Are you ready for Sinulog 2025? Which of the festivities are you looking forward to the most?
Cebu’s biggest festival is officially set as the Sinulog Foundation Inc. announced the schedule of activities for the grand celebration for the whole month of January.
2025 is a big year for Sinulog, as it finally returns to the metro, with more public transport options and places where people can take shelter from the heat. While the Sinulog Festival took place at a different venue for the past two years, many of the pre-parade festivities are now returning to the city.
This includes cultural shows held at the Fuente Circle and the Plaza Independencia, concerts, competitions, and all kinds of spectacular displays.
With millions of viewers expected to flock to the city streets and thousands of foreigners coming to the island to witness the festivities, the biggest cultural festival in the country will surely offer everyone an exciting and memorable experience.
Here are some fan-favorite events officially slated to return in 2025.
- Sinulog Idol
The Philippines’ title of having some of the best singers in the world will be on full display for the Grand Finals of the 16th Sinulog Idol singing competition.
12 aspiring singers will get to show off their talent to a bigger audience and a chance to receive various cash prizes and special awards.
The competition starts at 7:30 PM on January 10th at the Fuente Osmeña Circle, with the Grand Finals slated for the 16th.
- Festival Queen
Contingents of the Sinulog Festival are led by a beautiful young lady who is adorned in magnificent attire to stand out from other members. On January 17th, these ladies gather together and compete for the title of Sinulog Festival Queen.
A runway competition will be held at the Plaza Independencia at 4:00 PM. It concludes with a Coronation Night at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Each lady performs an opening production number along with the other contestants.
- Balik Baroto Regatta
The Sinulog Festival has its own highly anticipated sporting event as well. The Balik Baroto Regatta gathers several of the city’s fisherfolk to compete in a massive boat race.
Created by David Odilao Jr., a pioneer of the Sinulog Festival, the Balik Baroto is used as a reminder of the precolonial era of Cebu, where wooden boats with wooden paddles were used to travel by sea.
The race is slated to start at 7:00 AM, a few hours after the Fluvial Procession. The starting line will be at the South Road Properties (SRP), specifically the beach area of IL Corso Lifemalls.
- Photo and Video Contest
Artists and creatives can celebrate the spirit of the festival by showcasing the event through the eyes of their camera lens.
The Photo Contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers, featuring several categories pertaining to the different events of the festival. Each photographer is entitled to one photo per category, with Php500 per entry.
Meanwhile, the Video Contest will feature video documentaries and short films, all using the Santo Niño as a theme. Judging will be held at the CCSC on January 24th.
PROHIBITIONS FOR SINULOG 2025
- No Street Parties
According to a news article on The Freeman, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia issued an Executive Order (EO) prohibiting street parties near the festival. (2025)
The EO prohibits activities like concerts, shows, gigs, and events requiring loud speakers along the Solemn Procession and Grand Parade Route between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM on January 18th, and 12:01 AM and 10:00 PM on January 19th.
However, establishments may host any of these activities beyond the aforementioned time frame if they can secure a Special Permit issued by the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO).
- Liquor Ban
Furthermore, the city government imposed a liquor ban, prohibiting the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol along the processional route and within a 300-meter radius of the parade.
The EO clarified, however, that liquor may be consumed beyond the 300-meter radius, as long as it is done close to where the drinks were served. It also prohibits the use of glass bottles and other fragile beverage containers within the area.
Businesses found violating these rules may suffer the removal of their business permits, and violators may be detained in holding areas set up by local police.
