Christmas in the Philippines

Quick answer

• When: the season starts in September (the 'ber' months) and runs to the Feast of the Three Kings in early January.
• Parol: the star-shaped lantern hung in homes and streets, the symbol of a Filipino Christmas.
• Simbang Gabi: nine dawn or evening Masses from 16 to 24 December.
• Noche Buena: the family feast after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
• Giant Lantern Festival: huge electric lanterns compete in San Fernando, Pampanga, in mid-December.

Nowhere celebrates Christmas for longer than the Philippines. Carols start in malls on 1 September, and the season does not end until the Feast of the Three Kings in early January. Homes, churches and whole streets hang the parol, a star-shaped lantern that recalls the star of Bethlehem.

For visitors, December is a lovely time to be in the country: the weather is usually dry, the lights are everywhere, and the food is at its best. It is also peak travel season, so plan well ahead.

The traditions

1. The parol. Star lanterns, once made of bamboo and paper, now of capiz shell, plastic or LEDs, hang in windows and along streets.
2. Simbang Gabi. Nine Masses from 16 to 24 December, held before dawn or in the evening. Churches overflow, and stalls outside sell hot snacks.
3. Bibingka and puto bumbong. Rice cakes cooked over coals, sold outside churches after Simbang Gabi. Puto bumbong is purple, steamed in bamboo tubes and topped with butter, sugar and coconut.
4. Noche Buena. The family feast after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, often with ham, queso de bola (a round cheese) and lechon.
5. New Year’s Eve (Media Noche). Fireworks, noise and twelve round fruits on the table for luck in the new year.

The Giant Lantern Festival

The City of San Fernando, Pampanga, calls itself the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. Its Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul) began in the early 1900s and became electric in 1931. Today barangays compete with lanterns about 6 metres (20 feet) tall, covered in thousands of bulbs that flash and swirl to music.

The competition night falls in mid-December (13 December in 2025), and the lanterns are then displayed until New Year. San Fernando is about 1.5 to 2 hours north of Manila by road.

Tips for December travel

• Book early. Flights, ferries and resorts fill from mid-December to early January.
• Expect traffic in Manila, especially near malls in the weeks before Christmas.
• Go to one Simbang Gabi, even if you are not religious. Arrive early and dress modestly.
• Plan around the holidays. Many businesses close on 24, 25, 30 and 31 December and 1 January.

Make a trip of it

Spend a few days in Manila for the lights, the food and a day trip to San Fernando, then fly south for the dry-season beaches. See our Manila guide and our guide to the best time to visit.

Event dates are set by local governments each year. Check the latest announcements before you travel.

Photo gallery

Frequently asked questions

When does Christmas start in the Philippines?

Unofficially on 1 September, when carols start playing in malls. Decorations go up through the 'ber' months, and the season runs until the Feast of the Three Kings in early January.

What is Simbang Gabi?

A series of nine Masses held before dawn or in the evening from 16 to 24 December. Many people believe completing all nine brings a wish.

Where is the Giant Lantern Festival?

In the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, about 1.5 to 2 hours north of Manila. The competition night is in mid-December, and the lanterns are then displayed until New Year.

Is December a good time to visit?

The weather is usually dry and pleasant, but it is peak season. Flights, ferries and resorts are busy and expensive from mid-December to early January, so book early.