The sheer number of Las Pinas City festivals reflects the culturally rich and diverse history of the Las Pinas City region. If you're traveling to Las Pinas City during one of these festivals, take the time to engage in the festivities.

Bamboo Organ Festival

The most famous festival in Las Pinas City is perhaps the Bamboo Organ Festival, the namesake of which is the National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines that resides in Las Pinas City, the Fr. Diego Cera Bamboo Organ at the Parish Church of St. Joseph. The Bamboo Organ, the only one of its kind in the world, has been in Las Pinas since 1824 and the festival to celebrate its music began in 1976.

Held annually in February for a week, the Bamboo Organ Festival features musicians from around the country and around the world whose performances range from full orchestras, to choirs, to the bamboo organ solo. Performances of classic, contemporary and brand-new musical pieces are the highlights of the festivities.

Water Lily Festival

A fairly new but nonetheless culturally relevant festival is the Water Lily Festival, which began in Las Pinas City in 2006. Usually held for only one day in July, the Water Lily Festival is integral to the water lily industry, which is responsible for supporting over 200 families in this highly industrialized city.

Water lilies harvested are used for creating biofuels, paper, slippers and baskets and the festival is a day of celebration for all of the local citizens who make their living off of this prominent crop. Guests are of course welcome, too. Learn how local farmers weave baskets from water lily pulp and take home one of these crafts or homemade bakery and meals for sale at one of the more than two dozen booths. Participate in, or watch, decorating, fashion and beauty contests featuring local talent.

Parol (Lantern) Festival

Held annually during the Christmas season, the Parol Festival highlights the delicate craftsmanship of local artisans responsible for the vibrant Christmas lanterns that decorate Las Pinas City in the weeks prior to Christmas.  As a largely Catholic city due to Spanish influence during early colonization, Christmas is an important holiday in the region and the Parol Festival demonstrates how Las Pinas City brings their own local customs to the celebration.

The opening of the day-long festival in December involves the lighting of a giant 10 foot by 10 foot Christmas lantern, which is always a memorable sight. Handmade lanterns made from bamboo, capiz and other locally harvested materials are a central product of artisans year-round and you can see their work celebrated and on display during this festival. The festival typically ends with the local government providing a Christmas gift to the poor. Past gifts have included land titles for poor families and computers for impoverished schoolchildren.