Festivals in Cebu City

Although Cebu City festivals are varied, they focus on the city's history and Christian traditions. Sinulog is the most popular of the Cebu City festivals in terms of size and breadth.

The annual Sinulog Festival is held on the third Sunday in January. It honors the city's patron saint, Jesus, or the Santo Nino (Holy Child). After the Spanish arrived and settled Cebu City, Christianity was spread and encouraged. The local rulers were baptized into the faith. According to history, Queen Juana received an idol of Jesus as a gift for her baptism and broke into a joyful dance.

The style of dance has a similar flowing motion and predates the Spanish. The dance is referred to as "Sinulog," derived from a Cebu word describing the flow of water. The Sinulog Festival focuses on dance and dance rituals while celebrating the Santo Nino. It is a combination of Christian traditions and a more pagan approach to celebration.

The 9 days of the festival consist of street vendors, a photo contest, a film festival, a marathon, a beauty pageant to crown the festival queen, and dance contests. The events are full of vibrant costumes, flowers, and drums. The second-to-last day is more solemn, honoring the Santo Nino. A procession is held at dawn to carry a statue of the Santo Nino to the Basilica, where the first baptism of Cebu leaders is recreated. A second procession is held later that day.

The Grand Parade and culminating event is held on the festival's final day. As many as 2 million people attend. Onlookers shout, "Pit Senor," throughout the parade to honor the Santo Nino.

Sinulog has been held for 30 years, although individual events had been held previously to celebrate the city's Christian beginnings. Smaller versions of the festival have been held in Australia, China, and the United States.

Cebu City Charter Day

Although it was still under foreign rule at the time, Cebu City was chartered as a city on February 24, 1937. The date is still celebrated with several local events. The city also celebrates individual contributions during a variety of awards and ceremonies.

Many Cebu City festivals focus on the city's Christian traditions, including the Redemptorist Church Fiesta in June, the Carmelite Monastery Fiesta in July, the Asilo Fiesta in November, and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Fiesta in December.