Philippine Pasko Festival
A two-day Filipino Christmas festival with music, dance and a whole heap of food stalls.
Overview
Sydney is set to gain a major dose of Filipino culture when the annual Philippine Pasko Festival returns to Darling Harbour for its fourth year running. The two-day Christmas event will take over Tumbalong Park from Saturday, November 9 through Sunday, November 10, and feature live entertainment, lantern making competitions and — most importantly — a whole heap of food stalls.
Those stalls will, of course, be slinging sweet and savoury Filipino favourites. Most notable is the holiday season go-to lechón — a whole roasted suckling pig, sliced and served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. In previous years, the offering has also included Filipino barbecued skewers (pork, chicken and longaniza sausage varieties), plus plates of whole fried fish and bowls of chicharrón (pork crackling).
For those with a sweet tooth, expect cones of ube (purple yam) ice cream, deep-fried banana on a stick and halo halo in a cup. The latter is possibly the Philippines' best known dessert — a shaved ice treat consists of layers of sweetened beans, coconut strips and jellies, all topped with ice cream and a drizzle of evaporated milk.
Apart from all the food, there will be Filipino song and dance performances throughout the day. The festival will run from 10am–8pm on Saturday and from 11am–7pm on Sunday. And entry is free, so all you need to bring is your empty stomach.
Images: Bronnie Barnett
Information
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