Bacolod City will stage the 2026 Bacolaodiat Festival, one of the country’s biggest Chinese New Year celebrations, across four festival sites from February 20 to 22.

The Bacolod City Government Center grounds will serve as the main festival site, along with three other designated venues — Megaworld’s The Upper East, SM City Bacolod, and Ayala Malls Capitol.

The 2026 Lunar New Year falls on February 17, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse.

Festival organizers yesterday announced one of the main competitions, the Chinese Lantern Installation Contest, to celebrate culture, artistry and tradition through light.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city government will provide P5 million in financial assistance to Bacolaodiat, Inc.

“I already asked for an authority from the city council to sign a memorandum of agreement for the city to release the amount,” he added.

Now in its 21st year, the Bacolaodiat Festival features traditional events, such as cultural performances, lantern street and arena dance competition, and Asian food crawl.

The festival’s name was coined from the words “Baco” for Bacolod and “lao diat,” Fookien for celebration, highlighting the strong connection between the city and the local Filipino-Chinese community. (PNA)