Where to go this Christmas in and near Manila? Here are some of the most spectacular Christmas display in and around Metro Manila to visit for kids, family and couples!
The Philippines is known for having the world's longest Christmas season. It starts at the first day of September and ends on the feast of the Epiphany. Definitely, Filipinos go all out and love to celebrate the Yuletide season in fun and merriment. This is the time where families and friends unite and and enjoy the season in the most "Christmassy way". So if you're living in or visiting the Metro, here are some of my recommended must-see Christmas destinations, attractions and activities in (and near) Metro Manila.
READ ALSO: 10 Christmas Destinations AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
Where to Spend Christmas in (and near) Metro Manila?
1. Theme Parks (Star City, Sky Ranch, Enchanted Kingdom, SM Mall of Asia)
Theme parks are just some of the attractions that will surely add to the enjoyment of the holiday season. Bring the kids to the nearest theme park in your area, they will surely love the rides and attractions. Theme and amusement parks are not just for kids, it's for adults too! Check out Star City and SM by the Bay Amusement Park at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Sky Ranch San Fernando Pampanga as well as Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa Laguna.
2. Giant Lantern Festival, San Fernando City Pampanga
Giant Lantern Festival or "Ligligan Parul" is an annual Christmas event in San Fernando City, Pampanga. It is a grand display of huge lanterns showcasing spectacular lights, interplay of colors and kaleidoscopic patterns accompanied with lively Christmas music. The Giant Lantern Festival competition is held every 2nd week of December where several barangays showcases their giant lanterns to compete for the top prize. READ MORE HERE: Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando Pampanga.
ALSO READ: Top things to do in Pampanga, Tourist Spots and Itinerary
3. Ayala Triangle Lights and Sounds Show, Ayala Avenue, Makati City
The Ayala Triangle Gardens showcases a spectacular display of dancing lights and lively Christmas music with the annual lights and sounds show. Watch the lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens come to life every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 9:00 PM daily. The show is frequented by families and by the yuppies working in Makati. It usually starts late November or early December and run until the first week of January.
If you want to stay overnight in Makati to watch the Ayala Triangle Lights and Sounds Show, you may check out the many hotels in Makati that are ideal for families or group of friends.
4. Meralco Liwanag Park
Located inside Meralco Compound in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, the Meralco Liwanag Park is open from late Novembe until early January. Below are the schedules:
- Monday to Thursday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Public Holidays 6:00 PM - 12:00 MN
HOTELS NEAR MERALCO LIWANAG PARK
- Citadines Millennium Ortigas
- Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
- Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
- Go Hotels Ortigas Center
- Holiday Inn Manila Galleria
- Click here to see other hotels in Ortigas
5. Maytinis Festival, Kawit Cavite
Every year, residents from Kawit, other towns and visitors from nearby provinces, flock to Kawit Cavite to witness Maytinis Festival. It is an old Caviteño tradition held annually during December 24th (Christmas Eve) showcasing a dramatic recapping of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. It also features ancient biblical scenes from the Old to the New Testaments depicted in floats with characters portrayed by Kawiteños.
SEE MORE HERE: Maytinis Festival Photos.
6. Shopping Malls and Christmas Bazaars
Go to the shopping malls and enjoy the lavish Christmas decorations. Go on shopping at the bazaars for gifts with their Christmas sale and dine at the restaurants. Surely, shopping malls and bazaars will be jam-packed this Christmas season.
7. UP Lantern Parade, Diliman Quezon City
This is one of the most spectacular Christmas displays around Metro Manila. This annual Christmas event in the University of the Philippine in Diliman showcases a grand parade of lanterns and colorful floats by various colleges and organizations in the university. It is usually held on the 3rd week of December before the university's Christmas break.
8. UST Paskuhan Festivities, España Manila
Every year, Thomasians revel in Christmas joy during UST Paskuhan Festivities. The Paskuhan Festivities marks the start of the students' Christmas break, thus several activities were lined up to the delight of the students. Paskuhan Mass and the Paskuhan Festivities usually held during the whole month of December and culminates before the university's Christmas break on the 3rd week of December.
9. Christmas Village at Policario Street, Mandaluyong City
Policarpio Street in Madaluyong City comes alive during Christmas season. This is one of the popular places to visit in Metro Manila for free during the holidays where visitors are treated with spectacle of Christmas lights and decors. Take a walk along the streets and be amazed by the houses intricately decorated with fabulous Christmas decorations and lights. A perfect place to bond with your family and friends!
10. Roxas Boulevard, Manila and Ayala Avenue, Makati
Walk along Roxas Boulevard or Ayala Avenue in Makati Central Business District and savor the beautifully decorated buildings. Everyone will definitely love the millions of flickering and shimmering Christmas lights and decorations.
11. Christmas-on-display (COD) at Araneta City
A well-loved Filipino Christmas tradition, it is an annual Christmas display of automated figures with interesting movements accompanied with colorful lights and music featuring Christmas stories to the delight the public. Shows usually starts mid or late November and lasts until early January in Araneta Center. The Christmas-on-display (COD) at Araneta Center is a dazzling Christmas light show that kids will surely enjoy in Metro Manila.
HOTELS IN ARANETA CITY / CUBAO
12. Explore the Santa Claus House in Antipolo
Located east of Metro Manila or just 30 minutes away from Ortigas Pasig, Casa Santa inside Jardin de Marimar is a museum of more than 3,700 items with Christmas and Santa Claus themes and motifs from different countries around the world. Open all year round, it is the best place to educate the kids about Christmas traditions and cultures. Casa Santa tours starts at P180.00 per person, booking can be done by reservation or by walk-ins!
DETAILS HERE: Casa Santa Museum in Antipolo City
Jardin de Marimar
276 San Jose Ext., San Isidro Antipolo City
Looking for hotels and resorts in Antipolo City? CLICK HERE.
13. Staycation in Metro Manila
Spend the holidays in the many luxurious Hotels in Metro Manila. During Christmas, hotels offer different holiday packages that will surely delight the family, especially the kids. Enjoy the lovely Christmas decors, avail hotel packages that includes Noche Buena feast or a New Year countdown package.
Looking for hotels in Metro Manila? CLICK HERE.
14. Crosswinds Tagaytay Christmas Village
Crosswinds Resort Suites is an ideal getaway for families and friends searching for a peaceful and serene escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. When staying here, don't miss visiting Santa's House in their Christmas Village. Indeed, at Crosswinds Tagaytay, everyday is Christmas! Click here to see room rates at Crosswinds Resort Suites Tagaytay and book online.
15. Metro Manila Film Festival
If you're just staying in Metro Manila, you may go to the nearest cinema and watch the movies participating in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. It's a great bonding moment with your family and friends!
ALSO READ: MMFF 2022: List of Entries + Movie Trailers
Indeed, nothing beats the Christmas season in the Philippines! Merry Christmas to all!!!
If you have other suggestions, please don't forget to leave a comment below. Thank you very much!
RECOMMENDED READ: 10 Must-see Christmas Destinations AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
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Thank you. Will visit all of them thia Dec 2022 😍
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