The vibrant and colourful Sinulog Festival, which stems from the annual Feast of Sto Niño in Cebu City, Philippines, has found its way to various parts of Australia. This grand celebration of faith and culture has become a significant event for Filipino Catholics across the country.
'Sinulog' is derived from the Cebuano word 'sulog,' meaning 'like water current movement'.
This name captures the essence of the festival, which involves a ritual prayer dance that symbolises the flow of grace and devotion.
The festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January, attracting millions of devotees and spectators in the Philippines.
Filipinos in Australia also come together to commemorate this tradition.
Here's a list of Sinulog events in every state and territory in Australia:
Melbourne and Regional Victoria
1. Deer Park, VIC
Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026
Venue: St Peter Chanel Parish, 848 Ballarat Road
Hosted by: St James Hoppers Sinulog Group and Hoppers Tribal Sinulog Group
2. Geelong, VIC
Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026
Venue: St Francis Xavier Church, Corio
Event: 13th Annual Sinulog Fiesta – Geelong
3. Cranbourne, VIC
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Agatha’s Church
Hosted by: Santo Niño Foundation of Australia Inc. (SNFAI)
4. Clayton (Clarinda), VIC
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Andrew’s Catholic Church
5. Bendigo, VIC
Date: Sunday, 25 January 2026
Venue: St Kilian’s Church
6. Hoppers Crossing, VIC
Date: Sunday, 1 February 2026
Venue: St James Parish
Event: 15th Anniversary Sinulog Culmination
South Australia
Adelaide – Sinulog 2026
Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026
Venue: Mater Christi Parish Church, Seaton
Queensland
Brisbane – Fiesta del Señor Santo Niño de Cebu (11th Year)
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Mark’s Catholic Church, Inala
Sinulog sa Brisbane – Cathedral Celebration
Venue: Cathedral of St Stephen
Novena Days: 9–17 January
Feast Day: Sunday, 18 January
First Sinulog at the Filipino Shrine – Marian Valley, Canungra
Date: Saturday, 3 January 2026
New South Wales
Sydney – 36th Anniversary Fiesta Sinulog
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown
Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Sunday, 18 January – St Michael’s Cathedral
- Sunday, 31 January – Holy Trinity Primary School
Western Australia
Perth – Sinulog Celebration 2026
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Mary’s Cathedral
CFC WA – Southwest Chapter
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Patrick’s Cathedral
Harvey Sinulog
Date: Sunday, 25 January 2026
Venue: Our Lady of Immigrants Catholic Church
Northern Territory
Darwin – Humpty Doo
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: St Francis of Assisi Parish
Darwin – Karama & Marrara
Date: Saturday, 24 January 2026
Venue: Filipino Community Centre, Marrara
Australian Capital Territory
Feast of Señor Sto. Niño – Hall, ACT
Date: Sunday, 21 January 2026
Venue: St. Francis Xavier Church, Victoria Street
Time: 2:00 PM – Holy Mass and Sinulog dance
To have your Sinulog or Feast of Señor Santo Niño celebration featured in our listings, please reach out to SBS Filipino.
📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
🔊 On Air – Tune in to SBS Filipino on radio stations across Australia and website live stream, and TV Channel 302 from 10 AM to 11 AM AEST daily.
📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit sbs.com.au/filipino or stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube Podcasts, and SBS Audio app.
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