Higalaay Festival

The Higalaay Festival, formerly known as the Kagay-an Festival, is the premier annual celebration of Cagayan de Oro, spanning the entire month of August. The festival kicks off with agro-fairs and culinary events like Kumbira, followed by an official opening ceremony at Rio de Oro Boulevard. Throughout the month, the city hosts a wide variety of activities including the Mindanao Fashion Summit, the Miss Cagayan de Oro pageant, and numerous sports competitions ranging from marathons to pickleball and equestrian shows.

The festival's most anticipated events occur during the final week, notably the Higalaay Streetdancing Competition, which features colorful costumes and performances moving through the city's main thoroughfares. This is followed by the Civic-Military Parade and a major religious fluvial procession on August 28, where the city's patron saint is honored with a river parade ending at Duaw Park. Additionally, the festival often includes community-focused perks such as scheduled free carnival rides at local venues like the Limketkai Center.