Negro Island is a melting pot of aboriginal and modern western cultures. Undoubtedly, Negros Island Festivals have these cultural nuances prominent in their celebration.

Masskara Festival

'Mass’ means crowd and ‘cara’ in Spanish means face. The 2 words when combined mean 'mask.' This Mask festival serves to expose the stoic nature of the Negrense people. The festival started in 1980 in Bacolod and since then every year it is celebrated on October 19 on Negros Islands's Charter Day. This festival epitomizes happiness and joy in any given situation. A masked smiling face is considered to be the symbol of this festival. Hence, everyone wearing a mask tries to belie their grief and worries on this occasion. The town plaza gets crowded with masked people coming from all corners of the island, only to celebrate this grand festival. There are also pole climbing, coconut water drinking, disco dancing and pig catching competitions held to entertain the crowd. The unique mask-making competition adds color and artistic flavor to the festival.

Panaad Festival

Deemed to be the main festival of Negros Occidental, Pannad Festival is somewhat similar to mask festival of Bacolod. This festival is held every year in the month of April. People from all over the world come to the main town with their faces masked or painted in different colors and styles. The entire Negros Occidental takes an appearance of a fair as people from villages showcase and sell fruits, furniture, baskets and many other stunning items.

Babaylan Festival

The Babaylan festival held on 19th of February every year serves to rediscover the unique Filipino culture that existed before the colonial Spanish era. Babaylan was the most colorful of all the ancient characters in Negros. He was a doctor, herbalist, agriculturist, and advisor. He was believed to be the custodian of spirit agents and rituals in this mysterious world of ours. On this day people perform aboriginal dances, wear ancient clothes and paint themselves like the aboriginals used to do.

Pinta Flores Festival

Pinta Flores Festival is celebrated in sugar city ‘San Carlos’ of Negros Occidental. This festival pays homage to Saint San Carlos Borromeo. Saint Carlos Borromeo was one of the first revolutionaries against the Spanish rule. The city pays tribute to him on this special occasion by performing dances and offering colorful, huge flower bouquets.

Mudpack Festival

Held on 24 June every year, this festival depicts the significance of nature. Held in Murcia city of Negros Occidental, this festival is celebrated with a dance parade moving along the major streets. The dancers wear nothing but mudpacks to highlight the ecological concerns with fun.