The three-day celebration of the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City captivated an estimated 550,000 spectators, highlighting a festival that combined massive crowds, expanded performances, and a renewed focus on creativity and inclusivity. According to the Iloilo City Police Office, the final day of the festival on January 25 drew around 350,000 attendees.
The closing and awarding ceremonies alone at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand attracted nearly 73,000 spectators, while the Dinagyang Tribes Competition on Sunday morning saw roughly 26,000 viewers across three main venues: Freedom Grandstand (10,000), Iloilo Sports Complex (8,000), and Gaisano Lapaz (8,000). Additional activities, such as the Sadsad sa Calle Real and Downtown Food Fest, added another 3,200 attendees.
RELATED: [Iloilo's Economy Soars To P171-B, Fastest In R6]
Festival Highlights and Attendance Figures
The Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center reported that more than 200,000 people joined festival events on January 23 and 24. The official opening on January 23 featured the Dinagyang ILOmination: Festival of Lights and the Float Parade of Lights at Atria, SM City, and Megaworld, collectively drawing around 86,000 spectators.
On January 24, activities like the Festive Mardi Gras gathered roughly 3,000 attendees, while the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan attracted 18,500 viewers across Freedom Grandstand (7,000), Iloilo Sports Complex (8,000), and Gaisano Lapaz (3,500). The grand Religious Sadsad at Plaza Libertad drew 8,500 participants.
Innovation and Inclusivity Take Center Stage
Angel De Leon Jr., president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), emphasized that Dinagyang 2026 marked a turning point for the festival, expanding both access and community participation under the theme “Dinagyang Para Sa Tanan!” He explained that the number of dancers per tribe increased from 80–100 to 150, while the number of drum beaters rose from 70 to 100, enhancing the scale and energy of the performances. Artistic directors were also given more creative freedom with fewer restrictions on props and presentation to encourage innovation.
“We promise you a Dinagyang that will push boundaries. We deliver not only a promise, but we also believe that we are able to achieve this by the three core pillars: innovation, inclusivity and the deep Ilonggo identity. This year’s Dinagyang is bigger, louder and more innovative,” De Leon said. He further emphasized that the festival belongs to the people, stating, “Dinagyang is always a Dinagyang Para Sa Lahat, or Dinagyang Para Sa Tanan, a festival for everyone. Dinagyang belongs to the people.”
Organizers also expanded seating capacity by reintroducing the Iloilo Sports Complex as a competition venue, offering around 9,000 seats and general admission tickets priced as low as P300 to make live performances more accessible. Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas reiterated the festival’s dual focus on innovation and inclusivity, noting that Dinagyang continues to adopt new platforms while staying grounded in faith, culture, and Ilonggo identity.
“Beyond the drums, the dances, and the vibrant colors, Dinagyang plays a vital role in the life of the city. It is a powerful engine of tourism and economic activity. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Iloilo, filling our hotels, supporting our restaurants, and boosting local tourism,” Treñas said. She also emphasized that the festival preserves its spiritual and cultural foundations, remaining an expression of faith and devotion to Señor Santo Niño.
Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. highlighted that the festival serves as a shared cultural and tourism platform for both the city and province, saying, “The tourism of the city is the tourism of the province, and the tourism of the province is the tourism of the city. We are one.”
Traditionally held every third Sunday of January, Dinagyang Festival 2026 ran from January 23 to 25, welcoming both local and foreign visitors for three days of faith-based rites, cultural performances, and economic activity.
The festival’s scale, creativity, and community engagement continue to strengthen Iloilo City’s reputation as a top destination for religious tourism and cultural events, contributing to local livelihoods, boosting commerce, and fostering pride in Ilonggo heritage.
