PhilFest, an annual celebration of all things Filipino, returns to Tampa this weekend

Less than a calendar year after its 2021 rendition, Philfest returns this weekend to bring Tampa steaming hot lechon, cultural dances, singing competitions, kiddie talent shows, cultural exhibitions, and so much more.

The Philippine Cultural Foundation hosts its annual three-day celebration from April 1 to 3 at their headquarters at 14301 Nine Eagles Dr. in Tampa.

Tickets will run you $6 for each day, or $8 if you purchase them at the event. Children under the age of 5 and military veterans (with valid I.D.) can enter Philfest 2022 for free.

There doesn’t seem to be an online ticket link, but advance tickets can be purchased in person at local Pinoy businesses like Tampa Philippine Grocery or Filipiniana Philippine Cafe. According to Philfest’s website, about 10,000 people are expected to attend the celebration this weekend, so it might be a good idea to grab your tickets ahead of time.

Philfest veterans and owners of a brick-and-mortar in Carrollwood Mata’s Philippine Cuisine will be there serving up fresh roasted pork—alongside dozens of other food vendors slinging traditional dishes from every corner the multi-ethnic country.

The Philfest organizers just dropped a full day-by-day schedule on their website, so head to pcfitampa.org to start planning your trip to Tampa this weekend.
Friday’s programming takes place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday’s  runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., while Sunday’s festivities happen from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information can also be found on Philfest’s Facebook at @PhilFestTampa. And if you can’t make it out to this weekend’s festival, browse Creative Loafing’s list of “20 Tampa Bay Filipino restaurants and eateries everyone should try at least once” to get your lumpia and lechon fix at another time. 

This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2022.