Masskara Festival - The MassKara Festival is here again! Read all about how to participate in one of the Philippines’ biggest and most colorful festivals.

Masskara Festival 2024 – October 27, 2024

The MassKara Festival is an annual festival held in Bacolod, Philippines, culminating on the fourth Sunday in October. It takes place on October 23 this year. As one of the nation’s biggest festivals, it’s been known as a time for locals and foreigners to have fun, drink, and party on the city streets for over 40 years. Starting in 1980, the MassKara Festival was born out of a crisis and tragedy when the prices of sugar, the primary livelihood source, were at an all-time low. Besides this, a tragic ferry incident happened this year, and the MassKara Festival was held to lift the spirit of the locals.

History of Masskara Festival

The MassKara Festival started in 1980 during the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The prices of sugar, the province’s main agricultural crop and livelihood source, were at a record low following the introduction of sugar alternatives into the market. Consequently, two artists came up with the idea of promoting mask making as an alternative source of income for the locals. In the same year, a tragic ferry incident occurred — the MV Don Juan sank, resulting in the deaths of many people from the province. The MassKara Festival was then created to bring back smiles and uplift the locals’ spirits during those difficult times.The smiling masks used in the festival were a declaration of Bacolod locals’ resilience in the face of challenges and tragedy, prompting the city to become known as the “City of Smiles.” The festival name is a portmanteau of the words ‘mass’ (many) and ‘kara’ (faces), thus forming ‘MassKara,’ or the Festival of Many Faces. Before the festival, the masks were sold to tourists as the province’s signature souvenirs. Since the celebration’s inception, however, the smiling masks have become a symbol of the exciting festival.The highlight of the MassKara Festival is a dance competition, where participants don colorful costumes and vibrant, smiling masks and dance to Latin music. Besides this, there is Bacolod’s biggest street party, Electric MassKara. As the most awaited festival event, this night parade features LED-lit dancers, bands, and floats. Other activities include the MassKara Festival Queen beauty pageant, food festivals, and float parade. The festival, flooded by locals and tourists, is renowned for its colorful decorations and masks.

Masskara Festival timeline

1980
Low Sugar Prices

Sugar prices plunge to a record low.

April 1980
MV Don Juan

MV Don Juan collides with the tanker Tacloban City and sinks in Tablas Strait.

October 1980
The MassKara Festival

The MassKara Festival is held to raise the spirits of the locals.

October 30, 2021
Virtual Festival

MassKara Festival is held with only a virtual audience.

Masskara Festival FAQs

Is the MassKara Festival religious?

The MassKara Festival is a non-religious festival.

What is the most important festival in the Philippines?

Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is the most celebrated festival in the Philippines as an annual, cultural and religious festival.

What language is spoken in Bacolod?

Most people in Bacolod speak Hiligaynon, while others speak Cebuano.

Masskara Festival Activities

  1. Go to the festival

    The only way to celebrate the MassKara Festival is by indulging yourself in it. It’s time for you to have fun, drink, and party on the Bacolod streets.

  2. Wear comfortable shoes

    There is plenty of walking and dancing during the festival. You may want to wear your most comfortable shoes while partying.

  3. Try everything

    The MassKara Festival is one of the country’s biggest festivals, and many activities occur. Try everything you can during this festival — the food, party, and more!

5 Facts About Bacolod You Need To Know

  1. It used to be on a hill

    Bacolod’s was originally located on a hill, not on the shoreline.

  2. It has the best chicken inasal

    Bacolod is home to Inasal Street, known for the best chicken inasal, a well-known grilled chicken dish.

  3. It’s the “Football City” of the Philippines

    Besides being the “City of Smiles, Bacolod is known as the nation’s “Football City.”

  4. MassKara isn’t the Mother of Festivals

    The MassKara Festival may be one of the biggest festivals in Bacolod City, but the Panaad Festival, held every April, is known as the Mother of Festivals.

  5. It’s home to sweets

    Because sugar is the province’s primary industry, Bacolod is home to various sweets, including ‘barquillos,’ ‘biscocho,’ ‘napoleones,’ and ‘piaya.’

Why We Love Masskara Festival

  1. It’s an important declaration

    Born out of crises, the MassKara Festival is celebrated as a declaration of the will to survive challenges and tragedies. It’s celebrated to bring back the smiles of locals.

  2. It’s a whole lot of fun

    With a dancing competition, Electric MassKara, and MassKara Festival Queen beauty pageant, this festival will surely be packed with entertainment. Visitors can drink and party on the city streets.

  3. It’s a reminder

    The MassKara Festival shows that we can choose how we react to the different challenges we face. Smiles can represent a positive attitude toward facing challenges.

Masskara Festival dates

Year Date Day
2022 October 23 Sunday
2023 October 22 Sunday
2024 October 27 Sunday
2025 October 26 Sunday
2026 October 25 Sunday