Soli-Soli Festival

View on map
Arts & CultureSan Francisco/Camotes
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsUnlike festivals built around a saint's
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: PHP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Soli-Soli Festival in San Francisco/Camotes

Soli-Soli Festival celebrates San Francisco town's grass-weaving livelihood on Camotes Island, Cebu, held the third Sunday of March in honor of patron saint St. Joseph the Worker. Named for the tall soli-soli grass that grows along Lake Danao, the festival centers on street dancing and displays of mats, hats, and bags woven from the plant.

San Francisco, the main town on Cebu's Camotes Islands, sits beside Lake Danao, a crater lake ringed with a tall native grass called soli-soli.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike festivals built around a saint's miracle or a historic battle, Soli-Soli is named directly after a plant: the soli-soli grass that grows abundantly along Lake Danao, which generations of San Francisco residents have woven into mats, hats, backpacks, pouches, and other handicrafts

02

The mystery stays covered

Conceived around 2002 by the town's mayor to promote tourism and support this grass-weaving trade, the festival's dance choreography was formally developed in 2004 with a hired artistic consultant, giving the street-dance routines a codified set of steps that other Camotes and Cebu festivals lack

03

The city starts moving

The result is a festival where the costumes, props, and market stalls are all built around one specific cottage industry rather than a general harvest theme

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's core tradition is the weaving of soli-soli grass

Water and renewal

Living ritual

harvested from around Lake Danao

The sacred route

Living ritual

and pouches

The local code

Living ritual

a livelihood the town formally celebrates through trade displays

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Its street-dance component follows the standard central-Visayas format of costumed barangay contingents competing in choreographed showdowns

Tradition 6

Living ritual

here set to a fixed routine developed by a dance consultant in 2004 rather than left to each contingent's own invention

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For Soli-Soli Festival, plan transport around the exact San Francisco/Camotes venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light cotton or linen clothing for tropical island heat, sturdy sandals or closed shoes for walking uneven island streets, sun hat and sunglasses. Modest, casual dress is appropriate for the...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Soli-Soli Festival, stay near the part of San Francisco/Camotes you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

PHP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.65 N, 121.05 EOpen in Google Maps

San Francisco/Camotes, Cebu, Philippines

Nearest airportBPH — Bislig
TransportFor Soli-Soli Festival, plan transport around the exact San Francisco/Camotes venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Soli-Soli Festival, stay near the part of San Francisco/Camotes you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to San Francisco/Camotes via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near San Francisco/Camotes, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearLight cotton or linen clothing for tropical island heat, sturdy sandals or closed shoes for walking uneven island streets, sun hat and sunglasses. Modest, casual dress is appropriate for the Mass and street events; no special dress is expected of spectators.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Philippines and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Soli-Soli Festival?

Soli-Soli Festival is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Soli-Soli Festival take place?

The festival is listed in San Francisco/Camotes, Philippines. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

San Francisco/Camotes, Cebu, Philippines

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcebu.gov.ph
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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