What makes Davao City unique is its unbelievable mix of diversity that’s beautifully reflected not only in its people but its overall natural landscape as well. The city has the third-largest population in the Philippines and has a massive land area that’s 6 times the size of Metro Manila and 3 times that of Metro Cebu.
Davao City is also situated at the feet of the tallest mountain in the country, Mt. Apo, allowing cultural diversity to thrive within the region. Oh, and aside from being the most developed city on the whole island of Mindanao, Davao also has a lot to offer in terms of tourism!
Pristine white-sand beaches from spectacular islands like Samal, several animal conservation centers, and religious landmarks are well-distributed over the entire region. Of course, the administration of Ex-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also made a huge impact in promoting Davao City to the Philippines and the whole world.
Despite the unstoppable development of Davao City’s metropolis, we can still say that the people’s love for culture and tradition remains unfazed. After everything that happened, Dabaweños stayed true and active to practice their native traditions. And cultural and religious diversity are some of Davao’s strengths, the city is known to host some of the most fun and exciting festivals in the country.
Yup, and if you’re planning to visit the “King City of the South” any time soon, then I suggest that you book a trip that coincides with the schedule of at least one festival!
Well, you don’t have to worry because that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about today. Are you ready? Here are the 5 Best Festivals in Davao City!
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1. Kadayawan Festival (3rd Week of August)
First on the list and one you definitely shouldn’t miss is the iconic Kadayawan Festival. It is one of the major festivals in the entire country which is a celebration of life, thanksgiving for nature’s gifts, the wealth of culture, the overflowing bounties of harvest, and the serenity of life.
Kadayawan highlights the eleven (11) major tribes of Davao City and their incredibly colorful culture and tradition, so expect the festival to be as grand as it can be! Millions of Filipinos and guests are expected to grace the King City of the South during the season of the Kadayawan Festival, so prepare yourselves to take on fun and exciting activities!
Credit: Constantine Agustin / Flickr – Creative Commons
One of the Kadayawan Festival’s major highlights is the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, featuring an awe-inspiring parade of different Mindanao communities showcasing their colorful culture on the streets.
Of course, this is also the perfect time to enjoy a gastronomical feast around Davao City because all the restaurants and businesses will definitely have ongoing promos and discounts.
Remember, the name of the Kadayawan Festival originated from the term “madayaw”, which translates to “being treasured” or “valuable”. This is the time when locals give many thanks for the season’s bountiful harvest, so it’s best to celebrate with such joy and gratitude as well!
READ MORE: Kadayawan Festival: A Journey Through Davao’s Rich Heritage
2. Chinese New Year Festival (January/February)
Did you know that the only Chinatown in Mindanao can be found in Davao City? Yup! The King City in the South houses one of the biggest Chinese-Filipino communities in the Philippines, which is why the celebrations of the Chinese New Year Festival there are also as grand as it gets!
Photo by Davao City Gov
The Chinese New Year Festival also includes the blessing of the Four Chinese Arches in Davao City’s Chinatown: Arch of Friendship, Arch of Peace, Arch of Prosperity, and Arch of Unity. Expect to witness several festivities such as beautiful parades, marathons, ribbon-cutting for countless businesses, and of course, food festivals. Well, feel free to feast on an unlimited and delicious mix of Chinese and Dabaweño delights all you want!
3. Pasko Fiesta sa Davao (Christmas Season)
We all know that Filipinos have the best and longest celebration of Christmas, right? Well, here at Davao City, everyone takes it to a whole ‘nother level! Every year as the Yuletide Season draws near, an exclusive committee is formed to plan the festivities for Pasko Fiesta sa Davao, which then transforms the entire city into celebration mode.
Photo by Davao City Gov
Majestic Christmas decorations, lights, and activities are prepared all throughout the metro. And because Pasko Fiesta sa Davao also serves as a year-ending celebration and thanksgiving for Dabaweños, expect to enjoy countless promos, discounts, and must-see festivities during your visit!
For a first-time visitor in Davao, this is definitely one of the perfect times to book a trip to King City in the South!
4. Araw ng Dabaw (Month of March)
Araw ng Dabaw is a week-long celebration commemorating the feast or founding anniversary of Davao City, with these, expect to enjoy a vibrant feast featuring long lists of festivities and programs that represent the beautiful culture and tradition of Davao!
Some of the programs include Agri Trade Fairs, beauty pageants, the much-awaited Sayawan sa Dán, and Parada Dabawenyo.
Photo by Araw ng Dabaw FB
Of course, since it’s the special day of Davao City and the Dabaweños, you’ll see several bazaars and shops offering only the best bits of Davao’s treats and delights! From iconic street foods to beautiful orchids, you can absolutely shop ‘til you drop for irresistibly amazing discounts.
5. Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (September/October)
Finally, Davao City also celebrates the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival or simply, the Moon Cake Festival. Since the Filipino-Chinese Community is very prominent in the city, this festival became the second-grandest celebration for the city!
Photo by Davao Group C- 3B
It’s usually held during the full moon of the autumn season, which falls in the months of September or October in the Philippines. The full moon symbolizes harmony, happiness, and reunion, which plays an important role for families in Davao City.
Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is also one of the most colorful and aesthetically pleasing festivities in the country featuring a dance of dragons, lantern parades, food festivals, and more!
