MassKara Festival, Philippines

The MassKara Festival is the most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The vibrant celebration is held annually in October to honor Bacolod City’s history of art, culture and mask making. It features dozens of performances, parades, musical events and more.

The festival originally developed in conjunction with the fall of sugarcane as a viable crop in the region. As the local economy took a dive, local artists approached the mayor with the idea of shifting to mask making as an alternative way to make money. To boost this idea, they formed the first MassKara.

Today, the festival brings in thousands of guests from around the country, and even the world. The main event is a rollicking street dancing competition put on by troupes and individuals from around the Philippines. During the Electric MassKara, dancers fill the streets in colorful masks, outfits and lights to put on a brilliant display for onlookers.

Of course, the fun doesn’t end there. The festival also features carnivals, drum competitions, beauty pageants, food festivals, sporting events and a garden show. Guests are also entertained with live musical acts throughout the city. While the main events occur on the fourth Sunday in October, the festival itself runs two to three weeks on average.

Accommodations in the city fill up fast for the event, so be sure to book a room early or you might end up sleeping on the streets!