Sinulog Festival (Philippines)

The feast of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) of Cebu — the oldest statue of Christianity in the Philippines, given by Ferdinand Magellan to the Queen of Cebu in 1521 and recovered when Legaspi arrived in 1565. The Sinulog festival features enormous street dancing competitions in which dancers replicate the sinulog rhythm (a forward-and-backward motion recalling river currents) wearing elaborate costumes.

The festival draws over a million participants and is considered one of the most colorful in Southeast Asia. It usually falls on or around Third Sunday of January.

It is especially important in Catholic traditions. Explore pilgrimage holidays — browse options on Eden.