The 427th fiesta of Carcar City runs from Sunday, 15 November to Wednesday, 25 November 2026, with nightly shows at the Carcar City Oval. The big days are the Kabkaban Festival on 22 November, TJ Monterde on the 24th, and the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria on the 25th, with 6cyclemind closing the night.
The city schedule below comes from the official calendar of activities the City Government of Carcar posted on 3 November on its Sidlak Carcar, Sadya Carcar page, plus the event posters it has shared since. The church schedule is from the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria, posted on 10 November. This year’s city theme is “Carcar: Nagkahiusa sa Pagtuo ug Gugma ni Santa Catalina de Alexandria.”
New to the festival? Read our Kabkaban Festival guide for its history, and the complete guide to Carcar City for the rest of the city.
What is on each day of the fiesta?
All city events are at the Carcar City Oval unless another venue is given.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 Nov | 8 AM | Drum and lyre bugle corps competition |
| 1 PM | Agro Fair opening, People’s Park | |
| 3 PM | Fiesta opening parade | |
| 4 PM | Queen of Carcar sashing ceremony, after the parade | |
| 5 PM | Fiesta Zumba Festival (wear red) | |
| 8 PM | Carcar Got Talent | |
| Mon 16 Nov | 8 PM | LGU Night: Broadway musical competition |
| Tue 17 Nov | 8 PM | DepEd Night: “Unity in faith, oneness in action: the resilience of a community amidst El Niño” |
| Wed 18 Nov | 8 AM | Veterinary services, City Hall grounds |
| 8 PM | CAPSA Dance Clash Competition 2026 | |
| Thu 19 Nov | 8 PM | Carcar Water District Night: a musical journey of faith, creation, communion and resilience |
| Fri 20 Nov | 8 PM | Queen of Carcar All-Stars 2026 |
| Sat 21 Nov | 8 PM | 5th Carcar Popular Music Songwriting Competition |
| Sun 22 Nov | 3 PM | Kabkaban Festival 2026: street dancing competition |
| Evening | Kabkaban Festival 2026: grand ritual showdown | |
| Mon 23 Nov | 6 PM | Lunhaw program official launch |
| 8 PM | ABC Night: Kasadya, featuring Mommy Jupeta | |
| Tue 24 Nov | 8 PM | Kabkad Music Festival 2026: TJ Monterde, with Phylum |
| Wed 25 Nov | 8 PM | People’s Concert: 6cyclemind, with Wetslipperz |
When is the Kabkaban Festival?
Sunday, 22 November, at the Carcar City Oval. The street dancing competition starts at 3 PM. The city calls this year’s edition the 25th Kabkaban Festival.
The grand ritual showdown is listed at 7 PM on the calendar of activities, but a later city post gives 8 PM. That post presents the ritual as “Yamog sa Dahong Nangalarag”, a five-act play by Kabkad Entertainment Productions. Go early either way, since it is the busiest night of the fiesta, and the parish holds a 5 PM novena Mass the same evening.
Who is performing at the fiesta concerts?
Two concerts close the fiesta, both at 8 PM at the Carcar City Oval:
- Tuesday, 24 November: Kabkad Music Festival 2026, headlined by TJ Monterde, with Phylum as the front act.
- Wednesday, 25 November: People’s Concert, headlined by 6cyclemind, with Wetslipperz as the front act.
The city’s posts do not mention tickets or entrance fees. Check the city page before you go.
What is the church schedule for the feast of St. Catherine?
The parish theme is “Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Inviting All to the Table of Communion.” These are the main celebrations at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria:
| Date | Time | Celebration |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Nov | 8 AM | Bayanihan (parish clean-up) |
| 12 noon | Fiesta sa Nayon | |
| Sun 15 Nov | 3 PM | Misa Concelebrada, opening the fiesta |
| Mon 16 to Mon 23 Nov | 5:30 PM | Novena Masses, days 1 to 8 (6 PM on Sat 21 Nov, 5 PM on Sun 22 Nov) |
| Sat 21 Nov | 2 PM | Confirmation |
| Tue 24 Nov | 5:30 PM | Vesperas Mass |
| 6:30 PM | Solemn foot procession | |
| Wed 25 Nov | 10 AM | Misa Pontifical, with Archbishop Alberto S. Uy of Cebu |
| Thu 26 Nov | 3 PM | Pilgrims’ Mass, in thanksgiving |
| 6:30 PM | Holy hour and benediction |
On the feast day itself, 25 November, the parish also lists Masses at 4:30, 6 and 8 AM and at 3, 5 and 7 PM. A rosary and novena prayer is held at 4 PM on most novena days. Archbishop-Emeritus Jose S. Palma leads the novena Mass on Sunday, 22 November.
The 427th count goes back to 1599, when Augustinian friars established the parish of Carcar, one of the oldest in Cebu (The Old Churches).
How do I join the free spay and neuter program?
Pre-register at the City Veterinary Office before the procedure day, Wednesday, 18 November. The city’s veterinary office set these rules:
- Filipino-breed dogs and cats only (aspin and puspin), no purebreds.
- Females from 8 months to 5 years old, males from 6 months to 5 years old.
- Fully vaccinated against rabies.
- Not pregnant, nursing or in heat.
- Up to two pets per owner. Slots are limited.
What should you know before you go?
- Times can change. The ritual showdown time has already moved once. Check the city’s page on the day.
- Eat local between events. The lechon stalls are in the public market. See our Carcar lechon guide.
- Make a day of it. Our guide to things to do in Carcar covers the church, the museum and the rotunda.
- Staying over? Book early for the Kabkaban weekend and the 24th and 25th. Browse hotels in Carcar.
- Keep your phone and wallet close in the crowds at the Oval and during the procession.
The City Government of Carcar organizes the fiesta. CarcarCity.com is an independent local site, not the city government.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Carcar City fiesta in 2026?
The city's program runs from Sunday, 15 November to Wednesday, 25 November 2026. The feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Carcar's patroness, is on 25 November. The parish adds a novena from 16 November and a thanksgiving Mass on 26 November.
When is the Kabkaban Festival in 2026?
Sunday, 22 November 2026, at the Carcar City Oval. The street dancing competition starts at 3 PM and the grand ritual showdown follows in the evening. The city calls this the 25th Kabkaban Festival.
Who is performing at the Carcar fiesta concerts?
TJ Monterde headlines the Kabkad Music Festival on 24 November, with Phylum as front act. 6cyclemind headlines the People's Concert on 25 November, with Wetslipperz as front act. Both start at 8 PM at the Carcar City Oval.
What time is the fiesta Mass on 25 November?
The Misa Pontifical is at 10 AM, led by Archbishop Alberto S. Uy of Cebu. The parish also lists Masses at 4:30, 6 and 8 AM and at 3, 5 and 7 PM that day.
When is the procession for St. Catherine?
The solemn foot procession is on Tuesday, 24 November, at 6:30 PM, after the 5:30 PM Vesperas Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Where are the fiesta events held?
Almost every city event is at the Carcar City Oval. The Agro Fair opens at People's Park and the free veterinary services are at the City Hall grounds. Church activities are at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
How do I join the free spay and neuter program?
Pre-register at the City Veterinary Office before 18 November. It is for Filipino-breed (aspin and puspin) dogs and cats that are fully vaccinated against rabies, up to two pets per owner, and slots are limited.
