The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival held annually on the fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City, Philippines, in honor of Santo Niño, the Holy Child, and to commemorate the historic pact between the Malay settlers and the indigenous Ati people of Panay.

The festival celebrates the Santo Niño, the Holy Child (or Infant Jesus), and commemorates the pact between the Datus and the indigenous Ati people following the arrival of the Malay settlers, the legendary barter of Panay Island from the natives, and the Maragtas story, which, though significant in local tradition, remains debated as either fact or myth.

On 1968, a replica of the original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo by Fr.

[9] The late Ilonggo broadcaster and writer Pacifico Sumagpao Sudario coined the term "Dinagyang" in 1977 to differentiate it from Aklan's Ati-Atihan.

[10] In that particular year, the Dinagyang organizers and by the Regional Association of National Government Executives invited an actual Ati tribe for the first time from the mountains of Barotac Viejo, and showcase their native dances during the event.

[11] The Dinagyang season officially begins during the Pamukaw (awakening), held annually in December, one month prior to the main celebration in January.

The Opening Salvo of Dinagyang, which takes place annually on the second Friday of January, serves as a proclamation of the official beginning of the highlight week or the main celebration of the festival.

As an added attraction to the Ati Tribes competition, the Kasadyahan was introduced to the Dinagyang Festival in the 1980s to showcase the talents of students and the rich cultural heritage of Iloilo province.

Plans were made to celebrate Kasadyahan in a separate month or possibly incorporate it into Iloilo City’s Charter Day festivities.

[17] The ILOmination is an additional Dinagyang tribes competition where warriors wear colorfully lit costumes.

The event features "Ati warrior" dancers in elaborate costumes, typically including vibrant headdresses adorned with colorful fabrics, feathers, beads, and other embellishments.

The performers dance in choreographed formations, intricate patterns, and chant in unison, all synchronized to the beats of loud drums and improvised percussion instruments created by each tribe (locally called tribu).

However, as Dinagyang evolved and the competition gained worldwide fame and recognition, schools began organizing tribes.

However, in recent years, the original Ati people from the hinterlands of Panay, particularly from the mountains of Barotac Nuevo and Anilao, have been invited to participate non-competitively.

The grand champion of the Ati Tribes Competition receives a trophy and a cash prize,[25] and also gets a chance to perform at the year’s Philippine Independence Day rites in New York City.

[26] They will also represent Dinagyang in the annual Aliwan Fiesta held in the Star City Complex in Pasay, Metro Manila, where they will compete in the dance competition category against other winning groups from festivals across the country.

[27] As of Dinagyang 2025, the reigning grand champion is Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School.

The phrase is frequently shouted during the celebration, popularized by the festival theme song, "Hala Bira, Iloilo!