Christmas in the Philippines begins in September; hence, expect houses and stores to have decorations already in the winter months. Plenty of exciting, family-friendly events and locations will make you happy if you spend the holiday season visiting the major tourist sites of the Philippines.
Many amazing Philippines holiday sites in the nation celebrate and highlight Christmas customs should you arrange a Christmas holiday for your family, friends, or loved ones with World Pinoy Flights.
The following is a list of the top Christmas holiday sites in the Philippines that value their rich culture, events, exhibits, attractions, and cold December weather that might greatly enhance and rememberability of your holidays.
San Fernando, Pampanga
A Holiday to San Fernando, Pampanga, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, is the ideal destination for Filipinos in December. People from all throughout the nation swarm here to see the best parol (Christmas lanterns) and, naturally, to see the Giant Lantern Festival, also known as Ligligan Parul.
Beginning in 1908, this celebration is observed yearly in December when barangays (villages) vie for the title of best lantern makers in San Fernando.
More than this festive spectacle, Pampanga offers to see and experience. Being the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, visiting some of the greatest Pampanga restaurants makes any Pampanga holiday worthwhile. Plan a stay at the top Pampanga hotels and resorts to maximise your trip. Either an Angeles day trip or a get-to-know-the-city of Clark will let you discover the major sites in the province.
Try the incredibly exciting wakeboarding action at Pradera Verde. Engage in exciting outdoor sports like bike ziplining at Sinagtala Farm Resort, among the top mountain resorts in the province of Bataan close by. Another day excursion to Inflatable Island in Subic lets you bounce and jiggle your way throughout the course or tour the top Subic hotels and resorts.
If you want a more daring holiday trip, join a Mt. Pinatubo hiking excursion and board a 4×4 to power across rugged terrain. You will see distinctive terrain featuring lahar canyons, breathtaking rock formations, and trash from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
One of the best natural hot springs in the Philippines, Puning Hot Spring Holidays also allows you to enjoy nature’s therapeutic power.
Baguio
Spend a fun-filled holiday in Baguio, far from the heat and humidity of the metropolitan area. The yearly Christmas Village in Baguio Country Club is why The City of Pines is bustling this season.
The location embodies the season with lanterns, lights, and synthetic snow. You could also include more Baguio trips since you’re visiting for the cold and this striking attraction!
Without visiting other well-known tourist destinations in Baguio City, including Camp John Hay, Woodcarver’s Village, Tam-awan Village, and the adjacent Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, and BenCab Museum by National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, a trip to the City of Pines would not be complete. While you’re there, take advantage of some of the top Baguio eateries.
Booking a Baguio hotel stay at some of the greatest ones, such as The Manor at Camp John Hay, can help you to maximise your Baguio holiday.
Tagaytay
Look no further than Tagaytay if you wish to have a quick yet fun Christmas staycation in a cool location with your family getaway close to Manila. Spend a day in Picnic Grove appreciating the surroundings. Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss the amazing Taal Lake and Volcano while you’re there. Apart from day visits, Tagaytay hotels let you arrange a homestay. Tagaytay hotels with an eye toward Taal are the finest ones to book.
Tagaytay has a lot to offer. You can slurp down bulalo (beef marrow stew) at some of the best places, drink coffee or hot chocolate at local Tagaytay cafes, take a boat ride on Taal Lake, or let your inner child loose at Sky Ranch Theme Park.
When you do your pasalubong (souvenir), remember to include heaps of buko pie (coconut custard pie) and other Tagaytay treats. You may present some to your relatives or serve it to your holiday guests when they swing by. This is an excellent approach to end your holiday journey down south!
Makati
Christmas decorations in the Philippines show a blend of great imagination and vivid culture, depending on where you live. Ayala Triangle’s Festival of Lights in Makati City is among the most sought-after events in December for Metro Manila and the Philippines.
Not only for residents who have made it a holiday ritual to watch but also for visitors, the special lighting show dancing to cheerful Christmas medleys is much awaited in Makati.
Makati’s business centre does not feature only tall corporate buildings. To learn more about the area and the many activities you could engage in while visiting, look at the appropriate sites or arrange the appropriate excursions. Makati has a lot to do!
For example, you can tour an airport’s ancient passenger terminal and control tower—the Nielsen Tower. These days, Blackbird is an aviation-themed restaurant.
On another day, you could explore Makati’s museums, including the Yuchengco Museum and Museo ng Makati. Spending a day at one (or more) of Makati’s malls—like Greenbelt and Circuit Makati—also allows you to embrace the season of giving.
Plan your trip for a weekend so you can visit the Salcedo Weekend Market in Salcedo Village, which will appeal to all your senses. You can also join a walking and sightseeing tour of Makati City to see this urban jungle.
Cavite
Especially at this time of year, Cavite offers more than Tagaytay. The city administration of Imus hosts a month-long celebration known as “Paskuhan sa Imus.” It covers trade exhibits, a fireworks display, beauty contests, and other festivities.
The Maytinis Festival occurs in Kawit town on Christmas Eve. The celebration stages a theatrical re-enactment of the Virgin Mary and Joseph’s “Panunuluyan.” Also, reinventing Biblical scenes are floats.
Watch for the unique decorations in every neighbourhood. Visit Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine to see a stunning exhibition of brilliant lights dancing to Christmas music. You already live in Kawit.
Regarding Cavite’s local cuisine, visit Calle Real, one of Tanza’s oldest buildings now serving as a restaurant. They present classic Cavite cuisine using recipes handed down over the years, including squid and pancit choko.
Iloilo
Commemorate Christmas during the annual Festival of Lights and Music event hosted at Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City, a remarkable holiday destination in the Visayas. Thousands of people swarm this event to honour Christ’s birth and take in the ancient institution covered in magnificent Christmas lights.
Investigate the major tourist destinations with our Iloilo tour packages, as you are already in the province.
When you are organising your trip to Iloilo, look into the best activities to maximise your holiday time. See provincial historical and cultural sites. This yuletide season, Iloilo visits century-old churches and houses or sets off on holiday to Islas de Gigantes for much-needed rest and leisure.
Take a one-day Iloilo farm-agricultural excursion that will take the whole family on an exciting nature adventure. From savouring outdoor activities in Damires Hills Tierra Verde to tasting fresh organic veggies and fruits in Orchard Valley, this ought to be a fantastic and unforgettable Christmas trip!
Dumaguete
With Apo Island Dive the most visited tourist destination in the region, Dumaguete is well-known for its kind residents and tranquil seaside neighbourhood. Though it’s a little laid-back location, this is the ideal off-the-beaten-path Christmas spot in the Philippines since it surprises you.
The Christmas House is one of Dumaguete’s most sought-after sights this season. Driven by a real love of art and design, Dr Rico Absin transforms his Spanish house with lights and decorations to thrill the public.
For almost two decades, his house has been dependably the most brilliant and merriest each year. This is clearly a one-of-a-kind experience for the books!
Recharging, snorkelling, or enjoying a beach picnic, another Dumaguete event you might attempt is the dolphin-watching excursion and a trip to Manjuyod Sandbar, also known as “The Maldives of the Philippines”. Should you be beginning to dive or an experienced diver, Dumaguete diving should be on your diving bucket list.
Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
One of the must-see sites in Visayas, Don Salvador Benedicto, sometimes known as “The Summer Capital of Nergros Occidental” and “The Little Baguio of Negros Occidental,” is another great Christmas holiday spot where you might have a cool holiday. Usually starting from Bacolod City, well-known for being the gateway to the popular The Ruins and mouthwatering chicken inasal dish among many other Bacolod tourist destinations, you can discover this place by signing a Don Salvador Benedicto trip.
One of the nicest spots in the Philippines to enjoy Christmas if you wish for some peace is here. Visit for a comprehensive view of Jomax Peak, an organic farm regarded as a health and wellness hub, together with the mountain ranges of the Rapha Valley.
Though there might not be any lights and fireworks shows, the rich greeneries and foggy surroundings will help you embrace Christmas.
A day journey to the well-known Lakawon Island for a laid-back beach excursion or to Bacolod City allows you to experience a Bacolod sightseeing experience, visit ancestral homes, or engage in a cuisine tour.
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
To make Christmas more fun, go to the Grand Festival of Lights Parade at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila. Though it’s a mouthful, it suits as it’s a large and brilliant event suitable for the sight. One of the most looked forward to events in the Philippines; this one is gradually growing to be a Christmas custom.
Apart from this holiday celebration that will inspire all children and kids-at-heart, Pasay, Metro Manila offers lots of other activities that are accessible to Manila hotels for booking.
Purchase a 2-hour Dessert Museum Ticket to 8 Themed Rooms & Complimentary Dessert for an immersive, mouthwatering, Instagrammable activity that will make you grin. Their eight artistically appealing rooms with dessert themes create fascinating photo possibilities!
UST Paskuhan, Manila
Without including the Paskuhan of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila City, this Christmas destination list would not be complete.
Starting in 1991, this month-long annual Christmas celebration is among the most popular places in Manila to savour the season.
Your list of must-add Metro Manila tourism destinations includes the performances from Thomasian artists and well-known bands, the sight of a towering Christmas tree, the lights and pyro-musical shows, and seeing the Thomasian community at this time of year.
Paskuhan is open to everybody, but if you intend to visit, you must quickly contact your Thomasian acquaintance. Non-Thomasian guests are not allowed onto the grounds without an ID holder.
This is also a great opportunity to look at other Manila excursions and events. Spend a day exploring some of the top Manila museums, fully appreciating the country’s legacy, history, and art.
After feasting at some of the best buffet restaurants in Manila, if you’re down for more physical activity, Intramuros trips on a bamboo bicycle ride or by horse-drawn carriage tour are also popular date locations in Manila. These tours allow you to explore a historic area and amazing architecture.
For your Manila staycation, see our list of the top hotels in Manila should you be only visiting Manila.
Tangub City
One of Mindanao’s must-see sites, Tangub City in Misamis Occidental, hosts the Christmas Symbol Festival, a month-long celebration with glittering light installations modelled after well-known world sites. The Department of Tourism even awarded Tangub City the distinction of the Christmas Symbol Capital of the Philippines in 2007.
Installations in their city plazas, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral of France, the Garden Fountain at Isola Bella of Italy, and the Hwaseong Fortress of South Korea, resemble a Christmas voyage across the globe.
Memorial Hill, with a Japanese canon from World War II, and Hoyohoy Highland Park, with a panoramic view of Panquil Bay surrounded by the cities, are other popular tourist destinations in Tangub City. You might also make a side trip to adjacent Ozamiz City.
Take a Merry-Meaning Christmas Getaway with World Pinoy Flights
Christmas in the Philippines is the festival Filipinos (including foreigners) most eagerly await out of all the holidays available. Fortunately, the nation boasts many locations with different Christmas events for those yearning for adventure and excitement over the holidays.
Celebrating Christmas is most certainly more enjoyable in the Philippines (dare we say “merrier”?)
Discover Philippine tours and activities you may include in your schedule to make your Christmas holidays in the Philippines unforgettable. Learn about the finest Filipino Christmas cuisine to indulge in!
View our Philippines holiday packages to receive the lowest prices when booking all-inclusive Philippine holiday packages and Philippine hotels, including five-star hotels.
