Pampanga Festivals

Festivals in Pampanga are mostly related to Catholic religious practices.  The remaining traditions are
made to good harvest and bountiful year of the farmers and fishermen.  Most of the town made annual
celebrations to promote their products and preserve the Kapampangan tradition.El Circulo Fernandino -
is the prestigious social event of the rich in the City of San Fernando. It has been established since 1920
and held every year.  It is a night full of luster because of the gorgeous women wearing their most best
expensive jewelries, gowns and ternos.Sinukwan Festival  - Aring Sinukwan (King Sinukwan) is a god of
the ancient Kapampangans. The celebration participated by representatives of different towns of
Pampanga.  Street dancing is the highlight of this event, each delegates dance to the tune of the
Pampanga Song “Atin ku pong singsing” in their elegant headdresses and colorful costumes.Makatapak
Festival –“ Makatapak” is a Kapampangan word means barefoot. This festival is the famous re-
enactment of the town people in Apalit who walked through lahar in barefoot to look for a safer place to
stay after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival – held annually in Omni
Aviation Complex inside Clark Freeport Zone.  It features multicolored hot air balloons from around the
globe, it is the biggest aviation sports event in the Philippines.Sabuaga Festival – held every morning of
Easter Sunday.  Flower petals are strewn while the procession of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary
passes.  “Sabuaga” means showering of flowers; this has been celebrated in Sto. Tomas to honor the
Blessed Mother Mary.  Street dancing also follows to promote the products and traditions of the
town.Caragan Festival – Caragan is the name of the first chieftain of the native Aeta.  It is held every
third week of February through street dancing.  The Aetas lead the presentation showcasing their
customs and traditions in their native costumes.San Pedro Cutud Cricifixion Rites – at 3pm every Good
Friday, there is an actual nailing on the cross of three flagellants in the town of San Pedro Cutud.  This is
now an international tourist’s attraction.Pyestang Tugak – Pyestang Tugak or Frog Festival which started
in 2003 in City of San Fernando.  Its aim is to preserve the Kapampangan culture and to promote the
Pampanga’s unique frog cuisine.Giant Lantern Festival – City if San Fernando is known to be the
Christmas Capital of the Philipplines. Seven barangays from City of San Fernando are participating in the
contest of the giant lantern competition. 20 feet diameter lanterns with thousands of dancing lights are
being judge and display every Saturday before Christmas.Duman Festival – this tradition of pounding
and winnowing unripe glutinous rice till it turns to a green delicacy called duman with a sweet and
delicious small.  This is held every first Saturday of December in Sta. Rita Parish Church.Apung Iru Fluvial
Festival – this is a fluvial parade of the image of St. Peter or the local called Apung Iru starts every June
27 and culminates on June 29. Decorative pagoda is carried and ferried by men along Pampanga river
routes.  Devoteed are riding in colorfully decorated boats are praying around the images.Ibun-ebun
Festival – “Ibun” means bird “Ebun” means egg.  This festival in the town of Candaba is a tribute to the
productive duck egg industry.  Dumara are the wild Philippine duck which successfully breeds in
Candaba Swamp