Here are some of the things you can expect to see and experience at the Masskara Festival:
Street Dancing and Parade
The Masskara Festival is most famous for its street dancing and parade, which takes place on the fourth Sunday of October. Teams of dancers wearing elaborate costumes and masks take to the streets to perform choreographed routines to upbeat music, while spectators cheer them on. The parade is a colorful spectacle that’s not to be missed. The MassKara Festival is celebrated with a spirit of resilience and unity, as it was originally conceived in the early 1980s as a response to the challenges and crises facing Bacolod at the time. The masks worn during the festival are symbolic of the resilience and the indomitable spirit of the people of Bacolod. The combination of street dancing, the grand parade, and the iconic smiling masks has made the MassKara Festival a world-renowned event, drawing visitors from around the globe to experience its unique blend of art, culture, and celebration.
Music Performances
Throughout the festival, there are live music performances by local and national artists. The music ranges from traditional Filipino folk music to modern pop and rock, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. The combination of these music performances, along with the street dancing and grand parade, creates a dynamic and lively atmosphere during the MassKara Festival. It's a celebration of both tradition and modernity, and it offers a little something for everyone, regardless of their musical preferences. The music adds to the overall festive ambiance, making MassKara a truly memorable experience.
Food Fairs
The Masskara Festival is also a celebration of Bacolod’s culinary heritage, with food fairs featuring a wide range of local delicacies and street food. Visitors can try local specialties like chicken inasal, batchoy, and piaya, as well as international favorites like burgers and pizza. You can also check out Bacolod’s famous eateries and restaurants as many, if not all of them, participate in the festivities.
Art Exhibitions and Competitions
The festival also showcases the artistic talent of Bacolod, with art exhibitions and competitions featuring painting, sculpture, and other forms of visual art.MassKara often hosts art exhibitions that display the works of local artists. These exhibitions can feature a wide range of visual art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and mixed media. The themes of the artworks may be related to the festival, local culture, or broader artistic expressions. The festival may include art competitions where local artists can participate and showcase their talents. These competitions often have categories for various art forms and are judged by experts in the field. Winning entries may receive recognition and prizes.
The center of the MassKara festival is the big vibrant masks. A lot of barangays and groups are working hard to give world-class performances complete with crafted masks and eye-catching outfits. As The City of Smiles, expect Bacolod locals to give you the warmest welcome. Festivals in the Philippines usually bring out the most hospitable spirit in everyone, so don't be shy to befriend locals during the festivities. You might even get the best travel tips from them! The music used for the celebration has enjoyed a colorful evolution, just like the festival. From folk songs, the festival now uses a combination of Latin beat remixes as well as Philippine Jazz to grace the street dances.
The most exciting part of the yearly MassKara Festival is the Dance Competition. This part of the festival is something that each and every visitor would not want to miss. MassKara Festival is known for its street parties, with the biggest party, known as Masskaraland. Masskaraland is open for everyone who wants to join the fun. Partygoers can dance from sunrise until sunset, as they turn the street of Lacson into a gigantic party venue. A countdown also starts in the afternoon, where powders of different colors are thrown up to douse all the partygoers.
The MassKara Festival made its way from being a source of happiness after tragedies to one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines. It is highly recommended to visit Bacolod during the MassKara not only for the festivities but also to bring along the memories and enjoy the infectious smiles and the charms of the city.
Start planning your trip to Bacolod City now! Explore Bacolod tours and activities that you can book during your MassKara Festival trip to the City of Smiles.