People are welcoming a new year, which means every one of us has a chance to make new, fun memories once more. Of course, that includes going to concerts, fan meetings, or even trips outside the metro that’ll be worth your while.
On that note, here are 9 things to do in Metro Manila & beyond for January 2023 to start your year right. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can partake in trips outside the metro and go for a challenging mountain hike or a trip to see the oldest living traditional tattoo artist.
Table of Contents
Image credit: SM Mall of Asia Official
If you’re still stuck with holiday fever, head to the Night of Lights at SM Mall of Asia grounds. You’ll experience an immersive 15-minute drive-through of creative lighting setups, tons of photo ops, and quality time with friends or family. What’s more, you won’t have to step out your vehicle to have fun.
Highlights:
Admission fee: single receipt purchase of P1,500 (~USD27.14) and above, P500 (~USD9.05) worth of Disney merchandise
Date: until 8th January 2023
Time: 5.30pm-10pm
Address: SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City
Find out more information here.
Image credit: Wilbros Live
If you’re a millennial, then you’ll be hyped about the Ne-Yo Live In Concert happening at Araneta Coliseum this coming month.
You get to listen to Ne-Yo perform his greatest hits in front of a live audience. Filipino fans will hear him sing So Sick, Sexy Love, and Miss Independent once again.
Admission fee: P1,050 (~USD18.99) general admission | P2,625 (~USD47.49) Upper Box | P3,675 (~USD66.50) Lower Box B | P4,725 (~USD85.50) Lower Box A | P6,825 (~USD123.50) Patron B | P7,875 (~USD142.56) Patron A | P8,925-P12,600 (~USD161.57-USD228.10) VIP
Date: 23rd January 2023
Time: 6pm and 9pm
Address: Araneta Coliseum, General Roxas Ave, Cubao, Quezon City
Book your tickets online or at any TicketNet outlet near you.
Note: Only fully vaccinated individuals from ages five years and above are allowed inside the venue. Ticket prices are inclusive of service charges.
Image credit: Live Nation Philippines
If you’re a massive fan of the K-Pop girl group ITZY, then you’ll want to go to ITZY The 1st World Tour: Checkmate happening at SM Mall of Asia Arena. You’ll get to see them perform live and be part of their first-ever world tour.
Highlight:
Admission fee: P3,500 (~USD63.36) general admission | P4,750 (~USD86.01) UB Regular | P5,350 (~USD96.87) UB Premium | P9,950 (~USD180.17) LBB Regular | P10,550 (~USD191.03) LBB Premium | P11,150 (~USD201.89) LBA Regular | P11,850 (~USD214.57) LBA Premium | P13,500 (~USD244.45) VIP Seated w/ soundcheck
Date: 14th-15th January 2023
Time: 7pm and 6pm
Address: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Mall of Asia Complex, J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay
Get your tickets online or at any SM Tickets outlet near you.
Image credit: Otaku Expo
The Otaku Expo at SMX Convention Center will be happening once more for anime and manga fans, and cosplayers to enjoy. For two days, you get to learn from visual artists, collect comic books, and even interact with different cosplayers at the event.
Highlights:
Date: 28th-29th January 2023
Time: 28th January 11am | 29th January 8pm
Address: Function Room 1 & 2, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Seashell Ln, Pasay
Check out Otaku Expo’s Facebook page for more information.
Image credit: Ovation Productions
SHINee fans will surely be excited that group member Choi Minho will have his first fan meeting, 2023 Best Choi’s Minho Lucky Choi’s, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. You’ll get to see him in person and maybe even get a chance to take a picture with him.
Highlights:
Admission fee: P5,400 (~USD96.51) Lower Box B | P7,400 (~USD132.25) Lower Box A | P8,400 (~USD150.12) Patron | P9,400 (~USD167.99) VIP
Date: 28th January 2023
Time: 8pm
Address: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Mall of Asia Complex, J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay
Get your tickets online at ovationtickets.com or at smtickets.com. Watch out for further ticketing details at SM Mall of Asia Arena and Ovation Productions‘ official Facebook pages.
Note: Pre-sale of tickets begin on 6th January 2023. Register on 4th January 2023 to get a pre-sale code. Ticket prices are exclusive of extra charges.
Image credit: PULP Live World
If you’re always on the hunt for other Korean music genres besides K-Pop, then the Follow The Movement: AOMG World Tour 2023 happening at the New Frontier Theater will be for you.
You’ll get to listen to some hip hop by Korean artists Simon Dominic and Loco as well as some R&B by Lee Hi and Yugyeom. You can listen to a mix of both by GRAY, too.
Highlights:
Admission fee: P5,550 (~USD100.49) Balcony and Floor B | P7,500 (~USD135.80) Loge | P8,500 (~USD153.90) Floor A | P11,000 (~USD199.17) Royalty
Date: 15th January 2023
Time: 6pm
Address: New Frontier Theater, 7 General Malvar Ave, Cubao, Quezon City
Get your tickets online or at any TicketNet outlet near you.
Note: Ticket prices are exclusive of service charges.
Image credit: PULP Live World
If you’ve watched the Korean dramas Start-Up and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, then you’d want to go to the 2023 Kim Seon Ho Asia Tour <One, Two, Three. Smile> at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meet Kim Seon Ho in person and get the chance to interact with him and fellow fans.
Highlights:
Admission fee: P2,120 (~USD38.39) general admission | P4,240 (~USD76.77) Upper Box | P7,420 (~USD134.35) Lower Box Center | P8,480 (~USD153.54) Lower Box Sides | P9,540 (~USD172.74) Lower Box Premium | P10,600 (~USD191.93) VIP B | P13,250 (~USD240) VIP A
Date: 22nd January 2023
Time: 5pm
Address: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Mall of Asia Complex, J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay
Book your tickets online or at any SM Tickets outlet near you.
Image adapted from: eazytraveler/Flickr, Apo Whang Od
Tattoos have always been known as a way to express one’s self through body art. If you agree with that, then check out the Buscalan Tour happening this month. Experience getting tattooed in the traditional way by well-known traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od.
While the decades-long mambabatok (traditional tattoo artist) will be present, do note that due to her old age, her family members or apprentices take on most of the tattoo work.
You’ll get to meet a legend, acquire a new and unique-looking tattoo, and test your pain tolerance in one go.
Fee: P3,499 (~USD63.36)
Date: 6th-8th, 13th-15th, 20th-22nd, and 27th-29th January 2023
Address: Buscalan Village, Tinglayan, Kalinga
Check out this Facebook group for more information.
Note: The tour fee is exclusive of the traditional tattoo and personal travel fees.
Image credit: Nomer Llano
If you’re a hiking or trekking hobbyist, you can test your skills by joining the Happy Trekkers’ climb to Mount Polis via the Spanish trail in the Mountain Province this January.
You can meet fellow trekkers, climb to the top, and be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the neighboring towns.
Take note that the hike will start quite early, so you can catch the sunrise once you reach the top.
Fee: P2,800 (~USD50.70)
Date: 7th January 2023
Time: 7pm
Address: Bauko, Mountain Province
Find out more information here.
If you’re unsure how to start the year, then let these things to do in Metro Manila and beyond for January 2023 be your guide to making the most of the month.
You’ll have had fun, met a famous artist, and made some new memories by the end of January.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Ovation Productions, SM Mall of Asia Official, Otaku Expo
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