Bohol, Sandugo is usually the largest and most accessible option.
8. Hudyaka sa Panglao
When: Around August 28
Where: Panglao
Hudyaka sa Panglao brings together the municipality’s barangays for several days of music, dancing and community celebrations.
The festival traditionally takes place around the town’s annual feast and includes performances near the parish church. Local groups prepare dances and presentations, creating a lively period in Panglao beyond its beaches, restaurants and island-hopping tours.
This is one of the most convenient annual events for travellers staying on Panglao Island, as it can easily be combined with a beach holiday or a wider Bohol itinerary.
9. Bohol International Marathon
When: Usually in August
Where: Panglao
The Bohol International Marathon adds a major sporting event to the island’s cultural calendar. It attracts local and international runners for several race categories, usually including a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometre race and five-kilometre fun run.
The race is held on Panglao, allowing participants to combine the event with time at the beach, countryside tours and island activities. The 2026 marathon is scheduled for August 30, although future dates should always be confirmed with the organisers.
10. Sambat Mascara y Regatta Festival
When: First Saturday of December
Where: Loay
Sambat Mascara y Regatta is a colourful December celebration in Loay, held in honour of Saint Francis Xavier.
The programme traditionally features masked street dancing, music, agricultural exhibitions and boat races along the river. A fluvial procession is another central part of the festival, reflecting the town’s close relationship with its waterways.
The combination of decorated boats, masks and riverside activities makes it one of the most visually distinctive festivals in Bohol.
When Is the Best Time to Experience Festivals in Bohol?
May to August is the busiest period for festivals and annual events. May brings local fiestas throughout the province, while July is dominated by the Sandugo celebration. August is a particularly good month for visitors staying in Panglao, with Hudyaka sa Panglao and the Bohol International Marathon taking place around the same period.
January and December offer quieter alternatives. The Ubi Festival provides a taste of Bohol’s agricultural culture at the beginning of the year, while December brings Christmas celebrations and the Sambat Mascara y Regatta Festival.
Photo by James Doloritos
Where to Stay During Bohol’s Festivals
Located in Panglao, Abraham Bohol is a convenient base for travellers visiting the island during festival season. Guests can choose between private and shared rooms, relax by one of the two swimming pools and join weekly activities such as boodle fight nights, karaoke, live music and other social events. Its location also makes it easy to combine local celebrations with beach days, island tours and trips to Bohol’s main attractions.
Information about different events and festivals on the officiel Bohol Tourism Bureau Website >>
