An estimated 160,000 devotees joined the annual Penitential Walk with Jesus and first of the nine Novena Masses to open the 460th Fiesta Señor celebration.

The dawn walk on Thursday, January 9, 2025, started at 4:20 a.m. from Fuente Osmeña in midtown Cebu City, going to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in the downtown area via Osmeña Boulevard.

The rain at 3 a.m. did not dampen the spirit of devotees who joined the dawn walk.

The devotees, young and old, carried lit candles and their images of the Holy Child Jesus.

As the Pilgrim Center at the Basilica has a maximum capacity of 5,000 persons only, the rest of the devotees attended the Holy Mass outside of the compound with the help of LED walls that relayed the Mass. 

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Andres Rivera, Jr., rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. 

The Novena Mass at the Basilica is celebrated hourly everyday until 7 p.m., or a total of 11 Masses daily.

Police personnel and emergency response teams are deployed in the vicinity of the Basilica.

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the fluvial (seaborne) procession is set also in the early morning, while the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade is set on Sunday, January 19, 2025.