The Higantes Festival is Angono, Rizal’s yearly celebration of towering papier-mache giants. It honors San Clemente (Saint Clement), the town’s patron saint and the patron of fishers. The giants parade through the streets with bands and dancers, and the town’s fiesta rites run alongside them.

The festival takes place each November around the feast of San Clemente. It is both a community fiesta and a showcase of Angono’s folk art.

Higantes Festival 2026: key dates at a glance

For 2026, the date to plan around is Sunday, 15 November. A Manila Bulletin report dated 29 October 2026 says Angono’s Higantes and Arts Festival opened on 31 October. The same report says the 15 November grand parade is expected to feature around 200 higantes and hundreds of participants. A local post promoting the event lists 15 November, Sunday, from 7:00 AM onwards. Treat that start time as unofficial until the municipality confirms it.

Item	2026 detail	Status
Festival month	Higantes and Arts Festival, month-long, launched 31 October 2026	Reported by Manila Bulletin and local government posts
Grand parade	Sunday, 15 November 2026	Reported by Manila Bulletin; confirm route and hours
Reported start time	7:00 AM onwards	From a local promotional post, not an official program
Feast of San Clemente	Monday, 23 November 2026	Fixed annual feast date
Fluvial procession	Reported for 23 November 2026	Confirm boarding and viewing points locally
Theme	“HIGANTE AT SINING: Ugat ng Kalinangan, Sagisag ng Pagkakaisa”	Announced by the Municipality of Angono
Entrance fee	No ticket fee published for the street parade that we could find	Confirm with the Angono Tourism Office

Last updated: 10 November 2026. Parade day is five days away as of this update, so check the Municipality of Angono’s official announcements before you leave.

Which date is the Higantes Festival in 2026?

The grand parade is on 15 November 2026, and the saint’s feast day is 23 November. Many older pages and travel sites repeat a different pattern, so you will see conflicting dates online.

Angono’s municipal page describes Higantes as a secular celebration and says the parade of giants is held on the Sunday before the town feast on 23 November. Under that rule, 22 November would be the date in 2026. Several travel sites still list 22 November for that reason.

This year’s launch coverage and promotions point to 15 November instead. The town’s information office has also described the festival in a 2025 post as celebrated every third Sunday of November. In 2026, the third Sunday is 15 November.

What this means for you:

Plan for the parade on 15 November.
Keep 23 November in mind for the feast of San Clemente and the fluvial procession.
Do not rely on a blog that only says “November 22 and 23” without checking the current year’s program.
If your plans can shift, confirm with the Municipality of Angono before booking transport.

What is the Higantes Festival?

Higantes are hollow papier-mache giants carried by bearers inside the frame. Barangays and craftspeople build them, and each figure has its own face, costume and character. Reports on the 2026 launch describe the figures as roughly 10 to 12 feet tall.

The Municipality of Angono says Higantes is a secular celebration it initiated to express gratitude to Saint Clement. The church feast, the fluvial rites and the parade belong to the same fiesta season but are not the same event. That is why schedules sometimes look confusing.

Over time the craft has widened. Angono craftspeople now make giants of local and national officials, Angono myths and legends, and even the vegetables named in the folk song “Bahay Kubo.” There are also small giants called higantitos.

The town calls itself the Art Capital of the Philippines. It is home to two National Artists: painter Carlos “Botong” Francisco and composer Lucio San Pedro. The art link is not decoration. It is the reason the festival is now billed as a Higantes and Arts Festival.

What is new in the 2026 festival

The 2026 edition is a month-long celebration of Angono’s culture, arts and traditions. Its theme is “HIGANTE AT SINING: Ugat ng Kalinangan, Sagisag ng Pagkakaisa.”

Here is what has been reported so far:

31 October 2026: Launch with a parade of hundreds of giants, a preview of the month ahead.
15 November 2026: Grand parade with around 200 higantes expected. Private groups, businesses and schools are also expected to join.
Art exhibit: An exhibit built around the sagwan, the wooden paddle carried by the parehadoras. Artists from several parts of Luzon and an artist from Malaysia took part, and visitors were invited to sign a large community paddle canvas.
Marching bands: Local bands such as the Angono National Symphonic Band were rehearsing in early November.

Programs change. Check the municipality’s official page and social channels for the final calendar.

Where did the higantes come from?

Two stories compete, and Angono’s own municipal page presents both.

The folklore version. Angono folklore says the higante was a symbol of agrarian protest in the last years of Spanish colonial rule, when Angono was a hacienda. Villagers mocked landowners through oversized figures.

The scholarly version. A study by Far Eastern University professor James Owen Saguinsin offers a different reading. He theorized that no literal giant existed. Locals were referring to a tall hacienda caretaker nicknamed Karias Tangkad. The Filipino word “higanti” means revenge. He also theorized that the papier-mache giants began only after World War II. In that account, Botong Francisco asked the first higante maker, Artemio Tajan, to add festivity to the post-war fiesta.

Neither version is a single official founder story. When a guide tells you the origin as settled fact, treat it with care. Locals may tell you either version, or both.

How a higante is made

Making a giant is slow, skilled work. Documentation from the intangible heritage network notes that a figure about three meters tall usually takes around a month to build.

Frame: Bamboo or rattan strips keep the body light enough to carry for hours.
Head: The head is the hardest part. It is built from layered paper strips.
Bearer: The person inside walks, sways and turns the figure during the procession.

Because each barangay builds its own, no two parades look the same. A village known for a local product might field a figure that nods to it. Wikipedia’s festival entry gives the example of a duck-headed higante from a balut-producing village.

Traditions to watch for

Basaan, the water-dousing custom

Basaan means people are doused with water for good fortune. Among Christians, the water is linked to Pope Clement I, who was martyred by drowning and is the patron saint of fisherfolk. Expect to get wet during the fiesta, sometimes whether you want to or not.

Parehadores and the sagwan

The parehadores are a marching band and a group of young girls in colorful costumes and wooden slippers. They carry the sagwan, a wooden boat paddle that stands for devotion to Saint Clement. They shout “Viva, San Clemente!” as they march.

Mass and the fluvial procession

The feast is anchored at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement. On feast day there is a Mass. The saint’s image is then carried in a fluvial procession on Laguna de Bay, on a bamboo pagoda, according to a City on a Hill journal entry published in October 2026. The municipality announces exact times each year, so do not rely on old schedules.

What to expect on parade day

Parade day is loud, crowded and wet. Plan for a long morning on your feet.

Giants and bands: Hundreds of participants, marching bands and dancers move through the streets behind the higantes.
Road closures: Parade routes and nearby streets are usually closed to traffic, so allow extra time for the last stretch.
Water: Basaan can reach spectators, cameras and phones.
Crowds: Popular viewing areas fill early. A past parade in 2017 started at 7:00 AM, and early arrival remains the standard advice.

The route and start time can change from year to year. Confirm them with the municipality, not with a blog from a previous year.

How to get to Angono

Angono is in Rizal, on the Laguna de Bay side of Luzon. One travel guide places it about 29 km east of Manila. There is no rail line to the town.

Common ways to reach it:

Bus, jeepney or UV Express: Services toward Angono, Binangonan, Taytay or Cainta run from Cubao and the EDSA-Shaw area. Confirm the drop-off point with the driver or terminal staff.
Car: Main roads from Metro Manila include Ortigas Avenue Extension and Manila East Road. Expect closures near the parade route and limited parking.
Last mile: Walk or take a tricycle from where the road closures begin.

We are not giving travel times or fares because they depend on traffic and change often. Leave earlier than you would for a normal weekend trip.

Where to stay and how much it costs

A base in Angono’s town center puts you closest to the parade and church. Rooms are limited and fill quickly on festival weekends. Taytay and Cainta are options along the main transport corridor, and a Metro Manila day trip is realistic if you leave early.

On cost, we found no published entrance fee for the street parade. Your main expenses will be transport, food, souvenirs, and any museum or gallery admission. We do not list prices here because we could not verify current rates. Ask each venue directly.

A sample one-day plan

This is a suggested plan, not an official timetable. Adjust it once the municipality confirms the program.

Time	Activity	Note
Early morning	Travel to Angono	Leave Metro Manila before dawn and find a safe viewing spot
From about 7:00 AM	Watch the grand parade	The 7:00 AM start is from a local promotional post, so confirm it
Late morning	Walk the town center	Look at murals and festival activities
Midday	Lunch at a local eatery	Try a restaurant that mixes dining and art
Afternoon	Visit a gallery or museum	Check opening hours first
Late afternoon	Head home	Expect heavy traffic and queues for transport

If the parade is your priority, do not schedule a long lunch or museum visit during parade hours.

Art and heritage stops near the festival

Angono rewards a longer visit. Add one or two of these, and confirm hours and access before you go:

Blanco Family Museum: Art by painter Jose Blanco and his family.
Nemiranda Art House: A local art space.
Ang Nuno Artists Foundation Gallery: Another gallery tied to the town’s art scene.
Balaw-Balaw Restaurant and Art Gallery: A dining and art stop. Higantes masks are also made there, according to a regional tourism journal.
Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs: Ancient rock engravings of human and animal figures. Access arrangements can change, so check ahead.

Festival tips and etiquette

Dress for water: Wear quick-dry clothes and shoes you can walk in for hours.
Protect your phone: Use a waterproof pouch and bring a power bank.
Bring the basics: Water, sunscreen, a hat and small bills for vendors and tricycles.
Do not touch the giants: Never climb on a higante or pull at its costume. The bearer inside has limited vision.
Keep lanes clear: Leave space for carriers, bands and emergency access.
Ask before photographing: Get permission before taking close-ups of makers, children or people in costume roles.
Respect the rites: Dress modestly in church and keep noise down during Mass.
Set a meeting point: Giants block sightlines, so agree on a fixed spot in case your group is separated.

How Higantes compares with other Philippine festivals

Higantes sits in a long tradition of saint-honoring fiestas. If you are building a festival calendar, these guides give useful context:

What are fiestas explains the basics of Filipino town fiestas and how to behave as a guest.
Festivals in the Philippines: the complete guide gives the full year-round calendar.
Festivals in the Philippines covers the main types of festivals.
What is the Ati-Atihan festival covers another street festival tied to the Santo Nino.
Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga is another “giant” craft tradition, but it is a December event with lanterns rather than puppets.
Festivals in Pampanga helps you compare Luzon festival seasons.
Philippine Christmas traditions is useful if you are planning a trip that runs from November into the holiday season.

Higantes Festival FAQ

When is the Higantes Festival in 2026?

The grand parade is reported for Sunday, 15 November 2026. The feast of San Clemente is Monday, 23 November 2026, with a fluvial procession reported for that day. Some travel sites list 22 November, based on the older “Sunday before the feast” pattern. Confirm with the Municipality of Angono.

Where is the Higantes Festival held?

It is held in Angono, Rizal, a town on the shore of Laguna de Bay east of Metro Manila. The parade runs through the town’s streets. The church feast is anchored at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement.

What is the Higantes Festival celebrated for?

It honors San Clemente, the patron of fishers, and showcases the town’s papier-mache folk art. Angono describes Higantes as a secular celebration of gratitude to Saint Clement. The church feast, the fluvial procession and the parade work together but are not identical events.

Is the Higantes Festival free?

We found no published entrance fee for the street parade. You should still budget for transport, food, souvenirs and any museum or gallery admission. Confirm any ticketed activity with the Angono Tourism Office or the municipality.

Will I get wet at the Higantes Festival?

Yes, you should expect it. Basaan is the water-dousing custom linked to Pope Clement I, who is the patron saint of fisherfolk. Wear quick-dry clothes and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.

How tall are the higantes, and how are they made?

Reports on the 2026 parade describe the figures as about 10 to 12 feet tall. They are built on a bamboo or rattan frame with a papier-mache head, and a bearer carries each one from inside. Documentation of the tradition says a figure of about three meters usually takes around a month to make.

Sources

Municipality of Angono. “Home of the Higantes Festival, Angono, Rizal.” https://angono.gov.ph/home-higantes-festival-angono-rizal/ (undated; used for the secular celebration, parade pattern, origin theories, evolution of the figures and the town’s National Artists)
Manila Bulletin. “Hundreds of ‘higantes’ launch Angono’s biggest festival.” 29 October 2026. https://mb.com.ph/2026/10/29/hundreds-of-higantes-launch-angonos-biggest-festival (used for the 31 October opening and 15 November grand parade; details from the published excerpt)
Village Pipol Magazine, Facebook post on the Municipal Government of Angono’s announcement of the Higantes Festival 2026 and its theme. https://www.facebook.com/villagepipol/posts/the-municipal-government-of-angono-proudly-announces-the-launch-of-the-annual-hi/1490548173098606/
Angono Public Information Office, Facebook. “Higantes and Arts Festival 2025.” https://www.facebook.com/AngonoPIO/posts/higantes-and-arts-festival-2025-higantesandartsfestival2025angonorizal/1149480263940255/ (used for the “third Sunday of November” description)
Wazzup Pilipinas, Facebook. Launch of the Higantes Festival and Arts Month, Angono Municipal Grounds, 31 October 2026. https://www.facebook.com/wazzuppilipinasfb/videos/launch-of-the-higantes-festival-and-arts-month-in-angono-rizal-was-held-at-the-a/986665107206457/ (used for the sagwan art exhibit)
Local promotional post, TikTok (@143kenneth1996), “Higantes and Arts Festival 2026.” https://www.tiktok.com/@143kenneth1996/photo/7704862630825004308 (unofficial; used only for the reported 15 November, 7:00 AM listing)
ABS-CBN Lifestyle. “National Heritage Month 2026 kicks off in Angono, Rizal.” 14 May 2026. https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/5/14/national-heritage-month-2026-kicks-off-in-in-angono-rizal-1155 (used for the 10 to 12 foot height description)
City on a Hill. “Higantes Festival, Angono: November 23 Feast, Giants Parade and Fluvial Procession.” 5 October 2026. https://cityhillresort.com/journal/higantes-festival-angono-guide
Wikipedia. “Higantes Festival.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higantes_Festival (basaan, parehadores, the sagwan and construction details)

Always confirm the parade date, start time, route, road closures and fluvial boarding points with the Municipality of Angono and the parish before you travel.