Sinulog Festival 2024 this month of January brings with it the eagerly awaited lineup of activities for the Philippines’ largest festival. For those intending to partake in the festivities in Cebu, here is a comprehensive overview.

In the previous year, the Sinulog Festival in 2023 received a somewhat lackluster response from attendees and patrons. This was attributed to the decision of the city government to relocate the street dancing competition to the South Road Properties (SRP), situated a bit further from the city center. The street dancing competition and grand parade, featuring participants adorned in vibrant costumes, dancing to a drumline, are the highlight events of this month-long celebration. It has been confirmed that, in 2024, the competition will persist at SRP.

For those unfamiliar with the Sinulog Festival, it primarily celebrates Santo Niño de Cebu (Child Jesus of Cebu), a statue presented by Portuguese-born Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the Rajah of Cebu in 1521. For Roman Catholic believers, the festival commemorates the introduction of Catholicism to Filipinos. For others, it remains a lively celebration encompassing street parties, funfairs, and various events, with the Grand Parade being a standout.

The Sinulog Festival is an annual event occurring every third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. In 2024, the festival falls on January 21. The Grand Parade, where participants dance on the streets, and the Grand Ritual Showdown, featuring on-stage performances, are both slated for the same day, with the event spanning approximately 12 hours. Over 20 contingents from across the country participate in the dance competition across various categories.

To fully immerse in the Sinulog festivities, it is advisable to arrive in Cebu City 2 to 3 days prior to the Grand Parade. The main activities for the Sinulog Festival 2024 will be centered at SRP. The Grand Parade commences at the Cube Wing at SM Seaside on the morning of January 21, followed by the Grand Ritual Showdown at the SRP grounds.

The Sinulog Festival Grand Parade showcases large groups of street dancers in extravagant, colorful costumes. Before the pandemic, the parade route traversed major thoroughfares in downtown Cebu City, including Mango Avenue, Fuente Osmeña Circle, Jones Avenue, and Osmeña Boulevard. The Grand Parade also features competitions for the best floats, Higante (meaning ‘giant’ in the local language), and Puppeteers. Additional activities will be hosted at Plaza Independencia, Fuente Osmeña Circle, and various malls.

While the official route for the Sinulog Grand Parade 2024 has not been formally announced, it is likely to mirror the previous year, starting at the Cube Wing at SM Seaside. At the SRP grounds, tents will be set up, offering a range of local delicacies, souvenir items, and more. It’s important to note that due to the relatively new status of SRP, there may be increased exposure to the sun, similar to the conditions experienced in the previous year, as there are currently no mature trees in the vicinity.

However, we have indicated here below the proposed schedule and venue of the activities.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES (if there is a change of schedule, we will update this page as soon as time possible.)