Radar

Sinulog After Dark: 10 Afterparties to Keep the Fiesta Going

Syagit ug kusog! With Cebu’s biggest fiesta only days away, we’ve rounded up 10 afterparties to keep the celebration going until dawn

By
FacebookTwitterEmailCopy Link
Night view of Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu during Sinulog Festival 2023
Night view of Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu during Sinulog Festival 2023. Photo by Patrick Roque/Wikimedia Commons

On the third Sunday of January, the city of Cebu comes alive for its biggest, loudest, and most bongga festival of the year: Sinulog. Tracing its history as far back as 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan first gifted a statue of the Santo Niño (or Child Jesus) to local chieftain Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana, Sinulog is a festival deeply seeped in faith, history, and devotion.

Though the festivities formally kick off a week before the parade, with various events like dances, art exhibits, and a novena baked into the event’s official schedule, the climax of Sinulog is undoubtedly the grand parade. Chants of “Pit Senyor!” can be heard throughout the city on the day of the parade, with the festival’s high-energy theme song played at full volume on repeat. The parade is a vibrant celebration of Cebuano culture, featuring dancers in colorful costumes, intricate floats, and pulsating drumbeats that echo throughout the city.

But the party continues well after the grand parade is over. Once the last dancers have made their way through the streets, Cebu’s nightlife kicks into full gear with a series of thrilling afterparties that keep the Sinulog spirit alive well into the night. From packed clubs to concerts with major headliners, Sinulog’s afterparty scene is as vibrant as the festival itself. Here are 10 afterparties that are sure to keep the fiesta going after the parade.

Rock’It Fest

rock'it fest sinulog cebu 2025
Photo from Volta Productions/Facebook

On January 19, Sinulog Sunday, several of Cebu’s biggest OPM artists will come together for Rock’It Fest at Atmosphere, Lahug, promising a night of raw, powerful music. The lineup features members of iconic bands like Urbandub and Franco, along with the intense sounds of nu metal/rapcore band Glitch, the fierce energy of rapping duo DiCE and K9, and the island vibes of reggae band Junior Kilat, among others. With each artist bringing their own unique style, Rock’It Fest is set to showcase the best of what Cebu’s music community has to offer.

Flip the Script

flip the script sinulog cebu 2025
Photo from Escape Artist Productions/Facebook

Flip the Script is hitting Cartel Studio in Mandaue to bring Cebu an unforgettable Sinulog 2025 kickoff. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of rappers, including kiyo, Cookie$, Mistah Lefty, and many more, Flip the Script is set to deliver high-energy performances that will set the tone for your Sinulog weekend. With doors opening at 6 p.m. on January 17, Flip the Script is the perfect way to start the fiesta celebrations in full force.

Ten Vibo

ten vibo sinulog 2025 cebu
Photo from Ten Vibo/Facebook

Organized by local kitchen and bar Ten Over Ten, Ten Vibo guarantees a night of food, drinks, and a set list including some of Cebu’s most prolific DJs. The event is set to take place from January 18 to 19 at Vibo Place, with DJs such as Victor Pring, Bandit, Thraxx, and more already confirmed to take over the decks. Expect a night where the beats are as bold as the flavors, creating the backdrop for an unforgettable night out.

P°LANET SINULOG

Cover art from Planet Workshop/Instagram

From the Makati nightlife collective Planet Workshop comes their first event of the year, P°LANET SINULOG. This two-night event will start on January 15 at Trademark and continue on January 16 at Last, each night featuring a distinct lineup of emerging musicians and DJs. On January 15 catch performers such as Roy de Borja, Patrick Rizarri, Marco Pedro, Polo Dino, and Kaizer Rave. Then, on January 16, enjoy sets from Antonio Lopez, Joachim Giacobbe, Kirby Ano, and Shingen, among others.

Sinulog Fest 2025

sinulogest cebu sinulog 2025
Photo from Sinulogfest 2025/Instagram

Get ready for three days of non-stop energy at 88th Avenue, where Sinulog Fest 2025 is set to “bring the coast’s energy” straight to the heart of the city, according to the event organizers’ social media. Tickets and tables are available for the Sinulog Afro Festival (Jan 17), Sinulog Visperas (Jan 18), and/or the epic Sinulogfest Day Party (Jan 19).

Pulse 25

pulse 25 sinulog 2025
Photo from Tagu Cafe & Bar/Facebook

Kicking off on January 17 at Tagu Cafe and Bar and continuing through Sinulog weekend, Pulse 25: Amplify the PULSE brings DJs from across the country to Cebu. While the lineup for the entire weekend has yet to be confirmed, Tagu has announced that DJs Polo Dino, Findmaxy, Chanchan, TJ Lacuna, and more will be performing live on January 17.

The Relapse

the relapse sinulog cebu 2025
Photo from Rabbit Hole Cebu/Facebook

Starting on January 15, Cebu restaurant and bar The Rabbit Hole is organizing its own Sinulog celebration, The Relapse. With DJ performances set all the way through to January 19, expect five nights of music as bold as the festival itself. The lineup for Sinulog Sunday is particularly stacked, featuring powerhouse DJs such as Antonio, Shingen, Yves G, Lentz Ansar, Jasper, and Shinji Ueda.

Rue Cebu’s Sinulog 2025

rue cebu sinulog 2025
Photo from Rue Cebu/Facebook

Rue Cebu is turning up the heat with a four-night celebration. The event will kick off on January 16 with Basskoral (a play on the Bisaya “diskoral”), a rave organized in partnership with underground sound collective Bantayan Bass Club. From January 17 to 19, the bar promises three nights of nonstop DJ sets, with performances from Kate Jagdon, Manila Junkie of Orange Juice Asia, Michiko Tateno, and The Palace Manila’s Dara Carmina, among others.

Barrio’s Sinulog Music Week 2025

barrio sinulog cebu 2025
Photo from Barrio Bar & Lounge/Facebook

Local nightlife staple Barrio Bar and Lounge is stepping up its Sinulog game with a week of non-stop afrobeats, hip-hop, and R&B, featuring DJs and musicians from Cebu and Manila. From January 13 to 19, expect sets from the likes of KATDJ, Ace Ramos, and Ron Poe, alongside other exciting acts that will keep the party going all weekend long.

Cradio Radio’s Sinulog ni CRadio

cradio radio sinulog 2025
Photo from Cradio Radio/Instagram

Any event from Cradio Radio is guaranteed to be raw with a chill, no-frills vibe. Their addition to the festival weekend, Sinulog Ni Cradio, will feature new and familiar DJs, including Mike Sharpe, MONI-MONI, the Bantayan Bass Club, and more. Sinulog Ni Cradio will take place on January 17, from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., at Cebu’s newest rooftop restaurant, Sunset Soirées.

Latest Issue
RS PH cover

Rolling Stone Philippines Magazine — Coming Soon