10 Cheery Sights to See In and Around Metro Manila
(SPOT.ph) The year is coming to a close, which means that unless you’re a corporate slave, you’ve got a lot of free time to burn. Many are already planning how they’ll be spending their precious break time getting into the full holiday vibe. And while many would opt to stay in, watch Christmas shows, and catch up on series they've missed during the year, there are still those who prefer to spend the short holiday break out exploring the city and its neighboring areas. Lucky for us, there are a lot of seasonal sights and scenes to visit during this festive time. We round up a list of Christmas sights that will lift your mood and make you extra cheery this holiday season.
Also read:
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Visit these 10 bright spots in Metro Manila this Christmas:
Ayala Triangle Gardens Festival of Lights
After two virtual celebrations amid the pandemic, Ayala Triangle Gardens' annual Festival of Lights finally returned IRL. The show, titled The Christmas Lights Factory, runs daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January 8, 2023. The lights display has all the works: visuals projected unto trees moving slowly to form colorful indigenous patterns and familiar Christmas elements like halos, stars, and our own parol. All the designs and elements eventually end with an explosion of colors. Three holiday medleys accompany this grand presentation: a rendition by the Manila Symphony Orchestra; upbeat music worthy of a TikTok reel by Tris Suguitan, Jazz Nicolas, and Mikey Amistoso; and a chorale rendition by Nicolas and Amistoso.
Festival of Lights is on display at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The show runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January 8, 2023. For updates, follow Make it Makati on Facebook.
Nuvali Fountain of Lights
Since we're back to celebrating the holidays IRL, another festive sight that made a comeback this year is Nuvali's famous Fountain of Lights. Marvel at three fantastic shows of music, lights, and water. Watch Sayaw ng Parol, an homage to the classic Filipino Christmas symbol, or The Ocean Depths, which features neon and glow-in-the-dark sea creatures, or learn about the constellations and space with The Night Sky. Catch these free shows from Friday to Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Nuvali's Lakeside Grounds in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, until January 8.
Fountain of Lights is on display at Nuvali's Lakeside Grounds, Sta. Rosa, Laguna from Friday to Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m, until January 8, 2023. For updates, follow Nuvali on Facebook.
Araneta City's Christmas on Display
Are you missing the Cubao scene of your youth or simply hoping to reintroduce the spot to a new generation? Well, you're in luck. This year Araneta City brought back its signature Christmas on Display show, as well as the Fiesta Carnival. For a P50 entrance fee, relive the nostalgia as you enter Times Square Park. Make new core memories with the new Cubao by taking selfies with the Giant Christmas Tree, watching the nativity story through the COD, enjoying the rides and games at Fiesta Carnival, and going on a food trip. Plan your trips accordingly, as the Christmas on Display runs daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, the Fiesta Carnival is open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Christmas on Display and Fiesta Carnival is at Times Square Park, Araneta City, Quezon City. The Christmas on Display runs daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Fiesta Carnival is open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit Araneta City's Facebook page.
Also read: Neighborhoods: Why Araneta City in Cubao Is the Metro's Christmas Blueprint
SM Mall of Asia's Night of Lights
Get into the holiday vibe with seven larger-than-life colorful light displays inspired by your favorite Disney and Pixar characters. Revel in the glow of the fairy lights and Christmas decor from the comfort of your own vehicle, hitch a ride on the MOA tram, or even test out the special Hyundai cars they have in the area. SM MOA's Night of Lights runs daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds until January 8.
SM Mall of Asia's Night of Lights runs daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds until January 8. For more information, visit SM Mall of Asia's Facebook page.
Eastwood City's Efflorescence-themed Christmas Display
Christmas is in full bloom at Eastwood City. Check out their floral-themed Christmas displays, tunnel of lights, and more botanical-fairy light-covered sights. Snap a ton of pics, chill, dine, and shop at Eastwood while marveling at these larger-than-life tropical installations scattered around the mall complex.
Eastwood Christmas in Full Bloom is at Eastwood City Complex, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. For more information, visit Eastwood City's Facebook page.
Baguio Country Club's Oriental Winter Wonderland
Are you celebrating Christmas in the City of Pines? Then, you might want to check out Baguio Country Club's Christmas Village display this year, dubbed an "Oriental Winter Wonderland" experience. The Baguio Country Club's Oriental Winter Wonderland is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until January 8, 2023. It features several light displays, a snow show, and Asian-inspired landscapes set to make folks feel the winter holiday spirit right in the Cordilleras.
Baguio Country Club Christmas Village is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance fee starts at P90 for adults and P50 for children 12 years old and below. For more information, visit the Baguio Country Club Facebook page.
Capital Town Pampanga's All Wrapped Up Christmas
Right at the heart of San Fernando, Pampanga, comes a holiday treat for those looking for a festive sight outside the crazy and chaotic world of Metro Manila. We're talking about Capital Town Pampanga's Christmas Special: All Wrapped Up, which runs every Thursday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Catch special lights and sound shows, Christmas installations, holiday markets, kalesa rides, and other activities that'll get you on a Christmas high. One activity to look out for is the 3D light projection on Capital Town Pampanga's main building—the first of its kind in Pampanga.
All Wrapped Up is at Capital Town Pampanga, Capitol Road, San Fernando, Pampanga. It is open from Thursdays to Sundays, starting at 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. For more information, visit Capital Town Pampanga's Facebook page.
Taguig City's Christmas By the Lake
Christmas by the Lake is a free, family-friendly outdoor attraction at the Lakeshore Area in Barangay Lower Bicutan. It features light shows, food parks, and a lot of holiday shebang. The attraction is open to the public daily until January 15 from 5 p.m. until 12 a.m. Guests who want to visit The Lights of Christmas park are advised to book online, as only a limited number of folks will be allowed entry to the park at a time. However, apart from the lights show, all other attractions are open for walk-in guests.
Christmas by the Lake is at the TLC Park, Lakeshore area along Laguna Lake Highway in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City. Gates open at 5 p.m. For more information, visit Christmas by the Lake- TLC Village's Facebook page.
Forbes Town's Colorful Christmas Sights
Relish in bright and colorful Christmas decorations and lights as you stroll and dine along the 500-meter stretch of Forbes Town Road. The gleaming sights at Forbes Town include hanging lighted mistletoes along the road, colorful Christmas lights, and hand-painted Christmas trees all over the neighborhood. Looking for a backdrop for your holiday photo? Drop by the dome at Burgos Park, and you'll have the most festive picture perfect for the 'Gram. Aside from the displays available all season long, catch dazzling shows with different on-ground performances, entertainment for the whole family like a Mascot Meet & Greet, and other Holiday-themed shows for all Saturdays of December.
Forbes Town's Colorful Christmas Sights are along Forbes Town Road, Taguig City. For more information, visit Forbes Town's Facebook page.
Christmas Emporium at Alabang Town Center
They went all out in decking the halls of Alabang Town Center this December, so don’t miss out on relishing their grand Christmas Emporium. ATC celebrates Christmas with a full-scale Tower Orrery in motion, a rotating life-size musical box, and a unique take on a giant snow globe. Mall-goers will also be treated to a sights and sound show, which will be capped off by ATC's well-loved Fire in the Sky display. Catch the display at the Town Plaza until January 1, 2023. Witness the magical sights and sound show every weekend in December from 6 p.m. onwards.
The Christmas Emporium is at the Town Plaza, Alabang Town Center, Filinvest, Muntinlupa. For more information, visit Alabang Town Center's Facebook page.
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