Whether it’s May, June, or November, there’s always a fiesta in full swing somewhere in the Philippines! Fiestas can revolve around a variety of objects, ranging from images of the child Jesus to local delicacies like mangoes and calamay. However, they all feature a common set of activities that never fail to get the locals into a festive mood.
Here are 10 classic activities you’ll find at any fiesta in the Philippines. Don’t be surprised if you have happy flashbacks while going through this list. Chances are, some of these popular fiesta activities were part of your childhood!
10 Activities You’ll Find at Any Fiesta in the Philippines
1. Street Parades
You know there’s a fiesta when there’s a street parade making its rounds around town! This can be a rare chance to see the mayor in person if they’re part of the parade. Other common sights include a baton-twirling majorettes and a marching band from the municipal high school.
Have you managed to find out the parade’s route in advance? Get into position early, otherwise you’ll find yourself straining your neck to get a glimpse of the parade!
2. Lively Variety Shows
When a stage pops up near the municipal hall or multi-purpose venue, chances are there’s a variety show lined up for the night. Sit back and watch as town residents show off their hidden talents on stage.
Clap along as a local dance group shakes it to a crisp remixed beat. Hold your breath while a star singer does an impression of Mariah Carey’s whistle. Laugh out loud at the on-point punchlines from some of the top comedians in the area. If you’re lucky, you might even get to watch a magician eating fire or turning handkerchiefs into doves before your very eyes! This is one fiesta activity that people of all ages can definitely enjoy.
3. Beauty Pageants
Here’s another staple of the fiesta stage! Local beauty pageants invite the most beautiful girls from around town to show off their looks and wits. These activities often include talent showcases, swimsuit competitions, and a Miss Universe-level Q&A.
Usually, the local crown isn’t the only award up for grabs. You might see sashes reserved for “Best in Talent” and “Miss Photogenic” as well.
Some municipalities also hold a Miss Gay pageant, which is often a cheeky but fabulous “battle of the wits.”
4. Late-Night Discos
If you lean out of your window and hear budots music blaring in the distance, it can only mean one thing: disco night! This fiesta activity usually takes up one of the town’s roads, which is closed off with metal railings. A hired lights and sounds provider sets up large speakers, disco lights, and even smoke machines to set the mood. Locals may start to fill the dance floor early in the evening and stay there until past midnight.
Thinking of dropping by the makeshift discotheque? Take a bit of pocket money with you. You might be asked to pay a minimal entrance fee before hitting the dance floor.
5. Colorful Perya Attractions
Think Enchanted Kingdom or Star City but at a much cheaper price. The perya or traveling fair is a lively blend of amusement park rides and luck-based activities with kitchen utensils at stake. It first pops up a few days before the fiesta and packs up once the festivities are over.
Walk around while munching on popcorn and sipping on a mango shake with condensed milk on top. Try your hand at some dart-throwing or coin-tossing games. Or hop onto the ferris wheel, caterpillar, or horror train for some classic thrills!
6. Parlor Games
When was the last time you joined a sack race? The next town fiesta can give you the chance to relive your childhood with classic activities straight out of a grade-school sportsfest. Here are some parlor games you can’t miss:
- Sack Race – Thought that indoor sack races were hard? Wait until you try hopping across a field of dirt and grass.
- Pabitin – An old favorite for the little ones! Small prizes are tacked to a bamboo lattice and suspended for players to reach.
- Paluan ng Palayok – The Filipino version of the piñata. Blindfolded players try to smash a clay pot with a wooden stick. The players are usually made to turn a few times, making them dizzy for an added challenge.
- Agawang Buko – Participants struggle to take hold of an oiled coconut. It’s a lot harder than it sounds!
- Palo Sebo – Players take turns trying to climb an oiled bamboo pole to grab the prize at the top. Believe it or not, someone always manages to reach the prize.
- Culiot – Tug-of-war never gets old, even in the Philippines. Expect a lot of shouting and counting from team leaders to help players pull hard in unison.
7. Basketball Tournament
You’ll be surprised at the number of basketball teams you can find in a single town. The fiesta basketball tournament gathers them all for an exciting showdown. Some of the more intense matches can feel like a live NBA playoff. Be sure to catch the finals!
8. Lechon All Around
All right, lechon itself is more of a spotlight-stealing dish than a fiesta activity. But you’ll have a hard time finding a fiesta that doesn’t feature a giant roasted pig with crispy skin and juicy meat! Once the roast pig is set out on a banana leaf or pig-shaped wooden dish, you’d better line up fast. A single lechon can feed a few extended families, and it usually draws that many people, too.
The best part about this fiesta “activity”? If you know a handful of people in the barangay, you can simply hop from house to house for your lechon fix. Call it your cheat day.
9. Eat and Drink All You Can
Lechon is far from the only food you’ll spot at a fiesta in the Philippines. Want to load up on fish fillet, chicken lollipops, and the sauciest spaghetti or lasagna in town? Go right ahead, and grab a small bowl of buko pandan while you’re at it. You’d better make enough room in your stomach!
Fiestas are also an excuse to go wild with the drinks. Some households will have entire cases of beer on standby in time for the festivities. It’s even better when there’s a karaoke machine around! Get ready to belt out your favorite tunes right after your drinking spree–just do yourself a favor and skip Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
10. Fireworks Display
This is one fiesta activity you won’t be able to miss even if you tried. At the end of the fiesta day itself, the entire sky lights up with fireworks ranging from glittery fountains to awe-inspiring peonies. In some cases, the fireworks can be seen all the way from the next town!
Some fiestas take their pyrotechnics a step further and match them with music for a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
Keep an eye out for these 10 classic activities the next time you’re in town for a fiesta! These all-out celebrations are a rare chance to bond with family, neighbors, and childhood friends.
Thinking of sponsoring the lights and sounds at the next variety show, pageant, or disco in town? Treat your friends to some high-quality beats by booking an industry professional like Red Damien! This lights and sounds provider in Quezon City offers state-of-the-art equipment and expert technical support for a festive and hassle-free night. Inquire with us today for more details!
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