The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. The festival honors the child Jesus, known as the Santo Niño (Holy Child), patron of the city of Cebu. During the annual feast of the Santo Niño, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, which houses the original icon, turns into a dancing hall after the solemn mass, with all the devotees executing the Sinulog. The dance continues during the procession in front of the carroza which bears the statue along the streets of Cebu up to late evening. It is a dance ritual that commemorates the Cebuano people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Christianity.The festival features a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. The dancer moves two steps forward and one step backward to the rhythmic sound of drums. This movement resembles somewhat the current (sulog) of the river. Thus, the Cebuanos called it Sinulog.
Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate, and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan", performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the grand parade.
Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports Complex.