Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Kabankalan
Kabankalan is named after a tree, the bangkal, and its December lights are built around stars. In 2022 the city plaza glowed with 125,000 LEDs under a 200-foot star, and the Christmas season here ends only with the Sinulog in January.
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The story of Christmas in Kabankalan
A city named for the bangkal tree, and a January that ends Christmas
Kabankalan takes its name from the bangkal tree, which grew thickly along the Hilabangan River. It became its own municipality in 1907 and a city on August 2, 1997. For many families the Christmas season does not close on Three Kings. It runs into January and the Sinulog sa Kabankalan, which honors the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus. The festival started in the mid to late 1970s, and 2026 marked its 50th year.
Tunnel of Stars: the 2022 switch-on
The most recent Kabankalan Christmas lighting on record took place in December 2022. Mayor Benjie Miranda led the countdown at the public plaza for a Tunnel of Stars with at least 125,000 multicolored LEDs and a 200-foot central star. Two more big stars went up at City Hall and the rotunda, and small ones in the city's 32 villages. It was the first festive event in two years. In January 2025 the plaza also hosted the Sinulog's Kapuso Fiesta opening.
Two steps forward, one step back, and other small facts
The Sinulog dance goes two steps forward and one step back, like a river's flow, and dancers shout "Viva Pit Señor!" Kabankalan's Sinulog is held every third Sunday of January, together with Cebu City. The city has 210,893 people (2024 census), second in Negros Occidental after Bacolod. Its Charter Day opening in 2025 drew more than 25,000 people. Mag-aso Falls is one of its best-known natural spots, and the Central Philippines State University has its main campus in the city.
Traditions today
- Plaza star lights: The 2022 plaza display used 125,000 LEDs and a 200-foot star. Smaller stars also decorated City Hall, the rotunda and the city's 32 villages.
- Sinulog sa Kabankalan: Every January the city honors the Santo Niño with a Mass, candle lighting, a parade and street dancing in the city center.
- Sinulog step: Dancers move two steps forward and one step back, a pattern that echoes the flow of a river.
- Charter Day: Each year the city marks August 2, 1997, the day it became a city, with a week of shows and civic events that begins in late July.
- Udyakan sa Kabankalan: Udyakan is one of the city's festivals, alongside the Sinulog and the Charter anniversary.
A fact for kids
Kabankalan is named after a tree, the bangkal, and its 2022 Christmas star was 200 feet tall.
Questions about Christmas in Kabankalan
Why is Kabankalan called the Star City of the South at Christmas?
The name comes from the city's 2022 lighting theme, "Star City of the South". The plaza got a Tunnel of Stars with at least 125,000 multicolored LEDs, a 200-foot central star, and two more big stars at City Hall and the rotunda. Small stars also went up in the city's 32 villages.
How many lights were in the Kabankalan Tunnel of Stars?
The 2022 Tunnel of Stars at the public plaza used at least 125,000 multicolored LEDs with star silhouettes. A 200-foot central star anchored the display. It was the first festive Yuletide event in two years, so the switch-on mattered to many families in the city.
Who led the countdown at the 2022 Kabankalan Christmas lighting?
Mayor Benjie Miranda led the countdown, joined on stage by the vice mayor and most councilors. A Zumba session came first, the Kabankalan Rondalla led the national anthem, and Rhea Abello sang the Christmas song "Star City in the South" by Johnny Ravina.
How did Kabankalan's Christmas return in 2022?
The city skipped festive events in 2021. In December 2022 it lit the plaza again, and administrator Randy Sison said the city was looking forward to better days.
Why is Kabankalan named after a tree?
Kabankalan comes from bangkal, a tree (Nauclea orientalis) that grew thickly in the area. A settler from Iloilo, Leocadio Tayum, is credited with naming the place after finding many bangkal trees. Indigenous tribes along the Hilabangan River lived there long before the town took that name.
When did Kabankalan become a city?
President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 8297 on August 2, 1997, making Kabankalan a component city. It had been its own municipality since 1907. The city is nicknamed the Rising City of the South, and it celebrates a Charter Day every year around late July and early August.
How big is Kabankalan compared with other Negros Occidental cities?
Kabankalan had 210,893 residents in the 2024 census, with 45,285 households. That makes it the second most populous city in Negros Occidental after Bacolod. Its size explains why the city plaza and the neighborhoods draw big crowds whenever the lights come on in December.
How does the Sinulog sa Kabankalan connect to the Christmas season?
The Sinulog sa Kabankalan honors the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus, every January, so many families treat it as the closing chapter of the Christmas season. The 49th edition ran January 10 to 19, 2025. Kabankalan's version began in the mid to late 1970s, and 2026 marked its 50th year.
When is the Sinulog sa Kabankalan held?
The festival is held every January, with the main celebration on the third Sunday, together with the Cebu City Sinulog. In 2025 it ran from January 10 to January 19, and the Kapuso Fiesta opened it at 8 p.m. on January 10 at the Kabankalan City Public Plaza.
What is the Sinulog dance step, and can toddlers try it?
The Sinulog step goes two steps forward and one step back, which echoes the flow of a river. Kids as young as toddlers can copy it at home to music, since it is just a rocking walk. Street dancing in Kabankalan's city center follows a Mass, candle lighting and prayers to the Santo Niño.
What do people shout during the Kabankalan Sinulog?
Participants call out "Viva Pit Señor!" while honoring the Santo Niño, the Child Jesus image that Spanish missionaries brought to the Philippines. Kabankalan's own prayer for the festival asks the Señor Santo Niño to bless the city. Children usually learn the shout by joining the parade with their parents.
How old is Kabankalan's Christian history?
Christianization of Negros began in 1566, and Augustinians, Recollects, Jesuits and Dominicans later served the area. A 1630 document already calls Kabankalan an encomienda center. Residents petitioned to set up a town at Orong in 1830, and the town was re-established as Kabankalan in 1907.
Did Kabankalan always have its own town government?
No. Kabankalan was merged into Ilog in 1903 and became its own municipality again in 1907. Sugar later became a major industry in the town.
How many people came to the Kabankalan Charter Day opening?
More than 25,000 people attended the opening of the 28th Charter Day, which kicked off on July 26 with fireworks, live performances and speeches. The theme was "With love, we serve; with care, we grow; with gratitude, we celebrate: Kabankalan at 28." The city's motto is Gugma kag Kabalaka, meaning love and care.
Which Kabankalan stars and plaza lights are best for kids at Christmas?
The public plaza is the main place for little ones, since the city lit its Tunnel of Stars there in 2022 and holds its big festivals there. Kids can look for the large stars at City Hall and the rotunda. Rally Takes the Train's Kabankalan Christmas events guide adds any 2026 dates once hosts confirm them.
Where is an easy first stop for toddlers at Christmas in Kabankalan?
Start at the Kabankalan City Public Plaza, where the Christmas lights went up in 2022 and where the Sinulog opening was staged in 2025. Smaller stars also decorate the city's 32 villages, so a short walk near home can work for toddlers. Dates for this year are still unconfirmed, so check with the city before you go.
Where can we spend Christmas Day in Kabankalan with kids?
No confirmed city-wide Christmas Day program has been announced for Kabankalan. Most families gather at home, and the plaza lights stay up through the season. Rally Takes the Train's Kabankalan Christmas events guide will list a Christmas Day activity only if a host publishes a confirmed 2026 date.
Are there confirmed Kabankalan Christmas events for 2026?
Not yet. No host page shows a confirmed 2026 date for a Kabankalan tree lighting, parade or kids' program. Kabankalan's lighting in 2022 was announced in early December, so dates may appear late. Rally Takes the Train's Kabankalan Christmas events guide will add them once they are official.
Is there a nature spot near Kabankalan for a family outing in the holidays?
Mag-aso Falls is a well-known natural attraction in Kabankalan, and Balicaocao Resort is another place to visit. Central Philippines State University has its main campus in the city. Check opening hours and road conditions with the host before you travel, especially with young kids in the car.
What does Kabankalan's nickname mean for kids?
The nickname "The Rising City of the South" reflects how fast Kabankalan grew after it became a city in 1997. A simpler story for kids is the name itself: the city is named after the bangkal tree. Many children enjoy hearing that a whole city of 210,893 people is named after a tree.
Sources
- Kabankalan turns 28, traces journey from bangkal trees, Brigada News
- Kabankalan, Wikipedia (mirror, 2026-03 edition)
- Festivals: Sinulog de Kabankalan, Negros Season of Culture
- Kapuso Fiesta in Sinulog sa Kabankalan, GMA Regional TV
- Kabankalan Christmas lighting, Tunnel of Stars (Dec 6, 2022), DNX News