ILOILO Dinagyang Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities, Street Dancing Route, How To Get There, Things To Do and Where To Stay

Dinagyang Festival 2014 is a religious and cultural celebration showcasing the rich heritage, colorful history and passionate devotion of the Ilonggos to the Senyor Sto. Niño. Held annually on the fourth weekend of January, Dinagyang Festival is as grand as Iloilo's old churches and mansions. Dinagyang is an Ilonggo term for "merrymaking"; thus, thousands of tourists and devotees flock to the streets of Iloilo City to join the celebrations and to witness the grand performances of different tribes as they dance to the beat of the drums in excellent folk choreography.

Aside from the many activities happening throughout the whole month of January, the highlights of Dinagyang Festival 2014 falls on the 4th weekend of the month with the Fluvial procession, Kasadyahan and the Dinagyang Ati competitions. For 2014, it will be on January 24-26, 2014. Be sure to save the dates of the festival and plan your trip ahead.

Dinagyang Festival 2014 Schedule (Highights)

January 24, 2014 (Friday)
Fluvial Procession along Iloilo River

January 25, 2014 (Saturday)
Kasadyahan Festival

January 26, 2014 (Sunday)
Dinagyang 2014 Ati-ati tribe competition

UPDATED DINAGYANG 2014 SCHEDULE

December 2013
13 December (Friday)
3:00PM – Pamukaw (“Awakening” activity)

January 2014
January 17, 2014 (Friday)
3:00PM – Opening Salvo along the Street Parade Route (refer to festival route map for details)

January 22, 2014 (Thursday)
7:00PM – Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Festival Coronation Night at University of San Agustin Gym

January 23-26, 2014 (Thursday to Sunday)
5:00PM onwards – Dinagyang IHRRA Food Festival at Delgado Street

January 24, 2014 (Friday)
7:30AM – Salvo of a Thousand Drums at Arroyo Fountain Area
8:00AM – Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika from Bonifacio Drive to Freedom Grandstand
3:00PM – Religious Fluvial and Solemn Foot Procession of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu. From Fort San Pedro to Iloilo Customs House, followed by solemn foot procession to San Jose de Placer Church (refer to foot and fluvial procession map for details)

January 25, 2014 (Saturday)
8:00AM – Kasadyahan Regional Festival along the Street Parade Route (refer to festival route map for details)
2:00PM – Sponsors Mardi-Gras along the Street Parade Route (refer to festival route map for details)
7:00PM – Religious Sadsad at San Jose de Placer Parish Church

January 26, 2014 (Sunday)
6:00AM – Concelebrated High Mass at San Jose de Placer Parish Church
8:00AM – Iloilo Dinagyang Ati Contest along the Street Parade Route (refer to festival route map for details)
7:00PM – Awarding Ceremonies at Freedom Grandstand

Dinagyang Festival 2014 Route

With this year's theme "Bringing More Fun to the World" there will be 13 tribes expected to perform. The street dance performance will be a carousel type where participating tribes will simultaneously perform in each of the four judging areas: Freedom Grandstand, Quezon-Ledesma Streets, Iloilo Provincial Capitol and Ma. Clara Street which are all within the city proper area.

10 Things To Do in (and near) Iloilo City before/after Dinagyang Festival

1. Visit Iloilo's century-old churches (Don't miss: Miag-ao Church and San Joaquin Church)
2. Take a stroll along the Iloilo River Esplanade
3. Savor the best in local and seafood cuisine at the wide array of restaurants along Arevalo District's shoreline
4. Visit Museo Iloilo, the repository of Iloilo's cultural heritage
5. Take a look at the old buildings along Calle Real (JM Basa St.)
6. View the picturesque island province of Guimaras from historic Fort San Pedro
7. Visit the piña, jusi and hablon weaving industry in Arevalo District
8. Go on a food trip! You should not miss La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, coffee at Madge's (inside the public market), cheesecakes at Dulgies (Delgado) and siopao at Roberto's (Calle Real)
9. Take a side trip to Guimaras Island
10. Bring home some pasalubong of Iloilo's famous delicacies like pinasugbo (banana brittle), barquillos (local wafer) and biscocho (buttered toasted bread)

How to Get to Iloilo

The fastest way to reach Iloilo City is via a direct flight from Manila. Most local airlines have several flights daily to Iloilo from Manila, Cebu or Davao. By plane, it takes 55 minutes from Manila, about 25 minutes from Cebu, and 1 hour from Davao. Iloilo Airport 30 minutes away from Iloilo City, to get to the city proper you may take a taxi or the shuttle service with drop-off point at SM City Iloilo.

By sea, it takes about 20 hours from Manila to Iloilo by ferry. It can also be reached from Zamboanga (16 hours); Cagayan de Oro (14 hours); Cebu (12 hours) or Bacolod City (1 hour). Airfares tend to shoot up during festival season, your best next option (if you're on budget) is to fly-in via Bacolod or Roxas City which would take 1 hour (by ferry) and 3 hours by van or bus to reach Iloilo City, respectively.

Where to Stay in Iloilo City

Iloilo City has a several affordable and high quality hotels, hostels, guest/pension houses and inns for you to stay in! Due to the festive season it is necessary that you plan your Dinagyang 2014 trip in advance. Book for your accommodation as early as now as accommodations tend to become fully-booked on the festival week. Here's my recommended accommodation in Iloilo City: Iloilo Budget Inn, Castilla EL-98 Jaro Iloilo City.

Hala Bira! Viva Senyor Santo Niño! Enjoy the Dinagyang 2014 celebrations, the food and the warm hospitality of the people of Iloilo City!

Photos were used with permission from Rob Pinzon of www.robinspinzon.com and www.palibut.com.