Everyone’s favorite Manila street party is back, gathering the very best of the Philippine creative community for a celebration of sights and sounds, heritage, and fresh ideas in downtown Manila.
For the past few years, “hola, Escolta!” has transformed the streets of downtown Manila into a melting pot of culture, history, and community that captures the spirit of our Philippine creative landscape. This November 22 to 29, 2025, the beloved street party event returns for a celebration of artists, craftsmen, musicians, and makers, each independent creator amplified through the accessible platform. It’s a space where both seasoned and emerging voices find opportunities, and diverse voices from different backgrounds converge to create a space designed for future generations to flourish.
As with previous years, this year’s “hola, Escolta!” promises a week full of workshops, markets, fairs, food merchants, exhibitions, dialogues, and performances, Manila’s streets being both muse and canvas. The event is also a tribute to Escolta, which is not only the country’s premier business district, but also a creative and artistic hub that has seeded many contributions to the rich history of the Philippines.
READ ALSO: Tanaw: Designing A Future For The Youth
A Multi-Dimensional Celebration
“hola, Escolta!” will extend past the streets and into the many floors of the First United Building. Visitors can expect an assortment of activities and performances, including trivia nights, film screenings, dance performances, drag performances, and DJ sets.
Some of this year’s DJs include Chain Messages, Edgy Teresa, Freqrelevant, Sai Versailles, DJ Better Living, and Celeste Lapida. Live music performances include those of Tarsius, Ourselves the Elves, and Washere, among others.
“hola, Escolta!” runs from November 22 to 29, 2025. For more information on the event visit their official Instagram @holaescolta. Access the full schedule, lineup of activities, and other additional information through this digital event guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hola, Escolta! is an annual street festival held in the historic Escolta district of downtown Manila, celebrating Philippine creative culture through art markets, exhibitions, live music, workshops, and performances. The 2025 edition runs from November 22 to 29 across Escolta’s streets and the First United Building.
The 2025 program includes art markets, exhibitions, film screenings, trivia nights, drag performances, DJ sets, and live music. Performing artists include Tarsius, Ourselves the Elves, and Washere, with DJs such as Chain Messages, Edgy Teresa, Freqrelevant, and Sai Versailles among the featured acts.
Hola, Escolta! takes place in Escolta, historically the Philippines’ premier business district and a long-standing hub of creative and artistic activity. The festival uses the district’s streets and the First United Building as its primary venues, honoring Escolta’s cultural contributions to Philippine history.
The festival gathers independent artists, craftsmen, musicians, food merchants, and makers from across the Philippine creative community. It is designed as an accessible platform for both established and emerging voices, with programming that spans visual art, performance, food, and dialogue.
The complete schedule, activity lineup, and additional event details for the 2025 edition are available through the official digital event guide shared on the Hola, Escolta! Instagram account at @holaescolta.
