How is Christmas Celebrated
in the Philippines?
The tropical paradise invites you to celebrate Christmas with the Filipino community. As you know, nearly 80% of Catholics reside in the Philippines, where they observe Christmas as their festival. With the rich Filipino cultural heritage, you can enjoy Christmas in the Philippines, where street vendors sell bibingka, puto bumbong, colourful parol, and more. The tradition begins with Simbang Gabi, where Filipinos honour the Virgin Mary and seek divine favours. Continue with this blog; we will explore when and how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines.
What is the Weather Like during Christmas in Philippines?
For Catholics, who comprise nearly 80% of the population, Christmas is celebrated for almost four months. However, the festival is primarily observed in December. More or less, the Philippines Christmas weather tends to be cooler, averaging between 23°C and 28°c. Are you interested in learning more about the Christmas weather in the Philippines? Peruse the table for a clearer picture of what weather to expect during December. This information will help you celebrate Christmas with a more festive spirit.
| Destination | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Banaue | 23°C |
| Boracay | 24°C |
| Cebu | 27°C |
| Manila | 28°C |
| Palawan | 28°C |
| Bohol & Panglao Island | 25°C |
| Southern Luzon | 26°C |
What Time Does Christmas Start in the Philippines?
As we discussed above, people in the Philippines deeply believe in Christmas. This festival embodies religious devotion, cultural values, musical traditions, monetary aspects, and family reunions. Christmas in the Philippines presents a perfect opportunity to invest your time with greater authenticity and spirituality.
According to some reports, Christmas starts in September. Many people believe that all the months ending in "ber" are connected to Jesus and the joyful celebration of his birth. Most Filipinos are Christians and celebrate Christmas until the first Sunday of January, when the Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, is celebrated.
Why is Christmas Celebrated in the Philippines?
In various areas of the Philippines, communities come together before Christmas to observe Misa de Gallo, also known as 'Simbang Gabi.' This ritual honours the Virgin Mary and seeks her blessings. Christmas traditions blend Western and Indigenous influences, allowing a deeper exploration of Filipino culture. Christianity arrived in the Philippines in the 1500s through the efforts of Portuguese and Spanish missionaries.
Since then, Filipinos have embraced wonderful symbols such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, cards, and carols. Locals also proudly decorate with bamboo parols, adding a delightful local touch to the celebration and enhancing its extravagant beauty. Communicate with the travel representative if you wish to be part of this incredible adventure with your family and friends.
How do Filipinos Celebrate Christmas in the Philippines?
Christmas traditions in the Philippines blend Catholicism with Filipino culture. They celebrate the festive season with nativity scenes, parols, Santa Claus, Simbang Gabi, and elements of Spanish heritage. Let's open your celebration mode and enjoy a more classic journey of spirituality, joy, and culture.
- 1. Belen
- a. Interactive sets are created from porcelain and recycled material.
- b. Be a part of a spiritual story, combining baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and many other key figures.
- c. The nativity scene allows you to learn the story of Jesus' birth and his works towards humanity.
- 2. Simbang Gabi
- a. It is a series of nine dawn masses held during the last nine days from Christmas Eve.
- b. The masses commence their journey early in the morning from 4:00 a.m.
- c. The Filipino community believes that if you complete all nine Masses, Jesus will grant your Christmas wish.
- d. After masses, people come together with their families to have Puto bumbong, Bibingka, salabat, and many other Filipino Christmas foods.
- 3. Decorate Homes
- a. When this festival began, you would find a parol in every house, school, church, street, and shop.
- b. This star-shaped lantern enhances Christmas in Philippines and evokes a cosier theme.
- c. You will find many musical shows and holiday performances across the country.
- 4. Have Filipino Christmas Foods
- a. Spend quality time with your family and friends as you savour delicious, authentic Filipino meals together, creating cherished memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
- i. Lechon
- ii. Bibingka
- iii. Embutido
- iv. Lumpiang ubod
- v. Buko Salad
- vi. Leche flan
- vii. Puto bumbong
- Noche Buena is the Christmas Eve dinner following Misa de Gallo. It is a grand feast when everyone comes together to prepare the meal and enjoy it collectively.
- a. Spend quality time with your family and friends as you savour delicious, authentic Filipino meals together, creating cherished memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
- 5. Manito-Manita
- a. Enjoy Secret Santa with a touch of Filipino culture. Share your gifts with one another.
- b. You will need to give a gift to everyone present in the group, not just to your Manito or Manita.
- c. Once the gift-sharing process concludes, everyone will open their gifts and guess who gave them.
- d. After the whole process, sing "I Love My Manita/Manita Yes I Do" and collect the 'ang pao'. Seniors give children money over Christmas using red or blue envelopes.
Traditional Christmas in the Philippines means celebrating happiness and sharing good things with each other. Make the most of this incredible phase and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. So, what are you doing this Christmas? Make the most of this festive period, connect with the Filipino Travel Center, and secure your booking to be closer to Filipino culture and heritage, while sharing memories with your loved ones.
You may Read Also: Panagbenga Festival Travel Guide | Travel Guide for the Philippines in January
FAQs
Yes. Since the Spanish community colonised the Philippines, Filipinos have celebrated Christmas. Today, the Philippines is also considered one of the most holy Catholic countries in the world.
In most sections of the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated from September due to a blend of religious devotion, cultural enthusiasm, and familial emotions.
Christmas begins in September in the Philippines because it is also the best time for homecoming and creating beautiful memories with family and local friends.