BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL Schedule of Events, Winners, How To Get There, Things To Do, Where To Stay and More!

Bacolod Masskara Festival 2017

Bacolod City's Masskara Festival is one of my favorite festivals in the Philippines. Held every October, it is Bacolod City's annual "festival of smile"s where colorful masks are worn to show the happy spirit and the positive approach towards life of the Negrenses. Are you ready for Masskara Festival 2017?! Check out this year's schedule of activities! I also shared some things to do in Bacolod, DIY itinerary, where to stay, list of winners, and more!

Kari sa na sa Bacolod kag mag sinadya sa Masskara Festival 2017!

Masskara Festival 2017 Schedule of Activities

Just recently, an ordinace was passed by the City of Bacolod setting Masskara Festival to be held every 4th Sunday of October which gives the festival a fixed date. This 2017, Masskara Festival 2017 highlights are happening on October 21 and 22, 2017 with the lively and colorful street dancing and arena dance competitions for schools and barangay categories.

Masskara Festival 2017 Highlights

• October 21, 2017 (Saturday) - Street Dancing and Arena Competitions (Schools Category)
• October 22, 2017 (Sunday) - Street Dancing and Arena Competitions (Barangay Category)

There will be a lot of events happening around the city during the Masskara Festival 2017 celebrations for the whole month of October. This post shall be updated as soon a more detailed schedule of activities is released by the organizers.

Save the dates of Masskara Festival 2017 and plan your trip ahead!

How to Get to Bacolod City?

• Bacolod City, the Capital of Negros Occidental is an hour plane ride from Manila or 30 minutes by air from Cebu City. Major airlines fly several times daily to Bacolod City from Manila and Cebu.
• By sea it is an 18-hour ferry ride from Manila or if you're coming from Iloilo, it is an hour ferry ride.
• By land and sea, it is 7 hours away from Cebu City.

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN BACOLOD! ]

How to Get in and Out of Bacolod-Silay Airport?

The Bacolod-Silay International Airport is located 15 kilometers northeast of Bacolod City, in Barangay Bagtic in Silay City. Due to its location, getting in and out of the airport is quite a challege especially for first-timers. You may checkout my detailed post in "How to Get in and Out of Bacolod-Silay Airport" by clicking HERE.

HOTELS: Where to Stay in Bacolod City?

During Masskara Festival, I highly recommend that you book your accommodation in advance. Although, Bacolod City has a wide array of affordable and high quality hotels, guest/pension houses, hostel and inns for you to stay in, they get fully booked as the festival date comes near. You should book your accommodation as early as now! Here are 2 of my recommended accommodations in Bacolod City which I have personally tried:

• Saltimboca Pension (17th Lacson St., Bacolod City)
• Star Plus Pension Inn (Lacson-Rosario St., Bacolod City)

SEE ALSO:

• BACOLOD ACCOMMODATION: Cheap Lodges, Rooms, Homestay, Pension Houses, Hotels and Resorts

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN BACOLOD! ]

Top Things to do in (and near) Bacolod City

If you're visiting Bacolod City to witness Masskara Festival 2017, why not take this opportunity to explore and enjoy the different tourist spots and attractions in (and near) the City? Here are my suggestions.

• Swim and Hike at Mambukal Resort in the nearby town of Murcia
• Visit "The Ruins" in Talisay City
• Visit San Sebastian Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace
• Climb Pope John Paul II Tower
• Walk through the heritage houses in Silay
• Go Cultural and Explore Silay City
• Drop by the Capitol Grounds and Lagoon
• Indulge on Chicken Inasal, cakes from Calea and Silay recipes of Paño-paño, Pili Bars, Fresh Lumpia, Empanada and Guapple Pie
• Bring home some pasalubong of Piaya, Napoleones, Pinasugbo and other Bacolod delicacies

ALSO READ: Top 10 Things To Do in Bacolod City

Masskara Festival 4-day DIY Itinerary

DAY 1 (October 20, 2017)

• Travel to Bacolod City
• Arrival in Silay-Bacolod Airport
• Travel to Bacolod City
• Check-in at the hotel
• Travel to the town of Murcia
• Swim and Hike at Mambukal Resort in the nearby town of Murcia
• Travel back to Bacolod City
• Visit "The Ruins" in Talisay City
• Go back to the hotel and rest

DAY 2 (October 21, 2017)

• Explore the city in the morning
• Watch Masskara Festival 2017 (Schools Category) Street Dancing and Arena competition in the afternoon
• Food trip and party at night
• Go back to the hotel and rest

DAY 3 (October 22, 2017)

• Buy souvenirs and pasalubong in the morning
• Explore the other attractions in Bacolod City
• Witness Masskara Festival 2017 (Barangay Category) Street Dancing and Arena competition in the afternoon
• Food trip and party at night
• Go back to the hotel and rest

DAY 4 (October 23, 2017)

• Check-out of the hotel in the morning
• Travel to Silay
• Walk through the heritage houses in Silay
• Go Cultural and Explore Silay City's museum, church, and old houses
• Go to Silay-Bacolod Airport
• FLy out of Bacolod City

ALSO READ: A local's guide to Bacolod City, "8 Tips and Tricks for First-time Travelers"

List of Winners

MASSKARA FESTIVAL STREET & ARENA COMPETITION (Brgy Category)

GRAND CHAMPION: Barangay 18 (also won Best in Costume, Best in Mask, Best in Concept, and Best in Choreography)
FIRST RUNNER-UP: Barangay Pta. Taytay
SECOND RUNNER-UP: Barangay Mandalagan
THIRD RUNNER-UP: Barangay Tangub
FOURTH RUNNER-UP: Barangay Alijis

Don't miss Bacolod City's Masskara Festival 2017! It's definitely one of the must-see celebrations and festivals in the Philippines!

Happy Masskara Festival 2017! Kari sa na sa Bacolod kag mag sinadya sa Masskara Festival! See you in Bacolod City!

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