Grand ILOmination Opening set

Iloilo City will light up in spectacular colors come ILOmination night on January 26.

Beginning with a Floats Parade of Lights to the ILOmination Street Dance Competition, the event promises to be another spectacle for revelers this Dinagyang 2024.

Now in its second year, the colorful showdown of Illuminated warriors and dancers, is a fitting foretaste to next day’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan and the main event of the Dinagyang Tribes competition on January 28 at the Freedom Grandstand.

A grand opening to be led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, together with other VIPs, is set for 6 pm on January 26 at SM City Iloilo, which will serve as the main stage for the seven competing tribes at the Diversion Road, facing the mall.

The vibrant colorful lights worn by the contingents are surely a grand display and entertainment for the crowd to enjoy, as the event traverses in the different parade routes.

As a major partner of the Iloilo City Government, SM City Iloilo has transformed into the heartbeat of the festivities as it plays host to various events this Dinagyang.

With its AweSM Iloilo campaign, SM City Iloilo is set to be a core venue of activities that celebrate Iloilo. In fact, it will mount a Grand Iloilo Food Festival (Jan. 24 to 28) and Batchoy Festival (Jan. 25 to 28). The foodfest will showcase a wide variety of the most celebrated Ilonggo food, making the mall a culinary focal point complementing Iloilo City’s distinction as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Celebrating culture and Ilonggo ingenuity, The Dinagyang Festival Costumes Exhibit (Jan. 17 to 28), is a kaleidoscope of colors and cultural brilliance and the One Visayas Creative Expo 2024 (Jan. 22 to 28), a joint activity of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas and the Regional Development Council 6, showcasing the best products, destinations, and festivals of Region 6, 7 and 8, is a treat for visitors, being dubbed as the biggest Expo in the Visayas.

Festival frenzy is all over the mall with events like the Meet and greet with Dinagyang Warriors (Jan. 25 to 28), and the Dinagyang Warriors Parade (Jan. 25 to 28) and the Viva Music Festival with Ron Poe and JK Labajo (Jan. 27 to 28) promises a heart-pumping celebration for partygoers that will keep the Dinagyang vibe and spirit very much alive in the mall.

Spectacular Displays will treat visitors with The Tech and Creators Fair (Jan. 27 to 28), Drones and Fireworks Display (Jan. 26, 9pm) Those who want to have a piece of Dinagyang can count on the Pasalubong Center in the mall where they can buy keepsakes to keep the memories of the festivities alive.

From T-shirts to Dinagyang dolls and collectible mugs, memories of the celebration can be found at Fiesta Favorite Souvenirs, which also offers several vestiges of varied and exciting designs.

SM City Iloilo promotes the heritage of the Ilonggos by doing its share to promote sustainability, by giving a venue to local artisans and reaching a wider audience.

Everyone is invited to a fun-filled Dinagyang 2024 as the Iloilo City Government together with its partners welcome visitors to experience the heart of AweSM Iloilo.