If you’re planning to experience a traditional town fiesta in Capiz this September, Dao is another municipality worth putting on your list.
The Dao Town Fiesta 2026, better known through its annual Pasalamat Festival, is celebrated from September 20 to 22 in honor of the town’s patron saint, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva or St. Thomas of Villanova.
While some Philippine festivals are built around a harvest, local product, or historical event, Dao’s celebration has a very simple and meaningful theme: thanksgiving.
“Pasalamat” means giving thanks, and that’s really at the heart of the celebration. It’s a time when Daonhons come together to thank God for blessings received throughout the year while celebrating the culture, faith, history, and sense of community that make Dao their home.
Here’s everything we know about the Dao Fiesta and Pasalamat Festival 2026, including the dates, meaning of the celebration, patron saint, historic church, possible activities, and some useful information if you’re planning a trip to Capiz.
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Dao Fiesta 2026 Quick Facts
Here are the important details to remember:
- Festival: Pasalamat Festival
- Celebration: Dao Town Fiesta
- Location: Dao, Capiz
- Dates: September 20–22, 2026
- Main feast day: September 22
- Patron saint: Sto. Tomas de Villanueva / St. Thomas of Villanova
- Main religious venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Church
- Festival theme: Thanksgiving, faith, unity, culture, and heritage
The Department of Tourism’s Experience Western Visayas website identifies September 20 to 22 as Dao’s annual fiesta period and says the celebration honors Sto. Tomas de Villanueva.
For 2026, the celebration falls on:
- Sunday, September 20
- Monday, September 21
- Tuesday, September 22
That Sunday opening date could be especially convenient for visitors who want to experience the fiesta atmosphere during the weekend.
When Is the Dao Fiesta 2026?
The Dao Town Fiesta is traditionally celebrated every September 20 to 22, with the feast of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva observed on September 22.
So for 2026, you can mark these dates:
September 20, 2026 – Sunday
This is the beginning of Dao’s traditional three-day fiesta period.
September 21, 2026 – Monday
Celebrations continue around the municipality as Dao prepares for the main patronal feast.
September 22, 2026 – Tuesday
September 22 is the feast day associated with Dao’s patron saint, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva.
If you’re traveling mainly for the religious side of the fiesta, September 22 is the most significant date to remember.
However, visitors who want to experience more of the community atmosphere may want to arrive on September 20 or 21 instead of coming only on the final day.
What Is the Pasalamat Festival?
The Pasalamat Festival is the annual festival associated with Dao’s September town fiesta.
The name tells you a lot about what the celebration represents.
“Pasalamat” is a Filipino and Hiligaynon term associated with thanksgiving or expressing gratitude. According to the Department of Tourism’s Western Visayas tourism portal, Pasalamat is Dao’s annual fiesta theme and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the town’s culture and heritage, strengthen solidarity among Daonhons, and thank God for blessings such as good health and prosperity.
That’s what makes Pasalamat different from many highly commercialized festivals.
At its core, this is still a community fiesta.
Families gather. Former residents return home. Churches become busier. Food is prepared. Friends reconnect. Local groups participate in activities, and the entire town gets a chance to celebrate together.
For many Filipino towns, that’s what fiesta season has always been about.
Why Is It Called Pasalamat?
“Pasalamat” perfectly captures the spirit of Dao’s celebration because the festival revolves around gratitude.
People aren’t simply celebrating because there’s a festival on the calendar. The occasion represents thanksgiving for another year of life, health, livelihood, family, community, and other blessings.
The regional tourism office specifically describes the fiesta as an opportunity for Daonhons to give thanks to God for good health and prosperity while promoting Dao’s culture and strengthening community solidarity.
You can think of the festival as having three major themes.
Thanksgiving
The biggest theme is gratitude for blessings received throughout the year.
Faith
The town fiesta is closely connected with the devotion of the community to Sto. Tomas de Villanueva.
Community
Fiestas bring families, barangays, local organizations, schools, businesses, and returning residents together.
And this is probably one reason town fiestas remain so important even as Philippine communities continue to change.
It’s not just about entertainment.
It’s also about coming home.
Who Is Sto. Tomas de Villanueva?
Dao celebrates its town fiesta in honor of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, also known in English as St. Thomas of Villanova.
He was a Spanish Augustinian friar and bishop who became known for his charity and concern for people living in poverty.
His connection with Dao goes back generations.
Historical information about Dao Church says the parish was officially placed under the patronage of St. Thomas of Villanova through a decree dated February 29, 1836.
That means the devotion isn’t simply something attached to the modern Pasalamat Festival.
It’s part of Dao’s much older religious history.
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Church in Dao
One of the most interesting places to see during your visit is the historic St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Church, commonly referred to as Dao Church.
Even without a fiesta happening, the church is worth seeing for its history and architecture.
The Department of Tourism’s Western Visayas site describes the church as being constructed from coral stone, with a large main nave, spacious transept, massive façade, arched entrances, and Tuscan-style columns.
Historical accounts say construction of the present church began in 1865 during the tenure of Fr. Augustin Alvarez. The municipality later declared Dao Church a local cultural property through Municipal Ordinance No. 2016-003 in 2016.
The church’s age gives the fiesta another dimension.
Visitors aren’t simply attending a modern festival. They are entering a place where generations of Daonhons have celebrated the same patronal tradition.
During fiesta season, expect the church and surrounding town center to become especially important gathering points for religious activities.
Dao Fiesta 2026 Schedule of Activities
As of August 2026, the confirmed information available from regional tourism sources establishes the traditional September 20–22 Pasalamat Festival dates.
However, a complete official day-by-day 2026 program containing specific event times was not yet publicly available in the sources reviewed for this guide.
That’s an important distinction.
Festival programs can change from year to year, so it would be better not to assume that every event held in a previous celebration will automatically return in 2026.
The final program may include a combination of religious, cultural, civic, entertainment, sports, and community activities.
Possible fiesta-season activities may include:
- Holy Masses and other religious activities
- Processions or patronal observances
- Cultural presentations
- Community programs
- Barangay activities
- Parades
- Dance performances
- Sports competitions
- Local pageants
- Nightly entertainment
- Food stalls
- Trade or livelihood exhibits
- Concerts or live performances
Treat these as possible activities rather than a confirmed 2026 schedule until Dao’s local government or festival organizers release the official program.
I’ll recommend checking official LGU and Capiz tourism announcements as September gets closer.
What Makes Dao’s Pasalamat Festival Special?
Dao’s festival may not receive the same nationwide media attention as Sinulog, Dinagyang, MassKara, or Ati-Atihan, but that can actually be part of its appeal.
This is the kind of celebration where you get a closer look at what a traditional Filipino municipal fiesta feels like.
There’s a strong local character to it.
You’ll see residents returning home, families preparing food, churchgoers attending patronal celebrations, streets becoming busier, and different parts of the community joining the festivities.
And because Pasalamat centers on thanksgiving, the celebration has a message anyone can understand.
Be grateful.
Celebrate your blessings.
Remember your roots.
Spend time with your community.
Sometimes the simplest festival themes are the most relatable.
Where Is Dao, Capiz?
Dao is a municipality in the province of Capiz on Panay Island in Western Visayas.
For most travelers arriving from outside the province, Roxas City will be the most practical gateway to Dao.
Capiz is located in the northeastern portion of Panay Island. The province borders Aklan, Antique, and Iloilo and faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north. Roxas City serves as the provincial capital.
Dao is roughly 27 to 28 kilometers by road from Roxas City, depending on your exact starting point. Typical private-vehicle travel time can be around half an hour under favorable traffic conditions.
Allow extra time during fiesta days because traffic around the town center may become heavier.
How to Get to Dao, Capiz
From Manila
Travelers coming from Metro Manila can first reach Roxas City by air.
After arriving in Roxas City, continue by land toward Dao.
Depending on availability, transportation may include buses, vans, jeepneys, taxis, private vehicles, or other local transport connecting Roxas City with municipalities in the interior of Capiz.
If you’re unfamiliar with the routes, ask at the transport terminal for vehicles passing through or heading toward Dao.
From Roxas City
Dao is approximately 27 to 28 kilometers by road from Roxas City.
Private transportation is one of the easiest options, particularly if you’re traveling as a family or group.
Public transportation may also be available, but routes, departure points, and operating schedules can change. Confirm locally before traveling.
From Iloilo
Travelers coming from Iloilo can take northbound land transportation toward Capiz and connect to Dao through appropriate provincial routes.
Travel time will depend on your starting point, route, and traffic conditions.
If you’re going specifically for fiesta day, leave earlier than usual.
Where to Stay During the Dao Fiesta
Accommodation choices directly within a smaller municipality such as Dao may be more limited than in a provincial capital.
If you’re unable to find suitable accommodation in town, staying in Roxas City can be a practical option.
Roxas City has a wider selection of:
- Hotels
- Inns
- Budget accommodations
- Guesthouses
- Restaurants
- Convenience stores
- Transportation services
You can then make Dao a day trip.
However, if you have relatives or friends living in Dao, staying locally gives you a much more authentic fiesta experience.
And anyone who has experienced a Philippine provincial fiesta knows this already: sometimes the best part isn’t the public program at all.
It’s being invited into someone’s home for lunch.
What to Eat When Visiting Capiz
You can’t talk about traveling to Capiz without talking about food.
Capiz is widely known for seafood, and the provincial government promotes the province as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines.”
Depending on what’s available during your visit, look for local dishes featuring:
- Crabs
- Shrimp
- Oysters
- Scallops
- Fish
- Squid
- Shellfish
Fiesta meals may also include familiar Filipino celebration dishes such as pancit, lumpia, grilled meats, chicken, pork dishes, desserts, and plenty of rice.
If you’re invited to someone’s home during fiesta, don’t be surprised if the table seems capable of feeding twice the number of expected guests.
That’s part of the Filipino fiesta experience.
Tips for Visiting the Pasalamat Festival 2026
Arrive Early
If you’re visiting on September 22, leave early. Streets near the town center and church may become busier during major activities.
Check the Final Schedule
Don’t rely completely on schedules from previous years.
Local governments sometimes revise programs because of weather, logistics, security concerns, or other circumstances.
Prepare for September Weather
September falls within the Philippines’ rainy season.
Carry an umbrella or lightweight rain jacket and protect your phone, camera, and other valuables.
Bring Cash
Although digital payments are increasingly common, cash remains useful when buying from temporary stalls, small eateries, transportation operators, and local vendors.
Dress Properly for Church Activities
If attending Mass, processions, or other religious celebrations, wear appropriate clothing and remember that the fiesta is first and foremost a patronal celebration for many residents.
Respect the Community
Residents aren’t performers existing solely for tourists.
Ask permission before taking close-up photographs, particularly during religious activities.
Give Yourself Time to Explore
If you’re already traveling to Dao, consider spending additional time exploring Capiz instead of immediately returning home.
The trip becomes much more worthwhile when the fiesta is part of a larger Capiz getaway.
Pasalamat Festival in Dao vs. Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota
Here’s something travelers should know when searching online.
Dao isn’t the only place in the Philippines with a celebration called Pasalamat Festival.
La Carlota City in Negros Occidental also holds a famous Pasalamat Festival, but that is an entirely separate event.
The Dao Pasalamat Festival covered in this article is held in:
Dao, Capiz — September 20 to 22
It honors Sto. Tomas de Villanueva and is connected with Dao’s annual town fiesta.
If you’re searching online, use terms such as:
- Dao Capiz Pasalamat Festival
- Pasalamat Festival Dao Capiz
- Dao Fiesta 2026
- Dao Capiz Fiesta 2026
- Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Fiesta Dao
- Pasalamat Festival September 2026
Adding “Dao Capiz” should help you avoid confusing the two festivals.
Is Dao Fiesta Worth Visiting?
If you enjoy Philippine festivals because you want to experience local traditions rather than simply attend massive street parties, Dao Fiesta is worth considering.
Pasalamat Festival represents the kind of celebration you’ll find in municipalities across the country: deeply connected with the patron saint, family homecomings, local identity, and thanksgiving.
There’s something nice about visiting these smaller fiestas.
You don’t necessarily need enormous grandstands or nationally televised competitions to feel that a town is celebrating.
Sometimes it’s the church bells.
Sometimes it’s the families arriving from other provinces.
Sometimes it’s the food being prepared inside homes.
Sometimes it’s the small conversations happening along the streets.
Those things are just as much a part of Philippine fiesta culture as the big parades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dao Fiesta 2026
When is the Dao Fiesta 2026?
The Dao Town Fiesta and Pasalamat Festival are traditionally celebrated from September 20 to 22. In 2026, those dates fall from Sunday to Tuesday.
When is the main feast day?
The feast of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva in Dao is observed on September 22.
What festival is celebrated in Dao, Capiz?
Dao celebrates the Pasalamat Festival as part of its annual town fiesta.
Who is the patron saint of Dao, Capiz?
The patron saint is Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, also known as St. Thomas of Villanova.
What does Pasalamat Festival mean?
Pasalamat centers on thanksgiving. The celebration gives Daonhons an opportunity to thank God for blessings while promoting local culture, heritage, and community solidarity.
Where is Dao located?
Dao is a municipality in the province of Capiz in Western Visayas.
How far is Dao from Roxas City?
Dao is roughly 27 to 28 kilometers by road from Roxas City.
Is there already an official Dao Fiesta 2026 schedule?
The traditional September 20–22 festival dates are established by regional tourism information, but visitors should still wait for or check the local government’s detailed 2026 program for exact times and individual events.
Is Pasalamat Festival a religious festival?
It is both a religious town-fiesta celebration and a community cultural event. The fiesta honors Sto. Tomas de Villanueva while Pasalamat emphasizes gratitude, solidarity, culture, and heritage.
Is Dao’s Pasalamat Festival the same as La Carlota’s Pasalamat Festival?
No. They are separate festivals held in different provinces. Dao’s Pasalamat Festival takes place in Dao, Capiz every September 20–22.
Final Thoughts
The Dao Fiesta 2026 and Pasalamat Festival may be one of the smaller celebrations on the September festival calendar, but its message is something most Filipinos can easily relate to.
It’s about being thankful.
From September 20 to 22, 2026, the people of Dao will once again celebrate their community and honor Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, with the historic Dao Church providing a meaningful backdrop to a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
For travelers, this is also an opportunity to experience another side of Capiz beyond the usual attractions in Roxas City.
Come for the fiesta, visit the historic church, enjoy Capiz food, meet the people, and experience how a traditional municipal celebration feels when the entire community comes together.
And if you’re planning to attend, remember the most important date:
September 22, 2026 — the feast of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva in Dao, Capiz.
The broader Pasalamat Festival celebration runs September 20–22, 2026.
As the fiesta gets closer, it’s best to check announcements from the Municipality of Dao and Capiz tourism authorities for the final 2026 program, parade details, religious activities, concerts, traffic advisories, and other updates.
