Pintaflores Festival — San Carlos City’s Floral & Tattoo Fiesta

If you’re looking for a festival that bursts with color, culture, creativity and a little bit of that “wow, what’s going on here?!” factor—then the Pintaflores Festival in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental is your kind of party. Held every early November (typically 3-5 Nov) the celebration blends floral motifs, tattoo‐inspired body art, street dancing and vibrant local pride.

People in beautiful costumes

What’s the vibe?

Imagine the city streets filled with dancers whose arms, legs and torsos are canvases for painted flowers and swirling patterns. Costumes explode in petal shapes, bursts of bright color, and intricate details. It’s joyful, theatrical, musical—it’s both a thanksgiving and a creative display of place.The name says it: “Pinta” (tattoo/paint) + “Flores” (flowers). Together they capture the festival’s twin themes of body artistry and floral abundance.

The story behind the flower-paint

Legend has it that a princess (Princess Nabingka) landed in what’s now San Carlos City and fell ill. Local healers tried flower beds to cure her—but the flowers wouldn’t bloom. So instead the villagers painted flowers on her and used floral motifs in her healing. From that myth came the blend of nature + art that we see each year.Over time two separate events merged—the old Nabingkalan Tattoo Festival (body art) and the Dance of Flowers—giving birth to the modern Pintaflores.

What to expect when you go

• Street dance parades: Groups perform elaborate routines, full of choreography, music, and synchronized movement. Costumes highlight floral designs, painted bodies, and motifs of nature or local myth.

  
  

• Body & face painting: Not just costumes—many participants become living canvas, decorated with floral tattoos and patterns.

  
  

• Pageantry & competition: The festival features a “Miss San Carlos City / Festival Queen” competition where contestants wear inspired costumes drawn from the floral-tattoo theme.

  
  

• Food & local flavor: While you’re watching the parades, make sure to sample local delicacies unique to the region—rice cakes, sweet snacks, peanut brittle, local chicken dishes.

Why you should add this to your travel list

• It’s visually distinct. Few festivals combine body-art and floral extravaganza in quite the same way.

  
  

• It’s culturally rich, offering insight into local legend, community identity, and regional pride.

  
  

• It’s off the massive-crowd path compared to some mega-festivals—giving more authentic interactions and experiences.

  
  

• Early November is a fine time climate-wise in the region (after heavier rains) for an event like this.

Travel Tips & Good-Vibes Hacks

• Arrive a day ahead if you can: get familiar with San Carlos City, its streets, pace, local food.

  
  

• For best photos: get into the street parade zone early—look for dancers with painted bodies and floral costumes to capture intimate shots.

  
  

• Respect the body-art: participants put work into their painting and costumes. Ask before photographing up-close.

  
  

• Dress comfortable: you’ll be standing or walking as you take in performances, floats, crowds.

  
  

• Taste the local snacks: find the street-vendors selling regional favorites—makes the experience more immersive.

  
  

• Stay in the city or nearby to avoid long commute after festivities finish.

If you want a festival that’s fun, artistic, and full of local heart—Pintaflores delivers. San Carlos City transforms into a living flower-tapestry of dancers, painted bodies, parades and jubilant community spirit. Think of it as nature’s colors meeting body-art bravado, and you’ll be close to the mood.Pack your camera, bring your enthusiasm—and get ready to dive into a floral‐fun carnival you won’t forget.

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