As the holiday season is just around the corner, it’s time to fill in our calendars with our plans for Christmas. You can make the season extra festive with holiday activities the whole family will enjoy.
There’s no shortage of fantastic Christmas activities in Metro Manila this year, from mesmerizing light displays to a French-Filipino-themed Christmas bazaar. Check out these 10 events to maximize the joy of the 2023 holiday season with your friends and loved ones.
Image credit: Make It Makati via Facebook
The Festival of Lights is a fixture when it comes to yearly Metro Manila Christmas activities that you definitely should check out. Those who live and work near Makati’s Ayala Triangle Gardens have no doubt witnessed the park being lit by festive, colorful lights at night. This year, they’ve taken their lights display up several notches, with more attractions peppered across the park.
There’s the traditional light show “Kaleidoscope of Sight, Sound, and Light”. This year, they’re introducing new technology using mappable LED lights that make the park’s trees light up to the beat of the music.
Also part of the Festival of Lights this year is the futuristic, outdoor art installation exhibit ELEMENTO. This exhibit showcases brightly colored trees, reminiscent of The Lorax movie, crafted artfully from recycled materials.
Address: Paseo De Roxas Street corner Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 6pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: 0932 403 3279 | Facebook
Image credit: Make It Makati via Facebook
Makati Street Meet is also back with the French-Filipino Christmas market, Marche De Noel this year.
This Christmas bazaar is your chance to explore local products perfect for Christmas gifts or personal treats. You can also sample gourmet delights, including a wide variety of pastries – including crepes and croffles – and local draft beer.
Join the festivities on three weekends throughout the holiday season: 9 & 10 and 16 & 17 December 2023, and 6 & 7 January 2024.
Address: Paseo de Roxas (side of Ayala Triangle Gardens), Makati City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 10am-10pm (Closed on Mondays to Fridays)
Contact: Facebook
Image credit: @ianarcayos via Instagram
Even when it’s not the holiday season, strolling through the streets of Bonifacio Global City is a refreshing sight. After all, the urban space is where street art, commerce, and green spaces thrive. So this Christmas, you can expect to see more creative festive displays, such as the Christmas tree and lights displays in BGC.
Image credit: @ianarcayos via Instagram
Stop and witness the festive lights as you walk or bike through BGC. This year, the city’s 7 magnificent displays include a stack of life-size presents crafted with glass and filled with giant red Christmas balls.
Address: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: Facebook
Video credit: @carlacarlaaaa via Instagram
For a budget-friendly date idea this holiday season, check out the Sparks in the Sky fireworks display. This special fireworks show will be held every Friday in December on 5th Avenue and is free for everyone to enjoy.
Image credit: @ianarcayos via Instagram
While you’re there, you can also explore another attraction. BGC recently unveiled its 3D interactive billboard—the first ever in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia – also on 5th Avenue.
Address: 5th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 7pm, every Friday in December
Contact: Facebook
Image credit: Metropolitan Museum of Manila
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, also known as the MET, certainly isn’t new. But with its new location in BGC and new exhibits every few months, it’s a great place to explore with family and friends over the holiday break.
Image credit: Metropolitan Museum of Manila
The contemporary art space showcases works by both local and international artists. Among its past exhibits is “Time Tunnel”, a captivating reinterpretation of the histories of notable Filipino artistic figures through painting, which you can check out on their website.
Entrance to the museum is free but you must book a reservation at least a day before your visit. Walk-ins are not allowed as of writing.
Address: MK Tan Centre, 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11am-5pm | Sat 10am-5pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 0917 160 9667 | website
Image credit: La Cathedral Cafe via Facebook
Intramuros‘ La Cathedral Cafe is beginning to look a lot like an old-world Christmas village, so those who are looking to spend a romantic dinner in a retro setting need not look far. Situated on a roof deck, the cafe is located at the heart of Intramuros and gives you a magical view of the Manila Cathedral.
The cafe’s menu is an assortment of both light and complete meals, from pasta to main dishes such as beef steak.
Diners are encouraged to make a reservation before dropping by. They have also been accepting kids, senior citizens, and unvaccinated persons.
Address: #398 Greenfield Building, Beaterio corner Cabildo Street, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8am-9pm | Fri-Sun 8am-10pm
Contact: 0915 163 3994 | Facebook
Image credit: @hotelokuramnl via Instagram
While you’re still saving up for your dream family trip to Japan, book your holiday stay at the contemporary Japanese-inspired Hotel Okura. The hotel is designed with contemporary Japanese sensibilities in mind, from its architecture to food, to bring a piece of the Land of the Rising Sun to us.
The Okurimono Room Package (from P19,000, ~USD341.17) allows you a night’s stay for 2 adults and 2 kids this holiday season. This comes with daily breakfast for all guests and a lunch or dinner set for 2, which is definitely a steal in our book.
You can also treat the fam to an extra special dinner. The hotel’s Christmas Kaiseki (from P6,500/pax, ~USD116.78) is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner where you’ll get to enjoy mouthwatering A4 and A5 Saga wagyu.
Address: #2 Portwood Street, Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Contact: 5318-2888 | website
Image credit: SM Mall of Asia Official via Facebook
While you accomplish your Christmas shopping, don’t miss the enchanting Night of Lights Illumination Park at SM Mall of Asia. Witness the evening come alive with vibrant and colorful Christmas-themed installations.
You can do your Christmas shopping and visit an attraction at SM Mall of Asia. The mall’s Night of Lights Illumination Park wows shoppers with bright, colorful, and larger-than-life installations.
Capture moments on swings within gift- and bell-themed installations, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with various Santa Claus displays throughout the park.
Image credit: SM Mall of Asia Official via Facebook
Address: L3, South Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 16th November – 7th January, 5pm-10pm
Contact: Facebook
Video credit: @vertisnorth via Instagram
‘Tis the season to try something new with your family, and the holiday edition of Vertis North Weekend Street Vibe at Ayala Malls Vertis North is the perfect opportunity. Here, both kids and adults can enjoy skating, biking, scootering, or go-karting.
Image credit: Vertis North via Facebook
This event allows you to explore potential new hobbies without the commitment of buying equipment, with rentals starting from P15 (~USD0.27). Concessionaires can provide everything, including safety equipment, but feel free to bring your own gear if you have it.
Located at the spacious Vertis Drive, you’ll have ample room to move around and improve your skating, biking, scootering, or go-karting skills.
Address: Ayala Malls Vertis North, Phase 1 & 2, North Avenue, Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City 1105, Metro Manila
Opening hours: All weekends of December, 10am-8pm
Contact:(02) 7718 5000 | Facebook
Image credit: Eastwood City via Facebook
Indulge in a visual feast at Eastwood City‘s Holiday Lightscapade lights show. It’s a free treat for the eyes that showcases lights scaling the buildings and dancing on the park floor.
Image credit: Eastwood City via Facebook
Catch the show every hour from 6pm to 10pm until 30th December. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to witness a majestic fireworks display at 8 pm on Fridays this December and on Christmas Eve.
Address: Eastwood Mall Open Park, Bagumbayan, Quezon City 1800, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Until 30th December, 6pm-10pm
Contact: 0917 838 0101 | Facebook
We’re in for at least 2 weeks full of holiday food so it’s a good idea to burn some carbs by checking out amusement parks such as WiiJUMP Philippines.
WiiJUMP is the biggest trampoline park in the country with different areas designed for fun, recreational activities that will unleash your inner child.
There’s a vast free zone where you can just jump without obstructions to an island zone with uneven trampolines to put your skills to the test. There are also other fun areas such as the elastic nets and a foam pit.
You get access to all of these starting at P399/pax/hour (~USD7.17)
Address: 2nd Floor Expansion Wing, Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 10AM-9PM, Daily
Contact: 0969 327 7020 | website
With establishments slowly opening up, we can look forward to these Metro Manila Christmas activities that will ensure that you celebrate the season right. From light displays to dining at al fresco restaurants, there’s something in this list for everyone to check out and enjoy more quality time with their loved ones.
If you want to plan a memorable Christmas or New Year party, check out these holiday hosting tips for Filipinos. Of course, make sure to serve traditional Filipino Christmas foods your guests will surely love.
Cover image adapted from: Make It Makati via Facebook, SM Mall of Asia Official via Facebook, Eastwood City via Facebook
This article was originally published on 3 December 2021 by Addie Pobre and last updated by Kim Shelly Tan on 12 December 2023.
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