ILOILO City – Art is moving out of galleries and theaters and into the heart of Iloilo City’s communities as the city government transforms public plazas into accessible stages for culture, creativity and heritage during the Iloilo Arts Festival 2026.
Leading the push is the first-ever Art in the Park, which will turn La Paz Plaza into a three-day cultural hub from Oct. 23 to 25, bringing visual arts, live performances, fashion, film, food and other activities directly to the public.
Carrying the theme “Arts in Our Plaza: Open Spaces, Shared Stories,” the initiative marks a shift toward using ordinary community spaces as venues where Ilonggos can experience different forms of artistic expression without the traditional barriers of galleries and formal performance halls.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the concept is intended to make art more accessible by gathering different artistic forms in a single public space where residents and visitors can freely participate.
“What makes this different is that we are bringing many forms of art together in one place,” Treñas said.
She said the use of public plazas also reflects the city government’s effort to provide residents with more opportunities for outdoor recreation while exposing them to Iloilo’s culture and arts.
“People have been appreciating outdoor activities, and we want to give them another opportunity to enjoy the arts in an open and accessible space,” the mayor said.
Treñas said preparations are also being made for possible weather disruptions so festival activities can continue even in case of rain.
For three days, La Paz Plaza will host a Visual Arts Exhibition at its pavement area from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A Food Festival along Jereos Street will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., while full-band performances will be staged every evening from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Oct. 24, Eksena sa Barangay will be held at the La Paz Gym, while Eksena sa Iloilo will take place at the Delfin Jaranilla Center. The festival’s opening program at the main stage will start at 3 p.m.
Activities will continue on Oct. 25 with a fashion show at the koi pond area, a performance of Ibong Adarna and an outdoor film showing.
Outdoor busking performances are also scheduled on Oct. 23 and 25, bringing live music throughout the public-space setting.
Treñas said the city wants the festival to provide places where residents can temporarily break from their daily routines while reconnecting with Iloilo’s cultural identity.
“For us, it is also about giving people time to step away from their everyday work and activities and simply appreciate culture and heritage,” she said.
The mayor said the activities offer a two-fold benefit — providing residents an opportunity to relax while deepening their appreciation of the city’s culture and heritage.
“It is really two things. People get to have time to rest from their daily activities, and at the same time, they get to appreciate the culture and heritage of Iloilo,” Treñas said.
MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION
Art in the Park forms part of a wider lineup of activities throughout October for the Iloilo Arts Festival 2026.
These include the Eksena Workshops on Oct. 9, ICFest at Festive Mall from Oct. 14 to 18, and the Urban Streetscape Design Competition at the Delfin Jaranilla Center on Oct. 17.
Treñas also proposed holding a Free Museum Day on Oct. 23, which would allow residents and visitors to enter participating museums without paying admission fees.
The proposed initiative is intended to provide another avenue for the public to experience Iloilo City’s cultural resources during Arts Festival Month.
Treñas stressed that the festival goes beyond performances and exhibitions and seeks to encourage Ilonggos to engage with their own cultural heritage.
“We want our people to have opportunities to appreciate our culture and heritage, and at the same time, we want our public spaces to become places where stories can be shared and creativity can be expressed,” she said.
Through the inaugural Art in the Park, the city government hopes to bring artistic and cultural experiences beyond traditional venues and directly into community spaces regularly used by Ilonggos./PN