10 Most Spectacular Yearly Christmas Displays in and around Metro Manila

Christmas is one of the most awaited and celebrated holidays in the Philippines. Filipinos celebrate Christmas as early as we hit the -ber months. Families, friends and loved ones get together to dine, see sites, watch fireworks, and just enjoy each others' company. Even during this pandemic, Filipinos still crave to experience that Christmas spirit in various places in and around the metro. Here are some of the places you can visit to make your Christmas celebration more memorable.

Note that this list is a general list of yearly Christmas displays. It's best to check the establishment's Facebook pages or websites if there are any updates on the actual event for the year.

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia (MOA), the largest mall in the Philippines and the third largest around the world, has become one of the most visited places in the metro during Christmas for its holiday displays, light shows and fireworks. MOA's Sparkle of Lights Show was opened on the last week of October and will continue to delight with its indoor Christmas tree music and light show until the end of December. The show will start every hour from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm everyday at the Central Atrium fronting H&M.

The MOA Holiday Fireworks is also back with the brightest and most dazzling display of fireworks every Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm from November 18 to December 30 at the Central Park, SM by the Bay.

MOA also plans to bring back its Night of Lights this 2022 but no announcements has been made yet.

For a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience this season, head over to SM MOA from October 22, 2022 to January 2, 2023 to experience this holiday event:

List of 2022 events as follows:

Santa Meet and Greet - October 22 to December 25 (Every Saturday and Sunday)
MOA Holiday Fireworks - November to December every Friday and Saturday
MOA Lights Show - October 22 to December 31
Holiday Creator Studio - November to December
SM Bears of Joy - November to December
MOA Holiday Market - October 27, 2022 to January 8, 2023

All photos below are from the SM Mall of Asia Facebook page.

Source: SM Mall of Asia Facebook page

Ayala Triangle Gardens' Festival of Lights

Ayala Triangle Gardens has a huge Christmas display every year. During the onset of the pandemic, they showcased a virtual light show so spectators didn't have to leave their homes to enjoy the festive lights. The 360-degree animated video featured laser lights, holograms and dancing strong and helix lights while playing iconic heartwarming holiday medleys by Jose Mari Chan. This year, 2022, the Festival of Lights will continue to delight us with its spectacular lighting shows and festive musical performances, leading the Christmas season for families and children of all ages. Catch this daily every hour from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm from November 10 to January 8. You can check Ayala Triangle Gardens' Facebook page or the Make it Makati Facebook page for updates.

Photos from Make it Makati Facebook page

Luneta Park / Rizal Park

Luneta Park (also known as Rizal Park) is one of Manila's public park where people can relax and admire the city from a different perspective. The National Parks Development Committee will formally open the Christmas season by lighting up the park. The lighted-up park also includes the opening of the giant Christmas Tree, Belen and other Christmas decorations along with the simultaneous lighting of Manila City Hall, Intramuros, National Museum and Philippine Post Office. All photos below are from the Facebook pages of the National Parks Development Committee and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila.

Source: National Parks Development Committee Facebook page

Source: Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila Facebook page

Okada Manila

Okada Manila's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was held on November 18, 2022 to welcome the Yuletide season in the hotel. This year, the Grand Okada Manila Christmas tree was displayed at the Fountain Foyer, along with the Christmas Village and Daily Lights Show at the Crystal Pavilion. The Christmas Village will be open daily from 11:00 am to 1:00 am until January 1, 2023. The Daily Lights Show will also continue until January 1, 2023 with shows starting at 6:30 pm and every hour thereafter. The last show will be at 11:30 pm. Photo below is from the Okada Manila Facebook page.

Source: Okada Manila Facebook page

Eastwood City

You will also start feeling the Christmas vibe in Eastwood City as early as September 2022. They've started hosting Christmas bazaars and markets around the vicinity such as the Pre-Christmas Bazaar held from September 27 to October 2 and the Honest Harvest Christmas Market held last September 19-25.

In 2021, the mall was decorated with different Christmas displays around its premises to celebrate the holiday season last year. The festivities included the Festive Fungi, Merry Mycelium, a holiday spectacle unlike any other featuring Leeroy New's masterpiece. There was also the Magical Christmas Carousel Garden at the 4th level of the Eastwood Mall and the Neon Lights Display at the Eastwood Central Plaza. And of course, no one has probably missed the 40-foot Christmas tree at the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Photos below are from the Eastwood City Facebook page.

Photos from the Eastwood City Facebook page

Crosswinds Tagaytay's Trail of Lights

Tagaytay’s crisp air and cold weather will have you and your family and friends excited to spend Christmas here! And while you're here, why not pass through Crosswinds where you and your family can celebrate the holidays in their Trail of Lights while admiring the Tagaytay's scenic views and trying different restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood. This year, Crosswinds Tagaytay will launch its traditional Christmas display on November 19 at 6:00 pm with its Pooch Pawrade and Let's Jingle and Mingle with Santa events. Visit the Crosswinds Tagaytay Facebook page for more details of the 2022 schedule and activities.

Photo from Crosswinds Tagaytay Facebook page

Capitol Commons

Capitol Commons welcomes the holiday season with yet another light display and installation similar to last year's Lights at the Park. This year, they will light up the place again with its Merry Magical Illuminated Path which will be lit every 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm starting November 15 up to January 8, 2023. Visitors can also treat themselves to a variety of food and drink selections at the Christmas Food Bazaar. This bazaar is open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Fridays through Sundays.

Source: Capitol Commons Facebook page

Bonifacio Global City/Bonifacio High Street

Bonifacio Global City and High Street will not let itself be left behind the festivities and they actually have more to offer than any other malls in the metro. Here are the list of holiday events that you can go to:

Event	Date & Time	Venue
Santa Meet and Greet	December 4, 11 and 18 at 3:00 pm	One Bonifacio High Street
Simbang Gabi	December 15-23 at 6:30 pm	BHS Amphitheater
Friday Fireworks	November 18 - December 30 at 7:30 pm	5th Avenue
Street Serenade at 5th	November 26, December 3, 10 and 17	5th Avenue
New Year's Eve Countdown	December 31	TBA
Sining at Pasko (Mga Likha, Kanta at Pagkain ng Lokal)	Weekends (November 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4) at 3:00 - 9:00 pm	Alveo Central Plaza BGC Arts Center

Photos from the Bonifacio Global City Facebook page.

Photo from BGC Facebook page

Ortigas East and Ortigas Malls

Located on another side of Pasig City, Ortigas East brings back their Christmas Street Light Musical Tunnel where you can witness the vibrant light display along Central Avenue starting November 4 to January 8 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

They are also hosting a Christmas Food Bazaar with a variety of food and drink selections every Friday to Sunday at 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Tiendesitas and Estancia are also entertaining its mall goers with a magical fireworks display every Saturdays of December, Christmas and New Year from December 10 to January 1.

Photos below are taken from the Ortigas East Facebook page.

Source: Ortigas East Facebook page

Sumulong Park, Antipolo City

Last year, a 44-foot Christmas tree was also lit up in Sumulong Park in Antipolo City made of 37,000 recycled plastic bottles. It was adorned with colorful flowers and a red ribbon. This year, Antipolo City lit up its Encanto-themed 40-foot Y.E.S. Christmas tree last November 25 in Sumulong Park celebrated with a grand fireworks display. You can visit Sumulong Park to witness this beautiful installation until the end of the year.