- P21-M Duaw Davao 2026 jam-packed with arts, sports, tourism events
THE CITY government allocated P21 million for this year’s edition of Duaw Davao, featuring arts, sports, colors, and tourism events that will kick off on June 5.
Speaking during the Duaw Davao media launch on Thursday, Will Tormis Jr., OIC of the City Tourism Operations Office, said the festival aims to draw at least 250,000 visitors.
“Relatively, it (the budget) is not as huge as the Kadayawan, but we tried to collaborate with private sponsorships,” he said, noting the amount excludes the non-monetary sponsorships to cover the month-long activities.
He added that the money this year is similar to last year, but they have more events for 2026 as the office is maximizing the available funds.
He is optimistic that with the line-up of activities, visitor arrivals can surpass last year’s turnout of nearly 200,000.
He reported that the city has already seen a 15-17% increase in tourist arrivals from January to April.
This year’s Duaw are anchored in four pillars: “Duaw ta sa Davao Tourismo,” “Duaw ta sa Arts and Colors,” “Duaw ta sa Fiesta sa San Pedro,” and “Duaw ta sa Sports and Lifestyle.”
The month-long celebration starts with The Big Duaw Davao Sale, running from June 1 to 30.
From June 5 to 7, the Duaw Davao Volleyball League is held at the Davao City Recreation Center starting at 8 a.m.
On June 8, the Reyna ng Davao 2026: The Interview Rounds will be conducted at LPU Freedom Hall at 1 p.m. The Duaw Davao Walking Tour is scheduled on multiple dates: June 6, 13, and 27 for the Chinatown Walk, and June 20 for the Art Walk.
On June 13, the Reyna ng Davao 2026: The Preliminaries will be held at Ayala Malls Abreeza at 3 p.m., and on June 19, the Reyna ng Davao 2026: The Grand Coronation takes place at RMC Petro Gazz Arena at 7 p.m.
The Duaw Davao Kape ug Tsokolate Crawl runs from June 15 to July 15, while the Duaw Davao Esports Tournament follows on June 20 at The Annex at SM City Davao, beginning at 10 a.m.
On June 21, two major events are lined up: the Duaw Davao Pride Parade from Roxas to People’s Park at 3 p.m., and the Duaw Davao Night of Music & Colors at People’s Park Open Grounds at 7 p.m.
From June 18 to 26, the Duaw Davao Film Showcase: Kulay, Sine + Sining screens at Cinematheque Centre Davao – FDCP at 3 p.m.
The Duaw Davao: The All-In Expo, featuring films and arts exhibits, a tourism showcase, and a food bazaar, runs from June 22 to 24 at Ayala Malls Abreeza starting at 10 a.m.
This year’s additional event takes place on June 27, the Fiesta sa San Pedro 2026: Sayaw-Saulog sa Kadalanan, which lights up San Pedro Street at 7 p.m.
From June 27 to 28, two concurrent events are held: the Fiesta sa San Pedro 2026: Manokan-Anan Food Bazaar along San Pedro Street at 10 a.m., and the Duaw Davao Pickleball Tournament at Paddle Republic starting at 8 a.m.
On June 28, the return of the Duaw Davao Cheerdance Competition will take place at the Davao City Recreation Center at 3 p.m.
Finally, on June 29, the 178th Parochial Fiesta of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pedro is celebrated with a Solemn Pontifical Mass at San Pedro Cathedral at 9:30 a.m.
