All is set for the opening salvo on 12 January 2024 where spectators can get a glimpse of the performances of the Dinagyang competing tribes.

This year's participating tribes are Tribu Taga-Baryo (Bo. Obrero National High School), Tribu Mandu-riyaw (Mandurriao NHS), Tribu Paghidaet (La Paz NHS), Tribu Pan-ay (Fort San Pedro NHS), Tribu Salognon (Jaro NHS), Tribu Sigabong (Ramon Avanceña NHS), Tribu Ilonganon (Jalandoni Memorial NHS), and Tribu Silak (Iloilo City NHS).

They will give a sneak peek of their final performance in four judging areas: Freedom Grandstand, lloilo Provincial Capitol, Mabini-Delgado, and Quezon-Ledesma.

According to Eric Divinagracia, artistic and creative director of the Dinagyang Tribes Competition 2024 of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), the opening salvo will start with a mass at 1:30 p.m. at San Jose Parish followed by a parade towards the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand for the opening program.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas will officially declare the opening of the Dinagyang Festival 2024 after a message.

To enliven everyone's connection and excitement to the festival through dance, the seven participating tribes for the Dinagyang ILOmination Streetdance Competition, namely, Tribu Ilonggohanon (City Proper), Tribu Kahirup of Pavia (Arevalo), Tribu Manduryaw (Mandurriao), Tribu Sagasa (La Paz), Tribu Sidlangan (La Puz), Tribu IAFA (Molo), and Tribu Buntag-tala (Jaro) will lead and perform the unity dance.

Fifteen Ilongga beauties who are official candidates of Miss Iloilo 2024 will also be introduced during the opening salvo.

Dancing warriors of the five tribes for the Sadsad sa Calle Real, namely, Tribu Aninipay, Tribu Ibata sa Paghiliugyon, Tribu Molave, Tribu Panaad, and Tribu Parianon will likewise showcase their merrymaking dance moves.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) is asking for the public's understanding as traffic congestion is expected during the opening salvo as there will be rerouting, road closures, and provision of other emergency lanes.

Moreover, schedules of blocking rehearsals are also set on 9 and 10 January for the opening salvo, 21 January for the ILOmination, 22 and 23 January for the Dinagyang Tribes Competition, and 24 and 25 January for Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan Festival. To note, Kasadyahan will have its separate opening salvo on 5 January.

The city's traffic unit is set to issue traffic advisories to give a heads-up to motorists and commuters.