September is a big month in San Mateo, Rizal.
While many Philippine towns celebrate their fiesta over just a few days, San Mateo turns much of September into a community celebration through San Mateo Rizal Septemberfest.
At the heart of it all is one particularly important date:
September 9.
Every September 9, San Mateo celebrates the feast of its beloved patroness, Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, together with one of the municipality’s best-known traditions—the Kakanin Festival or Parada ng Kakanin.
For 2026, the feast falls on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
And preparations for this year’s Septemberfest have already started. In July 2026, the municipal government held a Septemberfest 2026 Logo Making Contest, with the winning design intended to become the official logo used on promotional materials, merchandise and souvenirs for the celebration.
The complete Septemberfest 2026 calendar hasn’t yet been published in a fully searchable official program as of August 24, but there’s already plenty we know from the established traditions and recent celebrations.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the San Mateo Rizal Septemberfest 2026, Kakanin Festival and Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
Content
San Mateo Septemberfest 2026 at a Glance
- Celebration: San Mateo Rizal Septemberfest 2026
- Main religious fiesta: Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu
- Main fiesta date: September 9, 2026
- Day: Wednesday
- Major cultural event: Kakanin Festival / Parada ng Kakanin
- Location: San Mateo, Rizal
- Main religious venue: National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu
- Septemberfest duration: Activities traditionally take place throughout much of September
- Province: Rizal
- Region: CALABARZON
The San Mateo Municipal Tourism Office specifically identifies Septemberfest as one of its tourism programs and says the celebration includes both the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu and the Kakanin Festival.
When Is San Mateo Fiesta 2026?
The main fiesta will be celebrated on:
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
September 9 is the annual feast day of Our Lady of Aranzazu, the patroness of San Mateo.
The National Shrine’s own historical information identifies September 9 as the annual feast, when devotees gather at the shrine and the Kakanin Festival or Parada ng Kakanin is traditionally held.
This is the date to remember if your main reason for visiting is the traditional town fiesta.
However, if you want to experience Septemberfest, don’t think of September 9 as the only important day.
Recent editions have included activities from the beginning until the latter part of September.
What Is San Mateo Septemberfest?
Septemberfest is the umbrella celebration for many of San Mateo’s cultural, civic, religious, tourism, sports and entertainment activities during September.
That distinction is useful.
The Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu is the religious fiesta.
The Kakanin Festival is one of the major cultural traditions connected with the September 9 feast.
Septemberfest, meanwhile, brings together a much wider collection of activities throughout the month.
In 2025, the municipality’s Septemberfest included a history exhibit, BidaBike Fest, Kakanin Festival, an agricultural and livelihood market, government service programs, a talent competition, pet festival, Color Run, medical mission, job fair, Mr. and Ms. San Mateo and a planned grand concert.
So when someone searches for “San Mateo Fiesta 2026 schedule,” there may actually be two schedules worth checking: the religious activities around September 9 and the wider Septemberfest calendar organized by the LGU.
Septemberfest 2026 Is Already Being Prepared
There is already concrete evidence that Septemberfest 2026 is moving forward.
In July, the San Mateo Rizal Public Information Office promoted a Septemberfest 2026 Logo Making Contest.
The municipality said the winning design would become the official Septemberfest 2026 logo and would be used for materials such as tarpaulins, social media content, merchandise and souvenirs.
That’s a good sign that more 2026 announcements should follow as the celebration gets closer.
What we still don’t have, as of August 24, is one complete official calendar listing every event, date, concert performer and venue.
So for now, I’d be careful with unofficial posters circulating online.
What Is the Kakanin Festival?
If there’s one event that immediately identifies San Mateo’s September fiesta, it’s the Kakanin Festival.
The festival celebrates the Filipino rice-based delicacies that have long been part of San Mateo’s local livelihood and culture.
Think of familiar favorites such as suman, puto, kutsinta, palitaw, sapin-sapin, biko, bibingka and other varieties of kakanin.
But the festival doesn’t simply consist of selling rice cakes.
Traditionally, there is a Parada ng Kakanin, with floats, dancers, community organizations, schools and different groups joining a colorful procession through the town.
The Rizal Provincial Government described the 2023 edition as a combination of traditional dances, grand floats and different varieties of kakanin, all held in honor of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
That mix of food, culture and religious devotion is what makes San Mateo’s celebration distinctive.
Why Kakanin Became Part of the Fiesta
There is a good reason rice delicacies became the centerpiece of the festival.
The National Shrine’s account of the festival explains that San Mateo was once surrounded by extensive rice fields. Rice was an important local agricultural product, and making kakanin became a source of income for many residents.
The festival was created partly to help revive and promote the local kakanin industry while also serving as an offering of thanksgiving during the feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
According to the shrine, the Kakanin Festival began around 2000, with the cooperation of the parish and local government. Another shrine history credits then-parish priest Msgr. Manuel Balbago Jr. with introducing the festival as part of the annual celebration of the patroness.
So this isn’t simply a modern food fair.
It developed from San Mateo’s agricultural past, local livelihood and Marian devotion.
Could 2026 Be the 28th Kakanin Festival?
The municipal government officially referred to the September 9, 2025 celebration as the 27th Kakanin Festival.
That would logically make the 2026 celebration the 28th Kakanin Festival if the annual numbering continues normally.
However, until the municipality itself starts using “28th Kakanin Festival” in its official 2026 promotional materials, I’d avoid presenting the number as formally confirmed.
The safer headline keyword for now remains:
Kakanin Festival 2026
or
San Mateo Fiesta 2026.
What Happened During the 2025 Kakanin Festival?
The previous celebration gives us an excellent idea of what September 9 can look like.
In 2025, the LGU announced road closures for the 27th Kakanin Festival Parade and Procession.
The parade started from the National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, passed through portions of Barangays Sta. Ana, Guitnang Bayan I and II, and Dulong Bayan I and II before returning to the shrine.
That year’s parade was scheduled from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, while the religious procession ran from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The same day also featured the annual festival competition, with elementary and high school groups participating. The municipality described the celebration as reflecting the culture and history of San Mateo.
These were the 2025 times and route, not the confirmed 2026 schedule, but they show why anyone planning to visit this year should expect September 9 to be a full-day celebration.
The Parada ng Kakanin
The parade is probably the most recognizable cultural component of the fiesta.
Historically, participating parishioners, organizations and community groups have prepared decorated floats showcasing different varieties of rice delicacies.
Traditional dances accompany the parade, adding another cultural element to what could otherwise simply be a food event.
After earlier editions of the procession, kakanin was even distributed to participants and visitors. The National Shrine describes the festival as a parade of rice delicacies followed by the sharing of kakanin with the community.
That’s very Filipino when you think about it.
You celebrate the town’s food by making a lot of it—and then sharing it.
Who Is Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu?
At the center of the celebration is Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, or Our Lady of Aranzazu.
The Marian devotion has deep roots in San Mateo.
Historical information from the shrine says the town itself was established under Augustinian missionaries in 1596, while devotion to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu later became closely tied to San Mateo’s Catholic community.
The image eventually became known as the patroness of San Mateo, and September 9 developed into one of the municipality’s most important annual religious dates.
The devotion is particularly associated locally with prayers for protection and intercession.
For many residents, saying “Fiesta ng San Mateo” therefore isn’t just about concerts or food stalls.
It means celebrating the Mahal na Birhen ng Aranzazu.
The National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu
The church is the spiritual center of the September 9 celebration.
The parish was elevated to the status of a diocesan shrine in 2004, reflecting the growing devotion and number of pilgrims visiting the image.
The shrine’s history has also survived periods of destruction and rebuilding, reflecting the much longer history of Catholicism in San Mateo.
During fiesta week, expect the church to become especially busy.
Devotees attend novena Masses before September 9, followed by major liturgical celebrations and the traditional fiesta procession.
Historical fiesta programs have included a morning rosary, several Masses, the Kakanin parade and an afternoon procession.
The actual 2026 Mass schedule should be confirmed directly through the shrine once published.
The Fiesta Procession
The afternoon procession offers a different atmosphere from the morning Kakanin parade.
Instead of focusing on food and cultural competition, it centers more directly on Marian devotion.
During the 2023 fiesta procession, devotees accompanied the image of Our Lady of Aranzazu through the streets with music, dancing and traditional calls of “Viva La Virgen!”
The shrine reported that the procession covered around 2.3 kilometers before returning to the parish for the final Mass.
This mix of solemn devotion and joyful celebration is very characteristic of Philippine fiestas.
It doesn’t necessarily feel quiet.
There can be marching bands, singing and dancing.
But the meaning is religious.
What Can We Expect From Septemberfest 2026?
The full schedule is still pending, so it’s better not to invent a lineup based on previous years.
However, recent editions give us several activities worth watching for.
The Kakanin Festival and Aranzazu Fiesta on September 9 are the most established parts of the calendar.
Beyond that, previous Septemberfest programs have featured biking events, history exhibits, agricultural markets, talent competitions, pet activities, runs, health programs, employment fairs, pageants and concerts.
The University of the Philippines Open University also documented San Mateo’s Septemberfest as featuring events including the Kakanin Festival, Bike Festival and Grand Concert, showing how these have become recurring pieces of the broader municipal celebration.
For 2026, I’d particularly watch for official announcements concerning the Kakanin parade, religious procession, Septemberfest opening, BidaBike activities, history exhibit, agricultural market, talent competitions, pageants and grand concert.
Septemberfest Isn’t Only a Fiesta
One thing I like about San Mateo’s approach is that Septemberfest has expanded beyond entertainment.
In 2025, the municipality used the month to hold activities ranging from medical services and government one-stop shops to employment fairs and livelihood programs.
That gives Septemberfest a community-service component that you don’t always see highlighted in festival guides.
For residents, the celebration isn’t just something to watch.
It’s also a month when municipal programs are brought directly to the community.
San Mateo Foundation Day Is Also in September
September is significant to San Mateo for another reason.
The municipality also commemorates its Foundation Day on September 21, which has been incorporated into Septemberfest activities in previous years.
For example, the LGU’s 2022 celebration marked San Mateo’s 450th Foundation Day as part of Septemberfest.
That helps explain why Septemberfest can continue well beyond the September 9 religious fiesta.
There are really several layers to the month: religious tradition, local culture, food, municipal history and community programs.
What Kakanin Should You Look For?
This is one fiesta where arriving hungry makes sense.
Traditional festival accounts specifically mention familiar favorites such as suman, puto, kutsinta, palitaw, sapin-sapin, biko, bibingka and puto bumbong among the rice delicacies associated with San Mateo’s celebration.
One locally highlighted delicacy is Suman Antala, which the municipality featured in its 2022 Kakanin Festival cooking content.
The selection can vary depending on vendors and participants, but the whole point is to showcase the variety of Filipino rice-based food.
If you’re attending for photography or content creation, don’t focus only on the dancers.
Photograph the food too.
The kakanin is part of the story.
Things to Do in San Mateo While You’re There
San Mateo’s location makes it very different from many provincial fiesta destinations.
You’re still very close to Metro Manila, but the municipality quickly rises toward the foothills and mountain areas of Rizal.
Visit the Aranzazu Shrine
This should be the first stop if you want to understand the fiesta.
Even outside September 9, the church is an important pilgrimage and heritage landmark.
During the actual feast, however, give priority to worshippers rather than treating the church only as a tourist attraction.
Explore the Timberland Area
San Mateo has long been popular with cyclists, particularly around the Timberland Bike Trail.
The Rizal Provincial Government describes the area as a destination for mountain bikers, runners and outdoor sports enthusiasts, with challenging climbs and downhill sections.
This connection with cycling also makes the municipality’s Septemberfest biking activities feel very appropriate.
Head Up Toward Pintong Bukawe
Another mountain-side destination identified by Rizal tourism is Mount Sinai in Pintong Bukawe.
The provincial government highlights the area’s views toward the Sierra Madre, Laguna de Bay and Metro Manila.
It’s a completely different atmosphere from the busy streets around the poblacion on fiesta day.
You could experience the Kakanin Festival one day and spend another morning in the upland areas.
How to Get to San Mateo, Rizal
San Mateo is one of the more accessible fiesta destinations for people coming from Metro Manila.
It sits immediately east of the metropolitan area and is connected with neighboring Marikina, Quezon City and Rodriguez.
Public transportation options commonly include jeepneys, UV Express services and other local transport, although routes can change.
For visitors driving during the September 9 fiesta, the bigger issue is likely to be traffic and road closures.
The 2025 Kakanin Festival required both full road closures and stop-and-go schemes along portions of the parade and procession route.
Expect similar traffic management during major 2026 events, but wait for the official advisory before planning your exact route.
If possible, arrive early.
Trying to enter the center of town just as a parade begins is rarely a good idea.
Where to Stay
Because San Mateo is part of the Greater Manila urban area, many visitors won’t necessarily need to stay overnight.
If you’re coming from Metro Manila, the fiesta can work as a day trip.
However, staying nearby may make sense if you want to attend early morning religious activities followed by the parade and evening programs.
San Mateo’s official tourism website lists a growing mix of resorts and recreation properties around the municipality, particularly in its upland areas.
You can also stay in nearby parts of Marikina or Quezon City if that works better for your itinerary.
What Is September Weather Like in San Mateo?
September is still firmly within the Philippine rainy season.
And San Mateo is no stranger to heavy rain and flooding.
That makes weather monitoring particularly important during Septemberfest.
In 2025, some late-September activities—including the planned coronation night and grand concert—had to be postponed because of severe weather associated with a tropical cyclone.
For 2026, don’t assume an outdoor event will proceed simply because it’s printed on a poster.
Check the LGU’s official announcement on the day itself whenever heavy rain or a weather disturbance is affecting Rizal.
An umbrella, light rain jacket, waterproof phone protection and comfortable footwear are sensible festival essentials.
Is September 9, 2026 a Holiday in San Mateo?
A town fiesta does not automatically become a special non-working holiday.
As of August 24, I haven’t found an official proclamation declaring September 9, 2026 a special non-working day in San Mateo specifically for the Aranzazu fiesta.
That means residents should not automatically assume there will be no classes or government work.
Separate announcements may still be issued by the national government, local government or schools.
If you’re searching for “Walang Pasok San Mateo September 9, 2026,” check again closer to the date.
Tips for Attending San Mateo Fiesta 2026
If the Kakanin Festival is your priority, September 9 is the day you shouldn’t miss. Arrive early because previous parades have occupied much of the morning, and roads around the shrine and central barangays can become heavily congested.
Check the official traffic advisory before driving. If you’re attending the religious procession, plan to stay through the afternoon rather than leaving immediately after the morning festival.
For photographers, bring rain protection for your equipment. September weather can change quickly.
And most importantly, remember why the celebration exists. The costumes and rice delicacies are fun, but the heart of the September 9 fiesta remains the devotion of San Mateo residents to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Mateo Septemberfest 2026
When is San Mateo Rizal Fiesta 2026?
The main patronal fiesta is on September 9, 2026, honoring Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
What day is September 9, 2026?
September 9, 2026 falls on a Wednesday.
What is the festival of San Mateo, Rizal?
One of San Mateo’s best-known annual cultural events is the Kakanin Festival or Parada ng Kakanin, held in connection with the September 9 feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
What is Septemberfest?
San Mateo Rizal Septemberfest is the broader municipal celebration held throughout September. It incorporates the Aranzazu fiesta and Kakanin Festival along with cultural, sports, tourism, civic and entertainment programs.
Is Septemberfest 2026 confirmed?
Yes. The municipality has already promoted a Septemberfest 2026 Logo Making Contest, indicating preparations for this year’s celebration are underway.
Is the complete Septemberfest 2026 schedule already available?
As of August 24, 2026, I have not found a complete publicly searchable official calendar covering all Septemberfest 2026 events.
When is Kakanin Festival 2026?
The Kakanin Festival is traditionally held on September 9, together with the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
Will 2026 be the 28th Kakanin Festival?
The LGU officially called the 2025 celebration the 27th Kakanin Festival. If the annual numbering continues, 2026 would be the 28th edition, although it’s best to wait for the municipality’s official 2026 wording before treating that number as confirmed.
What happens during the Kakanin Festival?
Traditional activities include a Parada ng Kakanin, decorated floats, festival dancing and presentations highlighting San Mateo’s rice delicacies. The religious fiesta also includes Masses and a procession honoring Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Who is the patron saint of San Mateo, Rizal?
The principal Marian patroness celebrated during the September fiesta is Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, or Our Lady of Aranzazu.
Where is the fiesta centered?
Major religious activities center on the National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, while wider Septemberfest programs are held at various municipal venues.
Is September 9 a holiday?
Not automatically. A separate official declaration would be needed for a special non-working day or suspension of classes and government work.
Is San Mateo Fiesta easy to visit from Metro Manila?
Yes. San Mateo borders the Greater Manila area and is particularly accessible from Marikina and Quezon City, making it one of the easier Rizal fiestas to visit as a day trip.
Final Thoughts
The San Mateo Rizal Septemberfest 2026 is more than a single fiesta day.
September becomes a month for celebrating the municipality’s food, history, culture, outdoor lifestyle, community programs and faith.
But if there’s one date that brings everything back to the heart of the tradition, it’s:
Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
That’s the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu and the traditional date of the Kakanin Festival and Parada ng Kakanin.
It’s a celebration that makes a very ordinary Filipino food category—rice cakes—part of the identity of an entire town.
There’s suman and puto.
There are floats and festival dancers.
There are crowds lining the streets.
And later in the day, attention shifts toward the religious procession and the devotion that has brought generations of San Mateo residents together.
For 2026, preparations for Septemberfest have already begun, but we’re still waiting for the complete official calendar.
Once that schedule is released, the biggest things to watch for will be the exact Kakanin Festival parade time and route, religious Mass and procession schedule, Septemberfest concerts, pageants, sports events and other major activities.
For now, remember the most important date:
September 9, 2026 – San Mateo Fiesta and Kakanin Festival in Rizal.
