Kadayawan Festival Davao: Culture, Events and Visitor Guide
The Kadayawan Festival is Davao City’s annual August thanksgiving for the harvest and for the culture of its indigenous communities. The 2026 edition ran from early August, opened on August 7 and peaked on August 16 with the Pamulak ug Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan parade and the Grand Showdown. The 2027 dates are pending official confirmation from the City Government of Davao.
This guide was reviewed on November 10, 2026. The 2026 festival is over, so the programme below is a record of what happened and a model for what to expect next. For other regional celebrations, see our complete guide to festivals in the Philippines.
Kadayawan Festival at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Place | Davao City, Mindanao |
| Usual timing | August, with the main parade in mid-month |
| Purpose | Thanksgiving for harvest, nature and culture |
| Honors | Davao City’s 11 ethnolinguistic communities |
| 2026 theme | “We are one, KadayaONE!” |
| 2026 grand opening | August 7, 2026, Magsaysay Park |
| 2026 peak day | August 16, 2026 |
| 2027 dates | Pending official confirmation (see below) |
What is the Kadayawan Festival?
Kadayawan is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for nature’s gifts, cultural wealth and the harvest. It is often called the “King of Festivals” in Davao City government materials.
The name comes from madayaw, a Dabawenyo word for something good, valuable or superior. The festival thanks the land for fruit, flowers and a good harvest. It also puts the Lumad and Moro cultures of the region in the civic programme.
Kadayawan is not a Santo Niño festival like Sinulog or Dinagyang. It is a cultural and agricultural thanksgiving. If you want to compare the two styles, read our guide on what fiestas are.
A short history: from Apo Duwaling to Kadayawan
The festival grew from thanksgiving rituals of the Davao tribes. Wikipedia’s summary says that in 1986 the city government used a festival to unite people during turbulent times. It was then called Apo Duwaling, a name made from Mount Apo, durian and the waling-waling orchid.
The same entry says the festival was officially named Kadayawan in 1988. Wikipedia’s article carries a citation warning, so treat the finer history as a general outline.
Other points that shaped today’s festival:
- 2017: The Kadayawan Village was set up at Magsaysay Park. It began as a temporary showcase for the 11 tribes and became a regular feature.
- 2019: The celebration was extended to run from August 2 to 31.
- 2020 and 2021: The festival went digital because of the pandemic.
- 2022: It returned in person with safety measures.
- 2025: The city branded the festival “Kadayawan 2025” instead of using a numbered edition, according to Wikipedia’s account of the city’s media conference.
Kadayawan 2026 schedule
Davao City’s Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) published the official lineup in July 2026. The table below uses that lineup as reported by SunStar Davao. Venues are included only where a source named one.
| Date (2026) | Activity |
|---|---|
| July 26 | Davao City Trail Ultra |
| August 1 to 31 | Big KadayaONE Sale |
| August 6 | Misa Pasasalamat (thanksgiving Mass) |
| August 7 | Subang Sinugdanan ug Panagtagbo and Pag-Abli sa Kadayawan: The Grand Opening |
| August 7 to 23 | Kadayawan Agri-Trade Fair |
| August 8 | Tunog Kadayawan and Salida Kadayawan short film competition |
| August 8 to 15 | Dayaw: The Arts, Culture, and Film Festival |
| August 8 and 9 | Pananam sa Kadayawan |
| August 10 to 12 | Bantawan Cultural Culinary Showcase and Cultural Performance |
| August 12 | Sayaw Kadayawan |
| August 13 | Hiyas sa Kadayawan: The Grand Coronation |
| August 13 to 16 | Kadayawan Expo and Food Trucks Bazaar |
| August 14 | Agong ug Kulintangan sa Kadayawan |
| August 15 | Dula Kadayawan and Konsierto Kadayawan |
| August 16 | Pamulak ug Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan Parade and Indak-Indak Grand Showdown |
SunStar also reported a Kadayawan Projection Mapping show at City Hall running through August 31. The Kada-Kada Bazaar was held at Ramon Magsaysay Park.
A Dayaw Art Walk was reported on August 15, starting at Poblacion Market and ending at Cinematheque Center Davao. That detail came from a single secondary source, so confirm it before relying on it in a future year.
The main events explained
Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan (street dancing)
Indak-Indak is the competitive street-dance contest. Contingents perform choreography, music and storytelling in costume. SunStar reported 13 competing dance contingents in 2026.
The contest has an Open Category and a Davao-Based School Category. Groups from nearby provinces compete in the Open Category.
Pamulak sa Kadayawan (floral floats)
Pamulak is the parade of floats decorated with flowers and produce. It shows the region’s harvest and creativity. The float contest has Dako (large) and Gamay (small) categories.
Hiyas sa Kadayawan (coronation)
Hiyas is a heritage-focused coronation. In 2026, candidates represented the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes. It fell on August 13, three days before the parade.
Bantawan, Agong ug Kulintangan and Dula Kadayawan
These are the quieter, more cultural events. Bantawan featured cultural performances and a culinary showcase. Agong ug Kulintangan focused on gong and kulintang music. Dula Kadayawan presented traditional and indigenous games. If you want more than the parade, plan for these.
Kadayawan Village
The village at Magsaysay Park showcases the culture of the 11 tribes. Wikipedia says the city was working in 2025 to make it a permanent, year-round cultural destination. Check the city’s tourism channels for its current hours.
What happened on August 16, 2026
The 2026 Grand Showdown moved to the Davao City Coastal Road. Earlier editions ended at San Pedro Square. The traditional parade route runs from Roxas Avenue to San Pedro Square.
A record crowd of more than 120,000 people filled the Coastal Road, according to the City Government of Davao. The Mindanao Times reported that organizers recorded no major security incidents across official events.
2026 results
The City Government of Davao published these results.
| Category | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Indak-Indak, Open | Balangay City High Performing Arts, Mati City, Davao Oriental | Php 2 million |
| Indak-Indak, School-Based | Mana Performing Arts Ensemble, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School | Php 1.7 million |
| Pamulak, Dako | “Kagikan” by Pro Arts | Php 1 million |
| Pamulak, Gamay | Alorica Teleservices Inc. | Php 500,000 |
SunStar reported that Balangay won its third straight Open title and earned an exemption from the 2027 competition. The city said the Indak-Indak prize pool was raised for 2026 with support from the First Congressional District of Davao City.
How many people visit Kadayawan?
The CTOO reported about 206,506 tourists in Davao City during the 2025 festival. That was the city’s biggest tourism draw of that year.
I did not find a final official tourist count for the 2026 festival. The 120,000 figure refers to the crowd at the Grand Showdown, not total festival visitors. Do not mix the two numbers.
For wider context, the Philippine Information Agency reported 1,632,597 tourist arrivals in Davao City from January to September 2026, up 10.85 percent from the same period in 2025.
Kadayawan food: what to eat and where
Kadayawan is as much a food festival as a cultural one. In 2026, SunStar listed these food events:
- Kadayawan at the Triangle
- Urban Eats: Kadayawan at Ayala Malls Abreeza
- Damosa Food Fest: Kadayawan Flavor
- Kada Kada Bazaar at Ramon Magsaysay Park
- The 12th Kadayawan Durian Festival at SM Lanang, which ran through September 11
The festival’s old name, Apo Duwaling, put durian in the title. The Kadayawan Agri-Trade Fair also showcased fresh produce and local goods.
Bring cash for small vendors. Ask sellers about durian ripeness, and check whether your hotel allows the fruit in rooms. Some hotels do not. If you love fruit festivals, our guide to the Lubi-Lubi Festival covers another harvest celebration.
How to plan your visit
When to go
Davao has traditionally held Kadayawan in the third week of August. Recent editions have stretched across the whole month. For the best experience, be in the city for the final weekend before the parade, not only the parade day.
Where to watch
The 2026 parade followed the traditional route along Roxas Avenue toward San Pedro Square. The Grand Showdown was on the Coastal Road near Tulip Drive. The 2027 venues are not confirmed. Do not book a hotel for a specific viewing spot until the city publishes routes.
Getting there
Most visitors fly into Francisco Bangoy International Airport. From there, taxis, ride-hailing and hotel transfers reach the city. Expect closures and longer travel times on the peak day. SunStar advised visitors to expect bigger crowds, road closures and longer travel times on August 16. Avoid tight same-day flight connections.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes and drinking water
- Sun and rain protection, since August weather in Davao can shift quickly
- Cash for small vendors
- A light bag, as organizers tighten security near major venues
Costs
I could not verify a standard admission fee from official sources. The city’s published programme does not list one for the main street events. Some concerts or special shows may differ. Treat any ticket price you see online as unconfirmed until the CTOO or the official Kadayawan page confirms it.
Respectful photography and cultural etiquette
Kadayawan’s performers represent living communities. SunStar’s 2026 guide asked visitors to give performers space, avoid blocking performances and ask permission before close-up or posed portraits.
Follow these simple rules:
- Ask before photographing performers in indigenous dress, especially children.
- Never step into the dance lane or past marshals for a better angle.
- Do not touch headdresses, beads or instruments without permission.
- Do not wear sacred or ceremonial items as costumes.
- Credit the community or group when you post photos.
When is Kadayawan 2027?
The official 2027 dates are pending confirmation. A 2027 Davao City festivals calendar shared on Facebook lists the Kadayawan Festival as August 6 to 22, 2027. I could not confirm that window on the City Government of Davao website, so treat it as unconfirmed.
Until the city publishes a parade date, book only flexible flights and cancellable hotels. Confirm the final programme through the City Government of Davao and the official Kadayawan sa Davao page.
Also be aware that some online guides mix up festival dates. One social media post I found gave dates of August 27 to 31, and another gave August 14 to 18. These do not match the official 2026 lineup. Rely on city announcements.
Where Kadayawan fits among Philippine festivals
Kadayawan sits with festivals that honor indigenous heritage and harvest, such as Kaamulan in Bukidnon. It differs from religious festivals tied to the Santo Niño. If you plan a longer festival trip, see our guide to must-visit Philippine festivals for American visitors. For something different, try the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta or the Giant Lantern Festival.
FAQ
When is the Kadayawan Festival?
Kadayawan is held every August in Davao City. The 2026 edition opened on August 7 and peaked on August 16. The 2027 dates are pending official confirmation from the City Government of Davao.
What does Kadayawan mean?
The name comes from madayaw, a word for something good, valuable or superior. The festival uses it to express thanks for a good harvest and for the region’s cultural wealth.
What is the Kadayawan Festival celebrating?
It celebrates thanksgiving for nature, the harvest and culture. It honors Davao City’s 11 ethnolinguistic communities through music, dance, art and agriculture.
What is the difference between Indak-Indak and Pamulak?
Indak-Indak is the street-dance competition. Pamulak is the parade of floats decorated with flowers and produce. Both took place on August 16 in 2026.
Is Kadayawan free to attend?
I could not confirm a general admission fee from official sources. The city’s published lineup lists no ticket price for the main street events. Check the CTOO or official Kadayawan channels for any paid concerts or shows.
Where was the Indak-Indak Grand Showdown in 2026?
It was held on the Davao City Coastal Road near Tulip Drive. This was the first time the showdown was staged there. The 2027 venue is not yet confirmed.
Sources
- Davao City Tourism Operations Office lineup, via SunStar Davao: “Kadayawan 2026 Pamulak, Indak-Indak set on August 16,” July 10, 2026. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/kadayawan-2026-pamulak-indak-indak-set-on-august-16
- SunStar Davao: “Kadayawan 2026: See it, taste it, live it,” August 13, 2026. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/kadayawan-2026-see-it-taste-it-live-it
- City Government of Davao: “Indak-Indak, Pamulak 2026 grand champions hailed,” August 18, 2026. https://davaocity.gov.ph/tourism/indak-indak-pamulak-2026-grand-champions-hailed/
- Mindanao Times: “Kadayawan 2026 concludes with record 120-K crowd, zero major security incidents,” August 18, 2026. https://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/kadayawan-2026-concludes-with-record-120-k-crowd-zero-major-security-incidents/
- Philippine Information Agency: “Enhanced tourism promotions in Davao City bear fruits.” https://pia.gov.ph/news/enhanced-tourism-promotions-in-davao-city-bear-fruits/
- Wikipedia: “Kadayawan Festival” (used for general history only; the article carries a citation warning). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadayawan_Festival
- Official Kadayawan sa Davao page and City Government of Davao: https://davaocity.gov.ph/
Last reviewed on November 10, 2026. Dates and programmes change each year, so confirm with the City Government of Davao before you book.
