Quick Facts
🇵🇭Philippines
22–23 November 2026
Angono festival honouring San Clemente (Nov 22-23): giant papier-mache higantes parade, basaan water dousing, and a…
Higantes Festival 2026
22–23 November 2026🇵🇭 Philippines
About Higantes Festival
Angono festival honouring San Clemente (Nov 22-23): giant papier-mache higantes parade, basaan water dousing, and a fluvial procession on Laguna de Bay.
Travel Guide & Tips
What It Is
Higantes is the festival of Angono, Rizal — the country's art capital — held around November 22-23 in honour of San Clemente, patron of fishermen. It is famous nationwide for its parade of towering papier-mache giants.
The Giants
The higantes are 10-12-foot papier-mache figures with hollow bodies a dancer wears from inside. Tradition traces them to the Spanish era, when townsfolk caricatured their overbearing hacienda landlords — once limited to three giants, now numbering in the dozens.
Basaan & Fluvial Procession
The image of San Clemente is carried in a lively procession amid the basaan — a joyful dousing of participants with water — and a fluvial parade of decorated boats (parehador) along Laguna de Bay.
When & Where
In Angono town proper on November 22-23, centred on the San Clemente Parish and the streets leading to the lakeshore. Easily reached as a day trip east of Metro Manila.
Where to Celebrate
Tap a venue for directions.
Key Details
Related Events in Philippines
Plan Your Time Off
Long weekends near this holiday — maximize your days off.
Araw ni Bonifacio
28–30 November 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Higantes Festival 2026?
- Higantes Festival 2026 is November 22, 2026 to November 23, 2026 in Philippines.
- Is Higantes Festival a public holiday in Philippines?
- Higantes Festival is not an official public holiday in Philippines. Most businesses remain open, though tourism areas may be affected.
- How many days is Higantes Festival 2026?
- Higantes Festival 2026 lasts 2 day(s), from November 22, 2026 to November 23, 2026.