(Photo courtesy : PIA Aklan)
Kalibo is once again awash in color, sound, and devotion as the countdown to the Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival brings the town’s streets to life with nonstop celebration. With drums pounding and chants of “Viva Señor Sto. Niño!” echoing through the air, locals and visitors alike have poured into festival zones, drawn by the infectious energy of sadsad street dancing and the deeply rooted traditions of Aklan.
The week-long pre-festival celebrations reached a high point on January 12 with the Patik Ati Battle of Ati-Atihan Bands, a lively revival of what was once known as Balik Patik. Competing bands filled Mabini Street with music and movement, dancing their way toward Kalibo Pastrana Park in a vibrant display of rhythm and creativity. Adding to the spectacle, festivalgoers joined in Color My Ati festivities at the Kalibo Ati-Atihan County Inn, where art, culture, and community spirit blended seamlessly.
Beyond the street dances, Kalibo has rolled out a full slate of activities that celebrate both tradition and local enterprise. The Kalibo Ati-Atihan Product Expo at CityMall Kalibo, running from January 12 to 21, showcases homegrown products and crafts, while Kaean-an sa Plasa invites visitors to savor Aklan’s well-loved delicacies at Kalibo Pastrana Park from January 12 to 18. Each night, the celebration continues at Hala Bira Ati-Atihan Nights in Kalibo Magsaysay Park, where local bands deliver high-energy performances that keep the festive mood alive well into the evening.
The highlight of the celebration arrives on January 17 with the Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan Contest and the Individual Costume Contest. Participants will take over Osmeña Avenue Capitol before dancing their way to Kalibo Pastrana Park, transforming the route into a moving tapestry of color, devotion, and heritage.
With authorities projecting around 150,000 devotees, tourists, and revelers this year, Kalibo is preparing for one of its most vibrant celebrations yet. More than a festival, Ati-Atihan remains a powerful expression of faith, culture, and communal joy—an experience that continues to define Aklan’s identity and draw the nation’s attention every January.
All activities for this year’s Ati-Atihan Festival are organized by the Local Government of Kalibo through the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board, ensuring that the town’s most iconic celebration remains both deeply rooted in tradition and open to all who wish to join the revelry.