Sinulog is a popular festival held annually on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. It is a cultural and religious event that celebrates the Santo Niño de Cebu, a small religious statue that was given to the Queen of Cebu by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 16th century.
The festival features a grand parade with floats, dancers in colorful costumes, and music, as well as other activities such as religious processions and traditional games. The highlight of the festival is the street dance, which is a rhythmic dance that involves the swaying of the hips to the beat of the drums. The festival is attended by millions of people from all over the Philippines and the world, and is a major tourist attraction in the country.
[adToAppearHere]
Sinulog Schedule and Date
The Festival is held annually on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. It is a week-long event that culminates in the grand parade on Sunday, which is the main attraction of the festival. The exact date of the Festival changes from year to year, so it is best to check the official website or with local authorities for the exact dates of the festival.
Official Sinulog Schedule of EVENTS and ACTIVITIES
January 5, 2024
- 4:00AM- Walk With Jesus @ Basilica del Sto Niño, Assembly Fuente Osmeña, Jones, Osmeña Blvd to Sto. Niño
- 6:00AM- Opening Salvo Mass @ Basilica del Sto. Niño
January 6, 2024: Sinulog Kick-off
- 10:00AM- Sinulog 2024 Trade Fair ℅ DTI @ SM Seaside City Cebu
- 2:30PM- Mass @ Basilica Pilgrim Quardangle
- 3:00PM- Launching Parade (Traditional Route) @ Basilica to CCSC or Alternative
- 7:00PM- Opening Nightly Shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @ Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
[adToAppearHere]
January 7, 2024
- 1:00PM- Sinulog sa Kabataan @ SRP Grounds
- 3:00PM- Ver Festival @ SM Seaside Concert Grounds
- 7:00PM- Nightly Shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @ Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
January 8, 2024
- 4:00AM- Cebu Marathon @ TBA
- 1:00PM- Parade Sinulog sa Kabataan Participants @ Plaza Sugbo or Plaza Independencia to SRP/Plaza Sugbo to Jakosalem, Juan Luna
- 2:00PM- Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan @ SRP Grounds
- 7:00PM- Nightly Shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @ Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
January 9, 2024
- 7:00PM- Nightly Shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @ Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
January 10, 2024
- 7:00PM- Nightly Shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @ Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
January 11, 2024
- 9:00AM- Balikbayan Welcome @ MCIA
- 7:00PM – Nightly shows @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia
- Miss Cebu 2024 Coronation Night @ Nustar Resort & Casino
- 8:00PM- Sinulog Idol @Fuente Osmeña or Mall Venue (TBA)
- 9:00PM- Bispop @ Fuente Osmeña, Plaza Independencia, or SRP Grounds
January 12, 2024
- 6:00PM- “Balik Cebu” Welcome Party @ Mall Venue (TBA)
- 7:00PM- Sinulog Festival Queen Runway Competition @ Mall Venue (TBA)
- 8:00PM Handumanan” @ Mall Venue (TBA)
- Sinulog Idol Grand Finals @ Fuente Osmeña or Plaza Independencia
January 13, 2024
- 4:00AM- Walk with Mary @ Fuente to Basilica Asembly Fuente Osmeña, Jones, Osmeña Blvd to Sto. Niño
- 9:00AM- Grand Orientation for ALL Sinulog 2024 Contestants (Contigents, Floats, Puppeteers, Higante, etc) @ Cebu City Hall 9th Floor or Social Hall
- 6:00PM Sugbuanong Musikero @ Fuente Osmeña
Mayor’s Night @ Nustar - 7:30PM- Festival Queen Coronation Night @ Nustar or Il Corso
8:00PM- Cebu Pop Music Festival @ UV Gymnasium
January 14, 2024
- 6:00AM- Fluvial Procession
- 9:00AM- Re-Enactment of Queen Juana & Rajak Humabon’s Baptism @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 2:00PM- Solemn Procession @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 7:00PM- Fireworks Display & Competition @ SRP Grounds
- 8:00PM- Party at the Parks @ Fuente Osmeña & Plaza Independencia
January 15, 2024
- 4:00AM-Mananita Mass @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 5:00AM- Pontifical Mass by his presence Jose S. Palma @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 8:00AM- Sinulog Fiesta Day Holy Mass Celebration @ SRP Stage
- 9:00AM- Sinulog 2024 Grand Parade @ SRP Grounds
- 7:00PM- Sinulog 2024 Grand FInale & Grand FIreworks @ SRP Grounds
- 8:00PM- Street Party or Concert @ Fuente Osmeña & Plaza Independencia
- 9:00PM- Pyrospectacula Show/Pyro Musical @ Mall Venue (TBA)
January 16, 2024
- Sinulog 2024 Awarding Ceremonies @ CCSC
- Basilic Thangksgiving Day @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
January 20, 2024: “Hubo” @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
January 22, 2024: Cebu City Triathlon @ TBA
January 26, 2024: Photo Contest Judging @ CCSC
January 27, 2024: Video & Short Film Judging @ CCSC
February 4, 2024: Photo COntest, Video & Short Film Awarding Ceremonies @ Mall Venue (TBA)
February 4 – 13, 2024: Photo Exhibit @ Mall Venue (TBA)
Experience Sinulog Festival in Cebu:
Here are a few steps you can follow to attend the Festival:
Plan your trip: Consider the dates of the festival and make arrangements for transportation, accommodation, and any other necessary arrangements. You may also want to research the local culture and customs to better understand the festival and make the most of your trip.
[adToAppearHere]
Book your transportation and accommodation: There are a number of options for getting to Cebu City, including flights, buses, and ferries. You can also find a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, hostels, and guest houses.
Attend the grand parade: The grand parade is the main attraction of the Sinulog Festival and is held on the Sunday of the festival. It features floats, dancers in colorful costumes, and music, and is a great opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of Cebu.
Participate in other activities: There are many other activities and events that take place during the Festival, including religious processions, traditional games, and cultural performances. You can choose to participate in these activities to learn more about the local culture and have a more immersive experience.
Respect the local culture and customs: It is important to respect the cultural and religious significance of the Sinulog Festival, as well as the local customs and traditions. Be mindful of your behavior and dress appropriately, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Activities in Sinulog Festival
Some of the activities and attractions you can enjoy include:
- Watch the Parade: The parade is the main attraction of the festival and features floats, dancers in colorful costumes, and music. It is held on the Sunday of the festival and is a great opportunity to see the vibrant culture of Cebu.
- Join the Sinulog dance: The Sinulog dance is a rhythmic dance that involves the swaying of the hips to the beat of the drums. It is a fun and energetic dance that is easy to learn and participate in.
[adToAppearHere]
- Visit the Santo Niño de Cebu Museum: The Santo Niño de Cebu is a small religious statue that is central to the festival. The museum is a great place to learn more about the history and significance of the statue.
- Explore the street food: The Sinulog Festival is a great opportunity to try some of the local street food. You can find a wide variety of delicious dishes and snacks, including grilled meats, seafood, and traditional desserts.
- Attend religious processions: The Sinulog Festival is a religious event and there are a number of religious processions that take place during the festival. You can attend these processions and learn more about the Catholic faith in the Philippines.
- Participate in traditional games: There are a number of traditional games and activities that take place during the Sinulog Festival, such as tug-of-war and blowgun competitions. You can join in the fun and participate in these games.
Sinulog “Word” History
The word “Sinulog” comes from the Cebuano word “sulog,” which refers to the water current of the Cebu River. The festival is named after this water current because it is believed to be a manifestation of the Santo Niño de Cebu, the small religious statue that is central to the festival.
The festival is held in honor of the Santo Niño, who is believed to be the patron saint of Cebu. The festival features a grand parade with floats, dancers in colorful costumes, and music, as well as other activities such as religious processions and traditional games. The highlight of the festival is the Sinulog dance, which is a rhythmic dance that involves the swaying of the hips to the beat of the drums.
Here are some dos and don’ts for the Sinulog Festival:
DO:
- Respect the cultural and religious significance of the festival.
- Wear appropriate clothing. This means dressing modestly, especially when visiting churches or religious sites.
- Respect the local customs and traditions.
- Try some of the local street food and other traditional dishes.
- Buy souvenirs from local vendors to support the local economy.
DON’T:
- Bring illegal drugs or weapons to the festival.
- Engage in inappropriate or disrespectful behavior, such as public intoxication or lewd conduct.
- Litter or damage public property.
- Take photos or videos of people without their permission.
- Buy counterfeit or pirated goods, as this supports illegal activities and harms local businesses.
[adToAppearHere]
Enjoy the Beauty of Cebu and what Sinulog Festival Can Offer
Experience the vibrant culture of Cebu. The Sinulog Festival is a great opportunity to learn about the rich culture of Cebu and the Philippines. The festival features a grand parade with floats, dancers in colorful costumes, and music, as well as other activities such as religious processions and traditional games. The Festival is held in Cebu City, which is a beautiful and historic city with a rich cultural heritage. During the festival, you can explore the city and see its many landmarks and attractions, such as the Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and Taoist Cemetery.
The said Festival is attended by millions of people from all over the Philippines and the world, so it is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Support the local economy by attending the festival and buying souvenirs from local vendors, you can support the local economy and help preserve the cultural traditions of Cebu.
[adToAppearHere]
Enjoy life at the fullest. The Festival is a fun and exciting event that is sure to be a memorable experience. You can dance to the lively music, try some delicious local food, and participate in the many activities and events that take place during the festival.
