Higalaay Festival in the Philippines 2024

Every August, the city of Cagayan de Oro organizes the Higalaay Festival, a "Friendship Festival" (the Cebuano word "higala" refers to "friend"). The host city is named "The City of Golden Friendship" thanks to its friendly and hospitable townspeople.

Festival Highlights

Initially, the festival was supposed to honor St. Augustine, the city's patron saint. Nowadays, the festival is extended to the entire month, packed with numerous events, attractions, and surprises. Of course, the main attraction is the Cagayan de Oro Carnival Parade, a colorful street dancing competition. Music and dancing are organized to celebrate friendship as the brightest relationship possible among people.

Program & Schedule

Visitors can enjoy a month full of diverse events. Highlights of the first week's main program include the Higalaay Fire Olympics (August 7), City Fiesta Trade Fair: 2024 Tinagboan Festival (August 7-10), the 2nd Kagay-an International Dragon Boat Race (August 10-11). Higalaay Festival Market will take place on the Rio de Oro Boulevard from August 9 to August 31. Core festival events feature tightly-contested competitions such as street dancing on August 26, the Miss Cagayan de Oro pageant on August 24, a civic-military parade on August 27, rhythmic field demonstrations on August 25, and the Cagayan de Oro Fiesta sa Barrio on August 16, showcasing various traditional Filipino games.

Activities

The Kumbira Culinary Show celebrates the richness of local cuisine, offering a chance to experience regional flavors and culinary traditions. As the longest-running annual culinary show and festival in the Philippines, it provides a delectable journey through the region's tastes and draws food enthusiasts from across the country. The event is usually held at Limketkai Center. This year, it will start on August 16.

The Higalas Parade of Floats and Icons, featuring participants from the city's educational institutions, civic groups, fraternities and sororities, and various establishments, is a highlight viewed by thousands of citizens and tourists lining the parade route. The festival also features dazzling performances and fireworks displays that light up the Higalaay Festival celebrations.

Location

Rio de Oro Boulevard, which opened to the public on May 26, 2023, is being promoted as a prime tourist and recreational site. It has already hosted major events, including the city's annual Higalaay Festival and various Christmas activities.