What is the best time to visit Philippines?

Best Time to Visit Philippines

The best time to travel to Philippines is during the dry season (November to April) and the summer season (May to October).

Dry Season in Philippines

The dry season in Philippines is from November to April. This is the most popular time to visit the country due to its pleasant weather. During this time, temperatures are cooler, and the humidity is lower than the rest of the year. Travelers can expect sunny days with occasional showers. This season is also the best time to visit the beaches and islands of the country. Popular festivals such as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo also take place during this time.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Philippines

Philippines in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in the Philippines, with temperatures ranging from 25-27°C (77-81°F). The weather is generally sunny with occasional rain showers.

Events

• New Year’s Day: January 1 is celebrated as New Year’s Day in the Philippines. It is a public holiday and is celebrated with fireworks, parades, and parties.
• Epiphany: January 6 is observed as Epiphany, the day the three wise men visited Jesus. It is a religious holiday celebrated with special church services.
• Sinulog Festival: The Sinulog Festival is held in Cebu City on the third Sunday of January. It is a colorful festival that celebrates the Santo Niño (Holy Child) with street parades, music, and dancing.
• Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year is celebrated in the Philippines on the second day of the first lunar month. It is a public holiday and is celebrated with traditional Chinese food, lion dances, and fireworks.
• Black Nazarene Feast: The Black Nazarene Feast is held in Quiapo Church in Manila on the ninth day of January. It is a religious festival that celebrates the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of Jesus.

Philippines in January

Weather

January in the Philippines is typically hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C. Rainfall is common during this month, with an average of 10-20 days of rain.

Events

• New Year’s Day – January 1st is celebrated as New Year’s Day in the Philippines. Celebrations include fireworks, parades, and feasts.
• Feast of the Black Nazarene – On January 9th, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated in Quiapo, Manila. The event is a religious procession in honor of the Black Nazarene.
• Sinulog Festival – The Sinulog Festival is a two-week celebration held in Cebu City from January 15th to January 31st. The festival celebrates the Santo Niño, the patron saint of Cebu.
• Chinese New Year – Chinese New Year is celebrated in the Philippines on January 25th. Celebrations include parades, fireworks, and feasts.
• EDSA Revolution Anniversary – On January 31st, the EDSA Revolution Anniversary is celebrated in the Philippines. This event marks the anniversary of the People Power Revolution, which overthrew the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

Philippines in March

Weather

March is the transition month between the dry and wet seasons in the Philippines. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F). The northern and eastern parts of the country experience more rainfall than the western and southern parts.

Events

• The Ati-Atihan Festival is held in Kalibo, Aklan to honor the Santo Niño. This festival is celebrated with parades, colorful costumes, and street dancing.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held in Clark, Pampanga. This event features hot air balloons from all over the world, as well as fireworks, kite-flying, and other activities.
• The Philippine International Jazz and Arts Festival is held in Manila. This event features performances from international and local jazz artists, as well as visual art exhibitions.
• The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is held in Manila. This event features spectacular fireworks displays from different countries, accompanied by music.
• The Baguio Flower Festival is held in Baguio City. This event features colorful flower arrangements, parades, and other activities.

Philippines in April

Weather

April is the start of the hot and humid season in the Philippines. Temperatures range from 25-32°C (77-90°F) with occasional showers. April is also the start of the typhoon season, so expect rain and thunderstorms.

Events

• The Sinulog Festival is held in Cebu City on the third Sunday of April. It is a religious and cultural festival to honor the Sto. Niño, or the Child Jesus, with a street parade and a lot of dancing.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held in Clark, Pampanga. It is a four-day event with hot air balloon rides, skydiving, and other aerial activities.
• The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is held in Manila. It is a two-month event featuring fireworks displays from different countries.
• The Manila International Auto Show is held in Manila. It is a four-day event showcasing the latest cars, motorcycles, and other automotive products.
• The Philippine International Literary Festival is held in Manila. It is a three-day event featuring literary talks, workshops, and book launches.

Philippines in May

Weather

May is the start of the hot and dry season in the Philippines. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C, with humidity levels of around 70-80%.

Events

• Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st. It is a national holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated with parades, speeches, and other festivities.
• The Flores de Mayo is an annual religious festival that takes place in the Philippines during the month of May. It is a Catholic tradition that involves the offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event held in Clark, Pampanga. It is a four-day event that features hot air balloon rides, skydiving, and other activities.
• The Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12th. It is a national holiday that commemorates the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898.
• The Bataan Death March Memorial Day is observed on May 6th. It is a day to remember the Filipino and American soldiers who died during the Bataan Death March in 1942.

Philippines in June

Weather

June in the Philippines is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25-35°C (77-95°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 14 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on June 28th. This is a Catholic holiday that honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is celebrated with Mass, processions, and other religious activities.
• The Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12th. This is a national holiday that commemorates the declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1898.
• The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21st. This is a day to promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing through the practice of yoga.
• The Philippine National Flag Day is celebrated on June 12th. This is a day to honor the Philippine flag and to celebrate the nation’s independence.
• The Feast of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24th. This is a Catholic holiday that honors the life of Saint John the Baptist and is celebrated with Mass, processions, and other religious activities.

Philippines in July

Weather

The weather in the Philippines in July is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25-32°C (77-90°F). Rainfall is common, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Events

• The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is celebrated on July 16th. This religious holiday is celebrated with prayers, processions, and feasts.
• The Kadayawan Festival is held in Davao City on the third week of July. This festival celebrates the abundance of nature and culture with a variety of activities, such as parades, street dances, and beauty pageants.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held in Clark, Pampanga from July 24-26. This event features hot air balloons from all over the world, as well as a variety of activities and performances.
• The Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12th. This national holiday marks the day that the Philippines declared its independence from Spain in 1898.
• The Pahiyas Festival is held in Lucban, Quezon on May 15th. This festival celebrates the harvest season with colorful decorations, parades, and traditional foods.

Philippines in August

Weather

August in the Philippines is the start of the wet season. Temperatures are usually hot and humid, with the average temperature ranging from 24 to 32°C (75 to 90°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 20-25 days of rain per month.

Events

• The National Heroes Day is celebrated on the last Monday of August. This day is dedicated to remembering the Filipino heroes who fought for the country’s independence.
• The Manila International Book Fair is held annually in August. It is the biggest book fair in the Philippines, and showcases books from local and international publishers.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held annually in Clark, Pampanga. This event features hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes, as well as other activities such as kite flying and sky diving.
• The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on August 15th. This is a Catholic holiday that celebrates the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven.
• The Philippine National Food Festival is held in August. This event celebrates the country’s diverse cuisine, with food stalls offering dishes from all over the Philippines.

Philippines in September

Weather

September is the start of the wet season in the Philippines. Temperatures remain high, typically ranging from 27-32°C (81-90°F). The wet season brings more rain, with an average of about 20 days of rain in September.

Events

• The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8th. This is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated with masses and processions.
• The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held annually in Clark, Pampanga. The fiesta usually takes place in the first week of September, and features hot air balloon rides, skydiving, and other activities.
• The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is held annually in February and September. This event features fireworks displays from different countries, and is held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
• The Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz is celebrated on September 28th. This is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated with masses and processions.
• The Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is celebrated on September 30th. This is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated with masses and processions.

Philippines in October

Weather

October in the Philippines is the start of the rainy season. The average temperature is around 27°C (80°F), while the average humidity is around 84%. The average amount of rainfall is around 340mm (13.4 inches).

Events

• The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7th. This is a Catholic festival that is celebrated in honor of the Virgin Mary.
• The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated on October 4th. This is a Catholic festival that honors the life and work of St. Francis of Assisi.
• The Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus is celebrated on October 1st. This is a Catholic festival that honors the life and work of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
• The Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina is celebrated on October 22nd. This is a Catholic festival that honors the life and work of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
• The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on October 31st. This is a Catholic festival that honors all the saints of the Church.

Philippines in November

Weather

November in the Philippines is the start of the wet season, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is common during this month, and humidity levels are high.

Events

• All Saints Day (November 1). All Saints Day is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated by visiting the graves of deceased relatives and friends.
• Bonifacio Day (November 30). Bonifacio Day is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated to commemorate the life and legacy of Andres Bonifacio, a leader of the Philippine Revolution.
• Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (November 21-24). The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival is an annual event held in Clark, Pampanga. It features hot air balloons, skydiving, and other activities.
• Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (November 16-17). The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition is an annual event held in Manila Bay. It features fireworks displays from different countries around the world.
• Philippine International Jazz Festival (November 22-24). The Philippine International Jazz Festival is an annual event held in Manila. It features performances from jazz musicians from all over the world.

Philippines in December

Weather

December in the Philippines is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 32°C. Rainfall is common throughout the month, and there is a risk of typhoons.

Events

• The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th. It is a public holiday in the Philippines, and is celebrated with special masses, processions, and other activities.
• The Feast of the Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. This is a special day of devotion to the patron saint of the Philippines.
• Christmas is celebrated throughout the month of December in the Philippines. Christmas carols, decorations, and festivals are common throughout the country.
• New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31st. Fireworks, parties, and other festivities are common throughout the country.
• The Sinulog Festival is celebrated in Cebu City on the third Sunday of December. It is a colorful celebration of the Filipino culture, with parades, music, and dancing.