The Famous Masskara Festival
Bacolod City, provincial capital, observes its charter celebration
in October with Masskara Festival (festival of smiling masks).
The event showcases the Negrenses' (people of the province)
happy disposition.


Masskara Festival is an annual celebration in Bacolod City
during the month of October. All neighboring cities in Negros
Occidental eagerly awaits this event to join in the fun as well as
winning big prizes.

The smiles of the people of Bacolod widen during the Masskara Festival.
Masskara, meaning "many faces" was conceived to boost the local
people's morale during the height of an economic depression which hit
the province in 1980.

Masskara - Bacolod City's Premier Festival

Held annually on the weekend nearest October 19, the city's
charter day anniversary, MassKara's unique character comes
from the smiling masks that costumed revelers put on as they
dance to the Latin beat along the city's main streets. Now a
major tourists attraction of Bacolod, MassKara symbolizes the
Negrense's ability to rise above difficulties and to face the
future with hope and confidence.





Other important festivals held in Negros Province, all year round
Adopt a Tree
Ati-Atihan
Christmas Festival of Lights and Music
Christmas Tree Contest
Feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage
Feast of San Sebastian
Flores de Mayo
Kali-Kalihan Festival
Lenten Season Passion Play
Panaad sa Negros
Pasalamat Festival
Philippine Independence Day Celebration
Pinta Flores Festival
Sinulog sa Ilog
Sinulog sa Kabankalan

Adopt A Tree - held in Bacolod City Public Plaza every December is a project wherein a citizen can sponsor any tree at the public plaza by providing Christmas lights.

Ati- Atihan - Held every January in Cadiz City. It is a festival in honor of the Sto. Nina, patron of Cadiz City believed to have created miracles protecting the city from the invading pirates long time ago. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Cadiz City is highlighted by a street parade in honor of their patron saint, Senor Sto. Nino. Garbed in Ati costumes, various tribes also dance to the beat of their drums while carrying the image of the Sto. Nino. Devotees believe it was the Holy Infant who saved the village from the attack of pirates in the past through His intercessions.

Christmas Festival of Lights and Music - held in La Carlota City from December 15 to January 1; featured in this festival are lighted trees in the park, and in private and public buildings. This also showcases various churches and school choirs in the nightly "Christmas Extravaganza and Concert in the Park".

Christmas Tree Contest - held in Bacolod City Public Plaza every December. It is an annual Christmas tree contest and participated in by 61 barangays in Bacolod City.

Feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage - held in La Carlota City every January 24, which features cultural shows and traditional fiesta activities like procession, traditional games and cultural presentation.

Feast of San Sebastian - held in San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod City every January 19-20. This date is the traditional Patron Saint Day of Bacolod City. It commemorates the evangelization work of Spanish missionaries.

Flores de Mayo - held at Bacolod City proper every May 31. It is a parade of beautiful maidens representing specific symbol of title and authority of Saints.

Kali-Kalihan Festival - Held every December at Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. A celebration of age-old practice showcasing ancient skills in martial arts and beliefs in the forces of nature. Walking on live charcoal is one of the highlights.

Lenten Season Passion Play - held at San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Bgy. La Granja, La Carlota City every Good Friday (March). Live re-enactment of the 7 last words held on Good Friday at the Hills of Bgy. La Granja, San Vicente Ferrer Parish.

Panaad sa Negros - Launched in May 1993 as a special summer festival. Panaad sa Negros showcases the arts, culture and special products of the towns and cities in the province. With the Capitol Lagoon and Park as the center of activities, the week-long celebration features an agro-industrial fair, concerts, dance parade, band competition, special exhibits, religious procession, etc.

More than the festivities, however, Panaad sa Negros is the Negrense's way of giving thanks to the Almighty for blessings received during the year.

Pasalamat Festival - held every 4th Sunday of April in La Carlota City, based on the tradition of giving thanks to the Gods of the elements after a bountiful harvest by the ancients in "Buglas". Characterized by the beating of drums, maracas, congas, bongos and other percussion instruments.

Philippine Independence Day Celebration - held in Bacolod City Public Plaza every June 12, celebrated by a display of Philippine flag and a parade of various sectors of society.

Pinta Flores Festival - Held in San Carlos City every November, coined from the words "pinta" and "flores", depicts the tradition of welcoming visitors through dancing as in the "pintados" during the coming of the Spaniards in the Visayas. Flowers instead of tattoos are painted on the bodies and costumes of the dancers.

Sinulog sa Ilog - Held every June, the Sinulog Sa Ilog is original to the town of Ilog, the first capital of Negros Island in 1632. Time was when the inhabitants of Buglas, as Negros Occidental was once called, who lived along the coasts of the island were constantly attacked by native pirates. With the spread of Christianity, however, these attacks were repelled by the settlers, presumably through the intercession of the Sto. Nino.

The June celebration in Ilog depicts this historic past, with the costumed participants re-enacting the encounters between the Filipino Christians and the marauding pirates with spears and mincing dance steps.

Sinulog sa Kabankalan - Held every 3rd Weekend of January; celebrates the war dance rituals of Datu Manya-bog who ruled the valleys in Kabankalan. The entire war dance commemorates the defiance of Manyabog and his heroic stand to fight and defend his tribe. The Sinulog in the town of Kabankalan is a thanksgiving celebration to mark the feast of the Sto. Nino. Highlight of the festivities is the streetdancing competition with the black-sooted and costumed tribes gyrating to the beat of drums.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY HOMETOWN
Brief History
Important Festivals
Historical & Cultural Attractions
Negros Province
Tourist Attraction

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