While many Philippine provinces have their own traditions, Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival proves to be an event that locals, balikbayans, and even foreigners anticipate. Much like The Carnival of Brazil, the annual MassKara Festival is a colorful, cultural celebration that welcomes anyone seeking a joyful experience.
If you’re interested to experience it for yourself while you’re visiting PH now or planning to in the coming years, here’s your all-in-one guide to what the festival is about and what you can look forward to, plus some tips.
How the MassKara Festival came to be
It’s worth noting that while the MassKara Festival is known for its joy and splendor, it was a celebration that originated from tragedy. In 1980, the Negrenses (Bacolod City and Negros locals) were suffering from a sugar crisis that directly affected their livelihood and reeling from a ship accident that claimed the lives of many locals that same year. The local government came up with the idea of organizing the first-ever MassKara Festival to lighten the spirits of the people. Since then, the festival has occurred in Bacolod City every October, with highlight weekends typically during the 3rd and 4th weeks of the month.
MassKara came from the combination of the English word “mass,” meaning many people, and “cara,” the Spanish word for face, as the festival involves many people wearing happy masks to hide their sorrows. Festival-goers don flamboyant, eye-catching masks painted with large smiles and decorated with everything from wild feathers to intricate beading, reflecting Bacolod City’s colorful culture and people. It’s also how Bacolod became the Philippines’ “City of Smiles,” welcoming all visitors with warmth and joy.
Events, food, and nightlife: What to look forward to at the MassKara Festival
Many exciting activities occur in Bacolod throughout the month of October, as more visitors from around the country and abroad join the entire city in celebration.
Dance competitions prove to be a highlight, with groups from all over the city going against one another in synchronized traditional choreography. Teams prepare for months ahead of the festival, each with distinct masks, costumes, and music. These competitions are often held in large arenas, with massive audiences rooting for their respective teams. It’s a colorful, glittery spectacle to behold.
Another exciting thing to look forward to are street fairs. Bacolod City’s main street, Lacson, is closed down to allow vendors and small businesses to showcase all kinds of local goods: from traditional Filipino street food to colorful trinkets and even clothing. Visitors can definitely do a lot of pasalubong (souvenir) shopping here. There are also a handful of stages set up throughout the street, for smaller singing and dance competitions, as well as DJs who provide festival-goers a soundtrack of adrenaline-pumping music. You could spend an entire day walking along Lacson Street, and there will always be something new or entertaining to see.
If you’re coming for concerts and nightlife, you won’t be disappointed either. During the MassKara Festival, Pinoy celebrities fly over to host shows and perform, while many open spaces are turned into party destinations.
From wholesome food trips to dance-filled parties, the festival’s wide range of activities make it an experience you need to book as soon as possible.
3 things you need to know if you plan to experience MassKara
1. Book your trip early.
Because many people look forward to this annual event, plane tickets to and accommodations in Bacolod City are more difficult to find the closer to October. Prices go up, too! That said, make sure to plan with your family and friends earlier in the year to ensure your flights and lodging are secured.
2. Always have cash and spare change.
Many of the stalls and establishments prefer cash over online payments because it’s more convenient for them during such a busy time. Before leaving your accommodations to get the day started, make sure to have a few hundreds and fifties in your wallet, just in case you come across something that catches your eye.
3. Wear warm-weather clothing.
Most events, especially street fairs, happen outdoors. Dress in comfortable, sweat-friendly clothing to better enjoy the festival, which is sure to draw a huge crowd everywhere. We also recommend wearing rubber shoes, or just comfortable shoes in general, to ensure a painless MassKara experience.