Ati-Atihan
January 13-19, Kalibo, Aklan
The most popular festival in Boracay, Aklan, the Ati-Atihan is one of the most anticipated festivals in the Philippines. This Boracay festival commemorates a 13th century land deal between Marikudo, the ruler of most of the land area now known as Aklan, and ten migrating chieftains from Borneo. This festival in Aklan also seeks to honor the Santo Nino, patron saint of Boracay and Aklan.

This Boracay festival is famous worldwide for the primal, earthy reverie inspired by its hundreds of revelers. It truly is an unforgettable sight: soot-covered merrymakers decked out in colorful native costumes, dancing in the streets to the hypnotic rhythms of tribal drums; tourists invited to lose themselves in the pounding beat; vendors on the side streets hawking everything from disposable cameras to headdresses for the adventurous. Every so often, the crowd will send out a throaty yell: “Viva Santo Nino!” Unforgettable.