Philippines Christmas: A Guide To All The Happy Filipino Traditions

The Filipinos are the best at celebrating Christmas. Christmas in the Philippines has been celebrated for the longest period of time anywhere in the world. The nation is notorious for beginning its celebrations months in advance. The Philippines transforms into a winter wonderland over the holiday season, making it one of the most popular destinations for tourists worldwide. One of the Christmas customs in the Philippines is for people to begin making preparations in September.

The first Sunday in January, when they celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings, marks the end of the “Ber Months,” when Filipinos start getting into the Christmas spirit from the beginning of September. With more than 80% of the population being Catholic and the majority of people being Christians, Christmas is the most important holiday celebrated nationwide. You cannot find a greater experience for the impending Christmas than here, in the Philippines, where Christmas is celebrated for more than three months and where there are some incredible places to visit.

Best Christmas Activities in the Philippines

It can be challenging to decide when to travel to the Philippines and what to do because the Christmas tradition there starts early. You can find a list of activities, destinations, and holiday customs on TravelTriangle. This is the happiest time of the year.

1. Create your own ornamental lantern.

One of the most important and ancient Christmas customs in the Philippines is singing carols. These are essential lanterns with bamboo and decorative paper frame. These stunning lanterns are significant because they helped many townspeople and villagers across the nation find churches and chapels where they could pray. They became a national icon of Christmas cheer as a result. Making one’s own Parols and hanging them up in one’s home and other locations are becoming a prevalent custom in the nation. You can create your own Parol here, getting to know the culture and traditions of the nation while also illuminating your surroundings and yourself with the festive mood.

2. Simbang Gabi events

Another long-standing custom in the nation is this one. This is something that every sincere Christian has on their list of things to do. Simbang Gabi is a nine-day continuous ceremony that begins on December 16 and is intended for worship and prayer. One of the most important cultural experiences you can have here is attending this service. Every nine days, the community honors it by getting up early, and it is stated that those who finish receive one wish fulfilled.

3. Take part in the Caroling

Around the Philippines, carol singing starts in September. This is among the most well-known ways that Filipinos make Christmas joyous. Throughout the nation, there are numerous organizations that perform popular holiday tunes in both the local tongue and English on the streets and at markets. The nice part about this is that they are really inclusive, so if you want to, you may sing along with them during their concerts. Singing holiday tunes and socializing with people is one of the most enjoyable experiences travelers may have while traveling the nation. The Caroling has recently grown to be one of the major fundraising events for charities around the nation.

4. Visit Pampangas

The finest spot to be in the Philippines for Christmas is probably Pampanga. Without visiting this city, one can hardly say that they have experienced Christmas in the Philippines. The renowned Giant Lantern Festival has been held in Pampanga for the past 80 years. One of the most visually appealing things you can see anywhere in the globe is the festival. The city sparkles brightly at night, providing you with some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever see. The entire city is covered in the lights of lanterns crafted by people, many of whom are Parols. The journey here is made much better by the gorgeous drive up to the city.

5. Participate in Noche Buena

Noche Buena is a lavish holiday celebration with an enormous amount of food that is one of the best Christmas culinary traditions in the Philippines. Families across the nation prepare a large amount of food for consumption on Christmas Eve, including some of the most well-known local specialties like queso de bola, hams, pancit, lechon, puto bumbong, and many other things. You can get to know the local families while also savoring the tasty and satisfying food that is provided at this time of year.

6. Check out the Baguio Country Club

Baguio Country Club, a very extravagant Christmas village constructed for celebrations, is the place to come for any visitor looking for a stunning performance. The country club just opened, but its dazzling light show and fake snow have made it one of the nation’s top Christmas attractions. Tourists may experience a real Christmas climate here, complete with fake snow and chilly weather. The club also has a number of constructions created from recycled supplies used by local artists at the time.

7. Go to Itbayat

Because of its chilly climate, many people enjoy visiting Itbayat. The Philippines’ northernmost town is the one with the coldest climate since it is the farthest away from the equator. This is the location to be if you want to celebrate Christmas in the cold. This city transforms into a winter wonderland for visitors between the months of November to February since it is surrounded by mountains and experiences temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius. Every establishment in the Philippines offers native delicacies to satisfy tourists’ appetites, making Christmas food one of the city’s main draws. We advise packing appropriate attire for the season because December’s weather in the Philippines can be challenging.

8. To unwind, go to Davao City

Being involved in all the Christmas customs, festivities, housework, and other activities is exhausting. In order to rest, re-energize, and prepare for the New Year, you might travel to Davao City after finishing that. It is a well-known fact about Christmas in the Philippines that both residents and visitors flock here to unwind. The city also features the highest peak in the nation, which you can drive up to or climb, depending on your preference, and enjoy a lovely Christmas wind with a picturesque view of the city shrouded in mist.

9. Shop in regional bazaars

Christmas present buying is a joyous affair in the Philippines at the end of the year since all the malls and stores lower their prices. Since December also happens to be the 13th month of pay for local employees, it is during this month that both locals and visitors alike do the majority of their shopping in the nation. Every bazaar resembles a celebration of goods as individuals buy a lot of goods and donate them to their friends, family, and the less fortunate. Giving presents is one of the city’s oldest and most revered customs, and this month is the ideal time to participate.

10. Experience Snow World in Star City.

This is the ideal location to visit if you want to have a more peaceful and relaxed day but don’t want to leave Manila. In a usually warm nation, Snow World in Star City gives its visitors the chance to enjoy a beautiful, white Christmas. With a variety of indoor attractions like igloos, snow sculptures, kid-friendly train rides, lengthy ice slides, and more, Snow World is a must-visit location for families wishing to have a good time with their kids, making Star City one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.

11. View the nation’s biggest Christmas tree.

The biggest Christmas tree in the nation is displayed each year at Tagum City. It is amazing to see, breaking records every year with trees that are as tall as a 20-story structure. The record from the previous year was astounding—180 feet. To really appreciate its splendor, you’ll need to view it from a distance. Seeing the tree lit up in all its beauty has grown to be one of the top local and visitor attractions over the years. One of the nicest things to do in the Philippines is to take a detour to Tagum.

I hope this has brought insight into how the Philippines celebrate their Christmas holiday and which takes place for over 4 months, it is one of the greatest celebrations that take place in the country. But still, face hardship throughout the land because not enough people are trying to educate and retrain their minds to get past some of the culturalistic behavior that is holding back economic progress and unity amongst people.