In Bacolod, Negros Occidental
MassKara Festival
Bacolod's iconic festival of colorful masks.
MassKara is the Philippines' most photogenic festival — held every October in Bacolod, with parades of dancers wearing elaborate smiling masks decorated with sequins, feathers, beads, and bright paint. The name combines 'mass' (many) and 'cara' (Spanish for face).
The festival was started in 1980 during a difficult period for the city. The local government created MassKara to lift the city's spirit — hence the smiling masks and the nickname City of Smiles.
The main events span 3 weekends in October, building up to the Grand MassKara Parade on the closest Sunday to October 19. Crowds reach 1 million+ in a city of 600,000.
Beyond the parade, the festival includes a beer plaza, food festival, electric MassKara Run, and dozens of side events. If you visit in October, book hotels months in advance.
Stay near MassKara Festival
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