Sinulog Festival 2026: Schedule of Activities in Cebu City and Beyond

(SPOT.ph) Every third Sunday of January, all of Cebu comes alive as it celebrates the Sinulog Festival, a celebration for the Sto. Niño, the patron saint of Cebu. For the uninitiated, Sinulog used to be a ritual dance that celebrated Cebu's transition to Christianity, but over the centuries, Sinulog Festival has become known for its fervid street parties, dazzling performances, and colorful grand parades. More than a religious festival, it has also become a fun experience that welcomes not just local Cebuanos but everyone who wants to partake in the cultural activities.

Excited to join Sinulog in 2026? Here are all the highlights of the festival that you shouldn't miss.

Celebrations start as early as December 27, 2025 to January 7, 2026 with a series of Suroy Niño, which is a tradition where the Sto. Niño is paraded around different neighborhoods in Cebu. Starting January 8, the city shifts into full fiesta mode, with events building up to the Fluvial Parade on January 17 and the Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade on January 18.

Quick heads-up: if you’re planning to catch the Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade live at the Cebu City Sports Center on January 18, tickets are already up for grabs. Secure yours early to get a front-row seat to one of the country’s biggest and most colorful festivals.

January 8, 2026: Walk With Jesus

• Start of Walk

  • 4:00 a.m. from Fuente Osmeña to Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

• Opening Salvo Mass/ Start of Novena Mass

  • 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

January 9, 2026: Sinulog 2026 Kick-off and Opening Salvo Day

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog Trade Fair

  • 10:00 a.m (venue to be announced)

• Opening Salvo Solemn Mass

  • 2:30 p.m at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog 2026 Launching Parade

  • 3:30 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño to Fuente Circle to Cebu City Sports Center

• Opening & Launching Program

  • 5:00 p.m. at CCSC Stage, Fuente Osmeña Circle, Plaza Independencia

• Presentation of Sinulog Festival Queen, Sinulog Idol, Sinulog Dance Crew Choral Competition Grand Finals Night

  • 9:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña Circle

January 10, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Brass Band Competition Parade

  • 1:00 p.m. at Cebu Provicial Capitol to Cebu City Sports Center

• Parade of Participants

  • 2:00 p.m. at Legaspi Ext. Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Complex

• Brass Band Competition

  • 2:00 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Sinulog Sa Dakbayan 2026

  • 3:00 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Sinulog Idol Elimination

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña Circle

• Cultural Show - Cebu Normal University

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Concert Battle of the Bands

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 11, 2026

• Cebu Marathon 2026

  • 12:00 a.m. to Be Announced

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. to Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog Sa BPO

  • 4:00 p.m. to Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Cultural Show - MCSHS, USC & OYPA

  • 6:00 p.m. to Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Idol Elimination

  • 8:00 p.m. to Fuente Osmeña

• Cultural Show - USJR & USPF

  • 8:00 p.m. to Plaza Independencia

January 12, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Cultural Show - University of Visayas

  • 6:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Idol Elimination

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Cultural Show - University of Cebu

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Palawan Nights

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 13, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Cultural Show - CTU

  • 6:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Idol Elimination

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Cultural Show - CTU

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Pocari Sweat Night

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 14, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Cultural Show - Dept of Education

  • 6:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Festival Queen 2026 Photoshoot

  • 10:00 a.m. (venue to be announced)

• Sinulog Festival Queen 2026 Parade of Costumes & Runway Competition

  • 6:00 p.m. (venue to be announced)

• Sinulog Idol Elimination

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Cultural Show - SCSIT

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

• San Miguel Beer Night

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 15, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Guadalupe Group Procession

  • 3:00 a.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Walk With Mary

  • 4:00 a.m. at Fuente Osmeña To Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Misa De Translacion

  • 5:30 a.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Translacion

  • 6:45am at To Mandaue City

• Cultural Show - CITU

  • 6:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Idol 2026 Grand Final

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Cultural Show - MJR Performing Arts

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

• IPI Night

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 16, 2026

• Novena Mass

  • 5:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Send Off Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. at Saint Joseph Parish and National Shrine, Mandaue City, Cebu

• Traslacion

  • 5:00 a.m. at National Shrine and Parish of Saint Joseph To Nuestra Señora De Regla Parish National Shrine

• Opening of Devotee City

  • 10:00 a.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Cultural Show

  • 6:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Sinulog Festival Queen 2026 Coronation Night

  • 7:30 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Sinulog Dance Crew Grand Showdown

  • 7:30 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Tanduay Night

  • 9:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 17, 2026

• Devotee City

  • 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Santo Niño Novena Mass

  • 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Short Foot Procession

  • 8:00 a.m. at Pier Uno to Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Reenactment Of Historical Events (Planting of the Cross, Baptism & Wedding)

  • 9:00 a.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Santo Niño

  • 1:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Solemn Visperas Mass

  • 6:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog Fireworks Competition

  • 7:00 p.m. (venue to be announced)

• San Miguel Beer Night

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Bingo Plus Night

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 18, 2026

• Devotee City

  • 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Plaza Independencia

• Mañanita Mass

  • 4:00 a.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Misa Pontifical De La "Fiesta Day" By His Excellency Archbishop Alberto S. Uy, D. D.

  • 6:00 a.m. at Pier Uno to Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog Concelebrated Holy "Fiesta Day" Mass

  • 7:00 a.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Holy Mass

  • 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade Kick Off

  • 8:30 a.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• Sinulog 2026 Grand Grand Finale

  • 6:00 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

• GMA Night

  • 7:00 p.m. at Fuente Osmeña

• Bingo Plus Night

  • 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Independencia

January 19, 2026: Sinulog 2026 Awarding Ceremonies: Street Dancing Ritual Showdown

• Holy Mass

  • 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño

• Awarding Ceremonies

  • 1:00 p.m. at Cebu City Sports Center

For more information, visit the official Sinulog Festival website or the Sinulog Foundation Inc. Facebook Page. Pit Senyor!

Also read: Sinulog Festival: A Vibrant Tapestry of Faith and Culture