The people of Hilongos town in Leyte province celebrate the Alikaraw Festival every December 31 — the end of the year.

The Alikaraw Festival is a way to give thanks to petal fairies, celebrate their blessings, and hope for a bountiful year ahead through dances and songs with colourful flower costumes.

Leyteños believe that fairies sway their magic petals to make sure that flowers grow and bloom.

However, they also believe that with the faith of the Holy Child, the powerful Sto. Niño, flowers will generate more colorful breeds in the future

Alikaraw stands for movement, progress, and fluidity. It applies to anything that interacts, cooperates, or anything that acts and works together as one. Alikaraw festival believes that the universe and nature are intermingled with various lives and it is worthy of the deepest religious reverence. Understanding them, appreciating their beauty and magnificence, and preserving nature, is the central focus of the lives of the people behind Alikaraw. This is the only festival that upholds true celebration of live as it provide a sense of positive belonging to nature, God creator and the Universe.

Alikaraw Festival is also one of the most interesting and highly entertaining special events in Hilongos. This colorful festival never fails to amaze tourists and guests, particularly because it commemorates the ancient ritual of a local tribe in Leyte. At the same time, this event is a celebration of the rich natural resources of the place, which boasts of pristine forests and beautiful orchids.  

During the celebrations, Hilongosnons and other guests witness enjoyable dance presentations, as well as outstanding concerts that feature many talented homegrown singers. The Alikaraw festival was a way to show others how creative and wonderful Hilongos and the people that live in it are. During the festival, we have a dance contest wherein different dance groups show Hilongos' rich history. These groups compete against each other and the one that won will be the town's representative in Kasadya-an Festival held in Tacloban City, Leyte.