Camiguin is preparing to welcome visitors for the 47th Lanzones Festival, a week-long celebration that will put the island’s famous fruit, cultural traditions and growing tourism industry in the spotlight.
The festival is scheduled from October 18 to 25, 2026, with pre-festival activities beginning on October 15.
Organisers are preparing a packed programme of cultural performances, competitions, entertainment, trade fairs and community activities as Camiguin seeks to attract thousands of visitors from across the Philippines and overseas.
Festival puts lanzones at centre stage
The annual celebration is built around Camiguin’s agricultural identity and its reputation for producing sweet and highly sought-after lanzones.
The formal opening on October 18 will feature the Grand Lanzones Festival Parade, the opening of the Lanzones Festival and Ugmad Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade Fair 2026, as well as the Lanzones Festival Music and Kabog Showdown.
The events are designed to showcase the province’s local traditions, artistry and agricultural products while giving visitors a closer look at Camiguin’s cultural heritage.
The festival will bring together the island’s five municipalities in a province-wide celebration.
Street dancing, pageants and concerts headline festivities
Visitors can expect a wide range of activities throughout the celebration.
Among the major events are the Lanzones Festival Inter-Agency Streetdancing and Ground Presentation Competitions, Kalanrakas sa Kabataan, Lanzones Festival Rocktober Night and the Ag Sadya Ki Raw: Danzones Inter-Agency Dance Competition.
The programme will also include Buahanan Docufest, the Lanzones Festival King and Queen & Diwata Showdown and the Mutya sa Buahanan Coronation Night.
Nightly open-air concerts will add an entertainment component to the festival, while cultural competitions will highlight performances from local communities and participating groups.
One of the most anticipated additions this year is a 300-drone light show, which will be staged for the first time in Camiguin.
Trade fair promotes local businesses
The Ugmad Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade Fair will give local producers and businesses an opportunity to showcase products from across the province.
The festival serves not only as a tourism event but also as a platform for farmers, entrepreneurs, artists, performers and other local stakeholders.
Organisers hope the influx of visitors will generate additional business for accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, retailers and other tourism-related enterprises.
The event therefore plays an important role in connecting Camiguin’s agricultural identity with its growing tourism economy.
Camiguin gains international attention
This year’s festival comes as Camiguin enjoys increased international visibility.
The island was ranked No. 37 on The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2026” list and was the only Philippine destination included.
The recognition highlighted Camiguin’s natural attractions, distinctive culture, cuisine and immersive travel experiences.
The Lanzones Festival offers another way for visitors to experience those characteristics beyond the island’s beaches, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
For local tourism officials, the timing provides an opportunity to turn international attention into actual visitor arrivals and greater support for the island’s tourism businesses.
More than a fruit festival
Although lanzones remains the centrepiece, the festival has grown into a broader celebration of Camiguin’s identity.
The event brings together agriculture, culture, entertainment and tourism while giving communities an opportunity to showcase traditions that might otherwise receive less attention.
It also provides a platform for promoting locally produced goods and strengthening the economic role of tourism across the island.
With the 47th edition approaching, organisers are expecting strong participation and visitor interest as Camiguin prepares for one of its biggest annual celebrations.
From street dancing and cultural competitions to local products, concerts and a new drone light show, the Lanzones Festival is set to offer visitors a week-long look at why Camiguin is increasingly becoming one of the Philippines’ most distinctive island destinations.
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