Boracay Events and Festivals

Boracay celebrates all Philippine national holidays as well as a number of festivals that are enjoyed exclusively by the locals. The highlight of the calendar is the Ati-Atihan Festival in January, a colourful celebration that originates from Kalibo on the island of Panay.

New Years Day: the arrival of the New Year is celebrated enthusiastically by the residents of Boracay, the majority of which are Roman Catholic and follow the Gregorian calendar.

Boracay International Funboard Cup: the Asian Windsurfing Tour comes to Bulabog Beach for a week in the form of this popular annual water sport event.

Ati-Atihan Festival: the main event is held at Kalibo on Panay Island, with a smaller version of the festival enjoyed slightly later in the month at Boracay. The festival is a celebration of Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and sees locals don brightly coloured costumes and enjoy a variety of street-based events.

People Power Day: this public holiday in commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolt is enjoyed by the people of Boracay with a day free from work and the opportunity to relax or meet with friends and family.

Easter: with most of Boracay’s residents following Roman Catholicism, the island observes all the religious significances of Holy Week with services held throughout and light-hearted celebrations on Easter Sunday.

Bataan Day: is a public holiday in April which remembers those who died while defending the peninsula of Bataan against Japanese troops at the beginning of WWII.

Dragon Boat Racing: the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation holds the annual dragon boat racing competition on the island of Boracay with teams from across the nation assembling to compete for the auspicious title.

Independence Day: on the 12^th of the month, Filipinos celebrate the anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain. This is a nationwide public holiday.

Filipino-American Friendship Day: on the 4^th of July, the Philippines celebrate the country’s formal declaration of independence from the USA. This is a nationwide public holiday.

Boracay Open Asian Beach Ultimate Tournament: the Philippine Ultimate Association presents this popular Frisbee tournament on White Beach.

National Heroes' Day: known locally as Araw ng mga Bayani, this public holiday held on the 26^th of August sees the residents of Boracay enjoying a day free from work.

Osmeña Day: is a public holiday enjoyed across the Philippines in commemoration of the nation’s fourth president, Sergio Osmeña, who passed away in 1961.

Ramadan: about five per cent of the nation’s population are Muslim. A small proportion of that figure resides on Boracay and observes the Islamic period of abstinence known as Ramadan. Some shops close early or don’t open at all during this period.

Eid ul-Fitr: Boracay’s Muslim population celebrates Eid ul-Fitr, a festival which marks the end of Ramadan and sees feasting and lively gatherings of friends and family.

Bonifacio Day: residents of Boracay celebrate the birthdate of Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.

Lopez Jaena Day: this public holiday on the 18^th of the month celebrates the life of historic Filipino figure Graciano López Jaena.

Christmas: known locally as Araw ng Pasko, Christmas is celebrated as enthusiastically on Boracay as it is on the mainland.

New Years Eve: or Bisperas ng Bagong Taon, is marked on Boracay by the usual festive celebrations, with resorts putting on parties and firework displays at midnight.