Dinagyang 2026 lights up Iloilo Business Park with parades, concerts

January 27 ------ The 2026 Dinagyang Festival once again proved its status as a gold standard for Philippine tourism for its deep cultural roots with the energy of a world-class event. As Iloilo City came alive with the sound of drums, vibrant costumes, and devotion to the Santo Niño, Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park became the center of events. For years now, the township has served as the “home of Dinagyang’s biggest celebrations.”

One of the weekend’s standout events was “ILOmination: Festival of Lights,” a nighttime parade that lit up the township from end to end. Megaworld reported that over 100,000 festival-goers gathered to witness the Grand Floats Parade and Fireworks Display, which further illuminated the night with glowing floats and street performances.

Among the parade’s featured contingents were the Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro, the Pavvurulun Afi Festival of Tuguegarao City, the Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City, and the Banaag Festival of Anilao, Iloilo. Adding to the spectacle were big, bright floats from corporate partners, rich with local flair and crafted to be part of the grand visual narrative that carried through the night’s parade.

Celebrities from both ABS-CBN and GMA Network amped up the excitement in separate festival zones. Kapamilya stars Yeng Constantino, Jason Dy, McCoy de Leon, P-pop group BGYO, and cast members of “What Lies Beneath” and “Roja” brought in roaring crowds. Meanwhile, Kapuso actors Charlie Fleming, Sean Lucas, Anthony Constantino, and Allen Ansay, who star in the upcoming horror film “Huwag Kang Titingin,” were also spotted mingling with fans and revelers. For music lovers, the “Smart Music Fest” staged performances by Silent Sanctuary, while James Reid headlined the “Neon Dew Party,” adding a different kind of energy to the streets of Iloilo Business Park.

Beyond the major concerts and parades, festival-goers found a range of immersive cultural and leisure experiences across the township. Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo hosted Dinagyang-inspired dining and entertainment, paying tribute to Ilonggo faith, heritage, and artistry. Guests were greeted by a Santo Niño photo wall and welcomed to themed menus and performances throughout the weekend.

General Manager Natalie Lim shared that the Sto. Niño images on display were lent by Ilonggo families who were proud to be part of the celebration. The hotel’s restaurants — Runway Kitchen and Courtyard Al Fresco — offered multi-venue dining with prime views of the ILOmination Parade and fireworks overhead. Next door, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo mounted its own signature offerings, from the “Digamo: Flavors of the Archipelago” buffet to the “Fiesta Parilya” all-you-can-grill experience, giving guests a flavorful tour of Filipino cuisine.

The cultural festivities also extended into the township’s lifestyle spaces. Just steps away, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (Ilomoca) mounted the month-long exhibit “Patis Tesoro’s Filipiniana Is Forever,” showcasing 30 couture pieces such as piña gowns, vintage ternos, and barongs lent by the designer’s longtime clients and friends.

Next door, the Brandy Museum, which is the first of its kind in the Philippines, offered a different kind of heritage encounter. Designed like a traditional Spanish bodega, the space guided guests through the brandy’s “seed-to-glass” journey via historical artifacts, archival exhibits, multimedia features, and guided tastings. Visitors also enjoyed brandy-infused drinks and pastries at the museum café. Dining outlets across Iloilo Business Park added even more flavor to the weekend. At the Festive Walk Iloilo, Buto’t Balat served Ilonggo comfort food like sizzling blue marlin, chicken inasal, pancit molo, garlic shrimp, and sweet-and-sour squid. For a contemporary twist, Protagonist Café and Cocktail Lounge offered brunch by day and bold fusion cocktails by night.

Venturing outside the township, visitors explored Iloilo’s famed heritage and culinary spots. Churches like Jaro Cathedral and Molo Church welcomed pilgrims and tourists alike. Nearby, food stops like Netong’s La Paz Batchoy at the redeveloped La Paz Public Market and the city’s oldest coffee shop, Madge Café, remained must-visit spots for authentic flavors.

Markets and pasalubong centers rounded out the weekend experience, offering local delicacies like different kakanin and native ingredients like batuan, a prized souring fruit in Visayan cuisine. Biscocho Haus, meanwhile, remained a crowd favorite for Ilonggo staples like biscocho, butterscotch, otap, and barquillos.

From high-energy parades to soulful exhibits, from street concerts to traditional flavors, the Dinagyang 2026 celebration at Ilo­ilo Business Park delivered a rich, multi-sensory tribute to Ilonggo pride and devotion and one that left visitors with unforgettable memories of the Philippines’ own “City of Love.”

Source: manilatimes.net