Puerto Princesa Festivals: A Celebration of Culture, Nature, and Community

Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, is known not only for its breathtaking natural attractions such as the Underground River and Honda Bay, but also for its rich and colorful festivals. These celebrations reflect the city’s deep connection with nature, history, and culture, while highlighting the community spirit of its people. Throughout the year, locals and visitors alike take part in events that combine environmental stewardship, traditional practices, culinary experiences, and cultural pride. This article explores the major festivals of Puerto Princesa, providing a comprehensive look at how the city celebrates life, nature, and heritage.

Love Affair with Nature (February 14)

While Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide with flowers, chocolates, and romantic dinners, Puerto Princesa has its own extraordinary way of expressing love—through nature. Every February 14, the city hosts the annual Love Affair with Nature, a festival dedicated to restoring and protecting the environment. Instead of exchanging gifts, couples, families, schools, and organizations gather along the coastal areas to participate in mangrove tree-planting activities.

The event aims to restore degraded mangrove zones that are vital for protecting shorelines, providing nursery habitats for marine life, and combating climate change. It is a symbolic celebration of love not just between people, but also between humanity and the planet. Through the years, thousands of mangrove seedlings have been planted, creating green belts that continue to thrive today.

Balayong Festival (March 4)

Every March 4, Puerto Princesa commemorates its founding anniversary with the Balayong Festival. Named after the balayong tree, also known as the Palawan Cherry Blossom, the festival celebrates the beauty and resilience of this tree species, whose pink blossoms resemble those of Japan’s sakura.

The festival is marked by a lively street dancing competition where performers in colorful costumes reenact cultural stories and local traditions. A floral parade pays tribute to the cherry blossoms, while tree-planting activities ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the sight of balayong trees blooming across the city. Beyond the cultural highlights, the Balayong Festival also features sports competitions, historical exhibits, and socio-civic activities that bring together schools, organizations, and government institutions.

One of the key highlights is the “Tabuan” parade, derived from the Cuyunon word for marketplace. Farmers, fisherfolk, and vendors showcase the city’s agricultural and marine products, turning the streets into a lively trade fair and thanksgiving celebration for blessings and bountiful harvests.

Pangalipay sa Baybay (First Week of April)

As the summer season begins, Puerto Princesa ushers in the warmth of April with the Pangalipay sa Baybay, which translates to “Merriment by the Bay.” Held at the city’s scenic Baywalk Park along Puerto Princesa Bay, this festival offers a mix of entertainment, cultural shows, and seaside fun.

The celebration kicks off with a parade and is followed by concerts, food fairs, and fireworks displays. Families stroll by the waterfront enjoying local delicacies, while children participate in games and art activities. The festival embodies the community’s love for leisure, music, and togetherness, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking sunsets over the bay.

Kamarikutan Pagdiwata Arts Festival (April, During the Full Moon)

Puerto Princesa is not only rich in natural resources but also in artistic talent. The Kamarikutan Pagdiwata Arts Festival, usually held during the full moon in April, is a celebration of creativity and local artistry. The word “Pagdiwata” is derived from an indigenous ritual that pays homage to deities and spirits, and the festival incorporates this spiritual undertone into its artistic expression.

For a week, the city becomes a hub of workshops, art exhibits, live performances, and film screenings. Activities range from painting and sculpture classes to music, dance, and creative writing workshops. In the evenings, concerts and cultural performances transform the festival into a lively celebration under the moonlight. Both established and emerging artists come together to showcase their talents, making this one of Puerto Princesa’s most distinctive and soulful festivals.

Seafood Festival (Third Week of April)

As an island city surrounded by rich fishing grounds, Puerto Princesa takes pride in its marine bounty. The Seafood Festival, held in the third week of April, pays tribute to the ocean’s generosity by highlighting Palawan’s culinary treasures.

During this gastronomic event, local restaurants and food stalls serve an array of seafood specialties—from grilled fish and prawns to exotic shellfish and crabs. Cooking demonstrations, culinary competitions, and seafood buffets allow visitors to experience both traditional Palawan cuisine and contemporary seafood dishes. The festival also serves as a platform for sustainable fishing advocacy, reminding both locals and tourists of the importance of preserving marine resources for future generations.

Karagatan Festival (First Week of May)

In celebration of the Month of the Ocean, Puerto Princesa hosts the Karagatan Festival every first week of May. The word “karagatan” means “ocean” in Filipino, and the festival highlights the city’s strong bond with the sea.

Held on the beaches of the city’s western coast, the four-day event is a showcase of fun-filled and eco-friendly seaside activities. These include coastal clean-ups, banca races, kite-flying competitions, sand sculpting contests, and beach sports like volleyball and football. Adventurers also participate in mountain-to-sea treks and biking challenges. Evenings are filled with concerts, beach parties, and cultural performances, often capped by the much-anticipated “Weskini Bikini Open”, which draws large crowds.

The Karagatan Festival is both recreational and educational, reminding participants of the need to care for the oceans while celebrating the joy and abundance they bring.

Feast of the Forest (Third Week of June)

Another eco-centered celebration unique to Puerto Princesa is the Feast of the Forest. Held every third week of June, this reforestation festival brings together thousands of participants from all walks of life to plant trees in denuded areas of the city.

Unlike typical festivals, the Feast of the Forest is a hands-on environmental activity. Instead of parades or dances, participants head into designated reforestation sites armed with seedlings of native tree species. Together, they plant thousands of trees, creating forests that will benefit future generations. This activity not only strengthens Puerto Princesa’s reputation as a green city but also fosters a sense of collective responsibility among its citizens and visitors. After the planting, the day ends with communal meals, music, and thanksgiving rituals.

Baragatan sa Palawan (Third Week of June)

Following the Feast of the Forest, Puerto Princesa also hosts the province-wide Baragatan sa Palawan Festival during the third week of June. The term “baragatan” is a Cuyunon word that means “meeting” or “convergence,” and the festival truly embodies this spirit.

The Baragatan celebrates the establishment of Palawan’s civil government and serves as a gathering of municipalities and cultural groups from across the province. Highlights include the Grand Parade, where delegations showcase their town’s products and traditions; the Mutya ng Palawan beauty pageant; trade fairs featuring handicrafts, agricultural goods, and seafood; and nightly cultural shows that display the diversity of Palawan’s indigenous and migrant communities. With its wide scope and rich variety, Baragatan is one of the most anticipated festivals in the province.

City Fiesta (December 8)

Puerto Princesa closes the year with its City Fiesta, held every December 8 in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the city’s patron saint. The fiesta begins with religious activities such as novenas, processions, and a grand mass, but the celebration extends far beyond the spiritual observances.

For weeks leading up to Christmas, the city comes alive with nightly cultural shows, agro-industrial and tourism fairs, food festivals, and yuletide concerts. A giant Christmas tree is lit in the city center, accompanied by fireworks that illuminate the night sky. Families gather at the Baywalk, while schools and organizations participate in chorale competitions and lantern parades. The City Fiesta reflects the Filipinos’ deep-rooted tradition of combining faith, family, and festivity.

Other Seasonal and Community Events

Apart from the major festivals, Puerto Princesa also hosts smaller events throughout the year, including barangay fiestas, cultural shows, and food fairs. These community-level celebrations provide visitors with opportunities to experience local hospitality on a more intimate scale, often with traditional music, dancing, and home-cooked meals shared among neighbors and guests.