The festival will happen in the heart of one of the country’s largest Filipino communities.
Kicking off on Philippine Independence Day, Friday, June 12 2026, the inaugural West HQ Filipino Festival is a three-weekend celebration of Filipino culture, food, music and community spirit.
This is West HQ’s latest initiative to help encourage and bolster stronger community connections, a core purpose of the venue since its establishment as an RSL more than 60 years ago.
West HQ’s Chief Commercial & Communications Officer, Robert Squillacioti, said that with more than 35,000 Blacktown residents identifying as having Filipino ancestry, the festival was a nod to the people, families and culture that help make the area one of Australia’s great multicultural communities.
“This festival is about celebration — big food, big music, big energy and a big thank you to the Filipino community that is such an important part of Western Sydney,” Mr Squillacioti said.
“The Filipino community has helped shape the character of Blacktown and the surrounding region. This is our way of recognising that contribution and creating a place where people can come together, bring their families, share their culture and celebrate with pride.
“And for anyone who hasn’t experienced a Filipino celebration before, I suggest you come hungry, bring your friends and expect a great night out.”
Stephen Bali MP, Member for Blacktown and Co-Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of the Philippines, welcomed West HQ’s decision to celebrate Filipino culture and community through holding the festival.
“The festival lands in the heart of one of Australia’s most significant Filipino communities, with more than 25,000 Blacktown residents born in the Philippines and another 10,000 residents having Filipino ancestry,” Mr Bali said.
“For many Filipino Australian families in Western Sydney, Philippine Independence Day is a moment of pride, memory and connection. To see that celebrated at this scale, in the heart of Blacktown, is incredibly meaningful.
“It is tremendous to see West HQ continue to evolve its commitment to the community by helping further foster community bonds and support multiculturalism.”
Across the three weekends, West HQ will come alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of the Philippines, from lechon, BBQ-style street food, handmade desserts and halo-halo, to live bands, DJs, karaoke, and a major prize promotion giving members and guests the chance to win one of two luxury Philippines holidays.
The opening night on June 12 will mark Philippine Independence Day with a special launch event, live entertainment and headline performances, including the youngest X Factor winner, Marlisa Punzalan, and popular Sydney-based Filipino band known for their electrifying stage presence and diverse repertoire, Mayoras Project Band.
Mr Squillacioti said the festival was intended to become a new annual highlight for Western Sydney. “Western Sydney doesn’t do culture quietly - and we don’t want this festival to be quiet either,” he said.
“We want the West HQ Filipino Festival to be colourful, welcoming and full of life. Most importantly, we want it to feel like it belongs to the community.”
Event details
What: West HQ Filipino Festival.
When: Friday 12 June – Sunday 28 June 2026.
Where: West HQ, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill NSW 2766.
For more information, visit www.westhq.com.au
