List of Bohol Festivals

SidlaKasilak or Festival of Lights of Loon  (Image credit to http://www.flickriver.com)

Sandugo Festival (July 1-31) 
This annual festival of the province commemorates the sandugo or blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi. The highlights of the festival are agro-industrial fair, cultural and historical showcase, sports events, a beauty pageant, balls and dances, entertainment shows, and streetdancing which culminate with the re-enactment of the blood compact or Sandugo between Datu Sikatuna and Don Miguel López de Legazpi.

SidlaKasilak or Festival of Lights (Loon, Bohol; August 30 - September 8) 
This annual festival of lights honors the "Birhen sa Kasilak" (Our Lady of Light), patroness of Loon. It also expresses the enduring qualities of the town. The Visayan words "sidlak" (rise) and "silak" (shine) best describe the character of Loonanons as they conquer life’s adversities and make the best out of their inherent talents and capabilities. The distinctive nature of SidlaKasilak is manifested in its being the only evening street dancing event in Bohol.

Agbunan Festival (June 28)
The culture and traditions of the people of San Isidro are displayed. The festival is a great means for the promotion of tourism, of ecological and agricultural and folk beliefs. The festival comprises a street-dancing and a showdown. Showcases of organic farm products from the different barangays of the town are also displayed.

Bolibongkingking Festival (May 23-24)
This is a music and dance festivity depicting the history, folklore, and traditions of the Loboc, Bohol. Bolibong Kingking is a term applied to the drums and gongs and their rhythm. Hudyaka sa Panglao (August 28) The Hudyaka sa Panglao takes place on August 28th every year in the grounds of its parish church. The ten barangays of the municipality compete fiercely with each other to see which the best of the best is. Its own dance festival brings back ex-Panglao residents from all over the world. Katigbawan Festival (June 17-24) Catigbian from other towns is its annual festival, the Katigbawan. A week-long festival comprising various activities like carabao-racing, hog-catching,and agrofair.

Pana-ad sa Loboc (Holy Thursday & Good Friday)
In observance of the Semana Santa or Holy Week, the Lobocanons read the "Pasyon" and do a penitential procession through the way of the cross that culminates at "Cruz Daku," a huge cross 80 feet in height which is on top of the highest hill of Loboc. Pandayan Festival (February 27) The Pandayan Festival is held at Barangay Lonoy, Jagna to celebrate the canonical erection or the parochial anniversary of St. Joseph the Worker Parish. Activities include a nine-day novena in honor of the patron saint, a procession of the image of St. Joseph the Worker, Carpentry and Handicrafts Fair.

Sambat Mascara y Regatta Festival (1st Saturday of December) 
The festival is celebrated in honor of Loay town's second patron, St. Francis Xavier. Colorful activities are lined up, like the agro-industrial fair, group masked street dancing, drum and bugle competition, boat racing along the river, and many more. The event is highlighted by a fluvial parade of the image along the river.

Kasadyaan sa Napo (Napo, Loon, Bohol; First Sunday of February)
Started almost 20 years ago as a way of veneration of and thanksgiving to the Holy Child, this festival is a prelude to the May 25 fiesta of the barangay. The main feature of Kasadyaan is a street dancing competition participated in by its five traditional household clusters, namely, Inang-angan, Kabaybayunan, Tulay, Wawog and Tubig-Loon.

Sinugboan Festival (May 27) 
Sinugboan Festival is celebrated every 27th day of May in the Municipality of Garcia Hernandez. "Sinugboan" is a term closely related to the Cebuano word 'sugbo' meaning to wallow. The use of the vernacular past tense "sinugbo" denotes an event of historical import. The festival highlights the town's annual commemoration of her foundation day. Activities include agro-industrial fair, recognition program for achievers, various games and street dancing competition.

Sinu-og Estokada Festival (September 21) 
The Sinu-og Estokada Festival is celebrated at the town of Jagna in honor of their patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel where two groups, one coming from barangay Mayana and the other from Cabungaan, perform a native war dance during the vesper procession and also during the morning fluvial procession on the feast day itself which falls on September 29. The native war dance is performed with the accompaniment of a drum depicting the battle between the early Jagnaanon Christians and the invading Muslims from Mindanao.

Suroy sa Musikero (December 25 - February 2). 
This is when the town musicians of Loboc cover daily the assigned areas to partake of the food served by the host and to play music to the tune of Kuradang, Dalaga sa Baybayon, and others.

Bohol Fiestas (month of May)
A hallmark of Bohol, this is when a fiesta is celebrated by a town or a barrio each day for the whole month of May in honor of its patron saint. Fiestas are characterized by plenty of food and merriment.

Ubi Festival (January)
The festival institutionalizes the ubi crop as the agro-historical geographical-religious symbol of Bohol, giving the ubi the recognition it rightfully deserves in the market. The festival features an exhibit, ubi contest, an agri-business investment opportunities seminar, and a cultural show.

Article Source: Wikipedia