About Pahiyas Festival
The Pahiyas Festival is a dazzling harvest thanksgiving held every May 15 in the town of Lucban, Quezon, in the Philippines. It honours San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, with the most photogenic tradition in the country: families adorn the façades of their homes with a riot of fruit, vegetables, rice stalks and — the signature touch — kiping, leaf-shaped wafers made from coloured rice paste that shimmer like stained glass in the sun.
The name "pahiyas" comes from the Tagalog word "payas", meaning decoration. Judges tour the town awarding prizes for the most beautiful displays, and visitors wander the streets sampling Lucban longganisa sausage and the local pancit habhab noodles eaten straight off a banana leaf. After the festivities the edible decorations are taken down and shared or cooked, turning the whole celebration into a feast of gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Because it is tied to the feast of San Isidro Labrador, Pahiyas always falls on May 15, so the counter above simply counts down to the next one. Whether you are planning a trip to Lucban, decorating in the same spirit, or just marking the date, add Pahiyas to your own countdown page and count down to the most colourful harvest festival in the Philippines.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Saturday, May 15, 2027next |
| 2028 | Monday, May 15, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, May 15, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, May 15, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, May 15, 2031 |
FAQ
When is Pahiyas Festival?
Pahiyas is held every year on May 15 in Lucban, Quezon, the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. The countdown above shows the time until the next one.
Why is Pahiyas celebrated?
It is a harvest thanksgiving honouring San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, expressing gratitude for a bountiful crop.
How is Pahiyas celebrated?
Townspeople decorate their houses with fruit, vegetables and colourful kiping rice wafers, competing for prizes, while visitors enjoy local dishes like Lucban longganisa and pancit habhab.
What is kiping?
Kiping is a leaf-shaped wafer made from coloured rice paste, the signature decoration of Pahiyas; after the festival it can be grilled or fried and eaten.