© Ranieljosecastaneda · CC BY-SANov
Date TBA
Late November 2026 (expected November 21 to 28)
Sinukwan Festival 2026
Week-long celebration of Kapampangan identity in San Fernando, ending with a grand street dance parade.
San Fernando
City
San Fernando
Pampanga's capital and the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, home of the Giant Lantern Festival.
San Fernando is the capital of Pampanga and the regional center of Central Luzon, with 35 barangays and about 355,000 residents at the 2020 census. It is popularly known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
Every December the city holds the Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul), where barangays compete with huge, intricate parol lanterns. The festival started in Bacolor before moving here, and lantern-making remains a local craft.
The San Fernando Heritage District around Barangay Santo Rosario keeps heritage houses such as the Hizon-Singian and Lazatin houses, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, seat of the Archdiocese of San Fernando. The old San Fernando Train Station was the end point of the Bataan Death March in 1942. For food, Everybody's Cafe, open since 1946, serves classic Kapampangan dishes.
Good to know about San Fernando
Why is San Fernando called the Christmas Capital of the Philippines?
Because of its giant parol lanterns. The city's Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) is held every December, with barangays competing with huge, intricate lanterns.
When is the Giant Lantern Festival?
It is held every December, usually in mid-December. Check our events page for the confirmed date each year.
What heritage sites are in San Fernando?
The San Fernando Heritage District includes the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Hizon-Singian and Lazatin houses, and the San Fernando Train Station linked to the Bataan Death March.
Upcoming events in San Fernando
© Ranieljosecastaneda · CC BY-SA
© Ramon FVelasquez · CC BY-SADec
Date TBA
December 2026 (date to be announced)
Giant Lantern Festival 2026
San Fernando's Ligligan Parul: barangays compete with giant, music-synced parol lanterns in mid-December.
San Fernando
© Barrera marquez · CC BYFri
26
Mar
Fri, Mar 26
San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites 2027
Good Friday re-enactment of the Passion in Cutud, San Fernando, known worldwide for its real crucifixions.
Barangay San Pedro Cutud