LIST: Program, advisory for 2026 Fiesta Señor in Cebu released

The program of the 461st Fiesta Señor in Cebu scheduled this January 2026 has been released on Monday. 

The annual celebration honors the Santo Niño de Cebu or the Child Jesus and has the theme “In Santo Niño We Are One” as it calls pilgrims to unity in Christ.

“It is in Christ that our diverse lives find profound meaning and a singular purpose: 'to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise',” Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu said in a statement on Monday.

“This call for oneness is especially urgent today. In the context of the Church's synodal journey, the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, and ongoing human conflicts, the Fiesta Señor is a proclamation of peace in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace,” it added.

The activities for the 461st Fiesta Señor will begin with a nine-day novena from January 8 to 16.

Festivities will begin with a penitential walk at 4 a.m. on January 8, followed by a series of Eucharistic celebrations. 

Cebuano and English Masses will also be conducted as early as 4 a.m.

Processions Walk with Mary and Traslacion will be on January 15.

Visperas, Fiesta Day

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza will preside over the first Mass at 5:30 a.m. during the Visperas Day on January 17.

It will be followed by a fluvial procession at 6 a.m.

At 9 a.m., a Eucharistic celebration in commemoration of the first Mass, wedding, and baptism will be presided over by Fr. Andres Rivera, OSA, rector of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

It will be followed by a procession of the venerable image of Santo Niño de Cebu at 1 p.m.

Cebu Archbishop-emeritus Jose Palma will preside over the Visperas Mass at 6 p.m.

Masses will be held from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the fiesta day on January 18.

Thanksgiving Masses will be held on January 19, while the Mass and Rite of “Hubo” will be on January 23. 

Adlaw sa Hubo (Day of Undressing) is a Cebuano Catholic tradition where the image of the Sto. Niño is ceremonially undressed from its elaborate fiesta clothing and dressed in simple garments, symbolizing humility, spiritual cleansing, obedience, and a return to a more prayerful life.

Public advisory

Pilgrims are reminded to only use the allowed chairs inside the Basilica compound.

Bringing large bags is highly discouraged inside the Basilica compound for security and safety measures. 

Devotees are reminded to wear the proper dress code when entering the Basilica.For more details about the 2026 Fiesta Señor, pilgrims may visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu’s official website. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News