2023 Holidays in the Philippines (and where to go!)
List of 2023 Holidays in the Philippines (and my personal suggestions where to go!)
As 2023 is drawing nearer and nearer, here is the list of the 2023 Holidays in the Philippines and my personal suggestions where you can enjoy each holiday! Happy reading!
*Regular Holiday / *Special Non-Working Holiday
January 1 – New Year’s Day (Sunday)
CEBU PROVINCE
Read also:
(1) Bantayan Island Travel Guide – Cebu’s Island Paradise
(2) Things to do in Cebu (during a layover)
Badian Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu
*File leave – January 2 (Monday)
Why not welcome 2023 in the Queen City of the South – Cebu! You will not only enjoy the capital city of the island province, but it is also a good way to explore the outskirts of Cebu Province! You can (1) enjoy canyoneering in Badian with Kawasan Falls as its closing remarks, (2) hike your way up to Osmeña Peak in Dalaguete, (3) Go whale-shark watching and bask in Sumilon Island in Oslob, and top your visit to Simala Shrine in Sibonga. You can also visit Magellan’s Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City, and Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island.
January 22 – Chinese New Year (Sunday)
BINONDO, MANILA
The Binondo Welcome Arch
What is Chinese New Year if you will not celebrate it in one of the oldest Chinatowns in the World – Binondo! Binondo is famous for their ages-old, authentic Chinese Restaurants, some have been handed down for many generations. The district is also a popular sight for the Binondo Food Crawl because of the myriad of restaurant and food choices and all comes in affordable and delicious!
February 25 – EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Saturday)
BAGUIO CITY
Read also: 5 things you should know about Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival
Baguio’s Panagbenga Flower Festival
*Extend until February 26 (Sunday)
Since it is the season of blossoming in the highlands, why not celebrate Panagbenga, or the Baguio Flower Festival in Baguio City and enjoy the cool breeze of the Summer Capital! The month long celebration of the Flower Festival is mainly highlighted by the Street Dance and the Floral Float competitions (held usually on the last weekend of February, depending on schedule). Hopefully, the Baguio Flower Festival will stage a full-fledged event in 2023, after a 2-year hiatus because of the pandemic. This is one of the most anticipated festivals up north every February.
April 6 – 8 – Holy Week / April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) / Easter Sunday
MARINDUQUE
Since it is the Holy Week in the Roman Catholic calendar, it is but proper to experience one of the most symbolic festivals in the Philippines – Moriones Festival. It is one of the 2023 Holidays in the Philippines that always falls during the Holy Week that is dedicated to the half-blind Roman Soldier, Longinus, who pierced Jesus in his side during his crucifixion. Legend has it that when blood fell into the eyes of Longinus, his sight returned.
May 1 – Labor Day (Monday)
NEGROS ORIENTAL and SIQUIJOR
Read also:
(1) Dumaguete City has “Duma-Got-Me!”
(2) Siquijor – Discovering Philippines’ “Isla del Fuego”
Paliton Beach, San Juan, Siquijor
*Long weekend – (April 29 – May 1)
Two of the up-and-coming tourist destinations in the Visayas are the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor. These are the places I personally recommend visiting during Labor Day. You can have a (1) City Touraround Dumaguete City, (2) Visit the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, Sulfur Vents Highway, and Pulangbato Twin Falls in Valencia, (3) and you should also not miss the Maldives of the Philippines – Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais City / Manjuyod. In Siquijor Island, you can tour around even in 1 day! The highlights of the island include Cambugahay Falls and the Old Enchanted Balete Tree in Lazi, and the Siquijor Boulevard and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Siquijor municipality.
June 12 – Independence Day (Monday)
ILOCOS SUR
Read also: Must-see Tourist Spots in the province of Ilocos Sur!
*Long weekend – (June 10 – 12)
If you still ponder on where you would want to spend Independence Day, I personally recommend that you visit Ilocos Sur. There is so much culture in the province, especially in its capital, Vigan City – where you can (1) enjoy strolling along Calle Crisologo and Plaza Burgos, (2) make a clay pot in the Pagburnayan, and visit Baluarte Park, too! You can also have a quick side trip in Bantay Belltower in Bantay, which is only roughly around 5-10 minutes away from Vigan City.
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day (Monday)
ABRA
Kaparkan Falls, Tineg, Abra
*Long weekend – (August 19 – 21)
If you have not yet explored much of the Cordillera Region, might as well visit the province of Abra! (1) You can start your journey through the province by going to the much-celebrated Kaparkan Falls and Apao Rolling Hills in Tineg. (2) You can also visit historic churches in Bangued, Tayum, Bucay, and Dolores. (3) Visit Sir Teofilo Garcia, the famous “tabungaw” hat maker in San Quintin and visit Leila’s Abel Loomweaving Center in La Paz. (4) Enjoy the beauty of Lusuac Springs and Ar-arbis Falls in Lagayan. Of course, when visiting Abra, eating Abra Miki should not be missed!
August 28 – National Heroes Day (Monday)
SIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Read also: Siargao Island: Things to see and do in PH’s Surfing Capital
Magpupungko Tidal Pools and Flats, Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte
*Long weekend – (August 26 – 28)
Since waves in the Pacific Ocean Side of the Philippines get bigger during these ‘monsoon months,’ having a surf break in the Surfing Capital of the Philippines is one for the books. Siargao Island has long been a haven for surfers and vacationers alike, while enjoying the natural, laid-back ambiance of the whole island.
November 1 and 2 – All Saint’s Day and All Souls’ Day (Wednesday, Thursday)
MOUNT APO, DAVAO / COTABATO
*File leave – November 3 (Friday); Extend until November 5 (Sunday)
If you are looking to conquer the mountains of Mindanao at this time of the year – this is your sign to climb the highest peak in the Philippines – Mount Apo (2,954 – 3,143 masl)! The climb to Apo’s peak would normally take 3 days and 2 nights and several sights would also be seen along the way!
November 30 – Bonifacio Day (Thursday)
LEYTE and BILIRAN
Read also: Sambawan Island (Maripipi, Biliran) Travel Guide
Sambawan Island, Maripipi, Biliran
*File leave – December 1 (Friday); Extend until December 3 (Sunday)
Visiting these neighboring provinces in Eastern Visayas is the best option I can suggest during this holiday. In Leyte, you can have a bounty city tour in Tacloban City and visit the San Juanico Bridge bordering Sta. Rita, Samar. In Biliran, you can tour around Naval, and visit Ulan-Ulan Falls in Almeria. You should also not miss visiting Sambawan Island in the municipality of Maripipi.
December 8 – Immaculate Conception (Friday)
BISLIG CITY and HINATUAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR
Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur
*Long weekend – (December 8 – 10)
Two of the most visited places in Surigao Del Sur are Bislig City and Hinatuan. Approximately 4 – 5 hours away from Butuan City, this municipality-city tandem boasts two of the most visited tourist attractions in Eastern Mindanao. In Bislig City, you can visit Tinuy-an Falls and Lake 77, and in Hinatuan, you can visit the Sibadan Fishcage and Enchanted River.
December 25 – Christmas Day (Monday)
PAMPANGA
Giant Lantern Festival, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
*Long weekend – (December 8 – 10)
Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is one of the longest seasons in the world, starting on the first day of September until the first week of January of the following year. Christmas Day is one of the 2023 Holidays in the Philippines that is celebrated so dearly and celebrating it in the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, is quite fitting. You can enjoy the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) in San Fernando Cityand enjoy authentic sisig dish in Aling Lucing’s in the City of Angeles.
December 30 – Rizal Day (Saturday) / December 31 – New Year’s Eve (Sunday)
BORACAY ISLAND, MALAY, AKLAN
Read also: Boracay: (Things to see and do) in the New Normal
White Beach, Boracay Island
*Extend until January 1 (Monday)
Welcome 2024 in one of the best islands in world – Boracay! This tropical island in the municipality of Malay, Aklan is one of the most celebrated islands in the Philippines. Boasting its white sand shores and the famous Boracay sunset, ushering in the New Year is more than fitting in Boracay – while enjoying everything that is tropical!
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*A separate Proclamation Observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha as 2023 Holidays in the Philippines will be done after the dates of the holidays have been determined according to the Islamic Calendar.*
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