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Sinulog Festival 2026 thrives despite scorching heat and weather warnings

Dancers braved 38°C temperatures as Cebu’s iconic festival dodged rain but battled sweltering heat. Here’s how organizers kept the spirit alive.

The image shows a large crowd of people standing in front of a building decorated with colorful...
The image shows a large crowd of people standing in front of a building decorated with colorful decorations and text. Some of the people are wearing caps and holding bottles, while others are sitting on the road. In the background, there are trees and a clear blue sky, suggesting that the scene is taking place during the Mabuhy Festival in the Philippines.

Sinulog Festival 2026 thrives despite scorching heat and weather warnings

Cebu’s Sinulog Festival took place on January 11, 2026, under mostly sunny skies. While light rains from tropical disturbance Ada passed earlier, the main events faced little disruption from weather. However, a heat advisory was in effect, with temperatures soaring between 34 and 38 degrees Celsius.

The festival’s peak activities avoided rain, as Cebu saw partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with minimal rainfall. Organisers had warned of possible isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon due to intense heat, but these did not significantly impact the celebrations.

The heat posed the biggest challenge. A heat advisory was issued, urging participants—especially dancers—to take extreme caution. Hydration was strongly advised to prevent heat-related illnesses. The same warm and mostly dry weather continued from January 12 to 14, maintaining similar conditions for the festival’s remaining events.

The Sinulog Festival proceeded with clear weather, though high temperatures remained a concern. Dancers and attendees were reminded to stay hydrated and seek shade where possible. The event concluded without major weather disruptions, keeping the focus on celebrations.

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