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Fishermen in costume miming a night haul during a coastal street dance
In June

Palawod Festival

Bantayan

Bantayan's fishing festival, danced out as a night at sea

  • DatesJune 11–12, 2027
  • Duration2 days
  • AdmissionFree entry
  • VenueBantayan town plaza and the municipal wharf

Where to stay for Palawod Festival

3 nights · Arrive Thursday, June 10, leave Sunday, June 13 — the day before and the day after

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About This Festival

Palawod means to go out to sea, and the dance is a night's fishing compressed into ten minutes: the launch, the wait, the haul, and the argument over the catch.

It is performed by the fishing barangays themselves rather than by trained contingents, which makes it rougher and considerably more fun than the provincial competitions.

What to Expect

  • A wharf-side start, moving to the plaza
  • Boats decorated and lit along the shore
  • An island in low season — the beaches are empty

Getting There

Bus from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya, then the ferry to Santa Fe, then a tricycle across to Bantayan town — around five hours in total.

Past Editions

  • 2026 editionJune 12–13, 2026
  • 2025 editionJune 13–14, 2025

Next edition

June 11–12, 2027

Held in June, around the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Venue

Bantayan town plaza, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

Bantayan town plaza and the municipal wharfGet Directions to Bantayan town plaza and the municipal wharf (opens in a new tab)

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