Nazareno 2026: Your Guide to Road Closures and Alternate Routes in Manila

(SPOT.ph) Every year, the Feast of Jesus Nazarene brings parts of Manila to a standstill—and January 9 will be no exception. With over eight million Catholics expected to join the procession, the Manila Police District (MPD) will enforce road closures and traffic reroutes starting 9:00 p.m. on January 8.

According to the Philippine National Police, around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed along the route, with 200 health emergency responders on standby to handle medical emergencies as the procession moves through the city.

The route begins at Quirino Grandstand and ends at Quiapo Church, cutting straight through Manila’s busiest corridors. As a result, the MPD has ordered the closure of several roads in both directions. These include Bonifacio Drive, P. Burgos Avenue, Finance Road, Independence Road, Taft Avenue, Ma. Orosa Street, Ayala Boulevard, C. Palanca Street, P. Casal Street, Legarda Street, Quezon Boulevard, and Romualdez Street.

If that list feels long, it’s because the route cuts across Manila’s core. MPD said even roads not formally listed can still be affected by rolling closures as the procession passes, especially once it reaches Quiapo.

If you absolutely have to pass through Manila on these dates, plan your route ahead using the advisories below.

Also read: Meet the Oldest Bodyguard of the Nazareno

Starting 9:00 p.m. on January 8, road closures apply to both directions unless stated otherwise.

• Bonifacio Drive

• P. Burgos Avenue (eastbound and westbound)

• Finance Road (eastbound and westbound)

• Independence Road

• Taft Avenue (northbound and southbound)

• Ma. Orosa Street (northbound and southbound)

• Ayala Boulevard (northbound and southbound)

• C. Palanca Street (northbound and southbound)

• P. Casal Street (northbound and southbound)

• Legarda Street (northbound and southbound)

• Quezon Boulevard (northbound and southbound)

• Romualdez Street

• Jones Bridge

• McArthur Bridge

• Lerma Street (westbound)

• Katigbak Drive and South Drive (controlled access for Manila Hotel and Hotel H2O only)

Traffic from A. Mabini Street or Ma. Orosa Street heading toward T.M. Kalaw Avenue will be redirected through U.N. Avenue, P. Guanzon Street, and Mabini Bridge.

Northbound vehicles on Taft Avenue going toward P. Burgos Avenue will follow the same reroute via U.N. Avenue, P. Guanzon Street, and Mabini Bridge.

Trucks and trailers bound for Mel Lopez Boulevard or the port area from Roxas Boulevard or Osmeña Highway will be rerouted through President Quirino Avenue and Mabini Bridge.

Vehicles from Mel Lopez Boulevard (R-10) bound for Roxas Boulevard will be diverted via Capulong Street, Yuseco Street, and Lacson Avenue.

Traffic from A. Mendoza Street going toward Quezon Boulevard will be rerouted through Fugoso Street and Rizal Avenue.

Westbound vehicles from España Boulevard heading to Quezon Boulevard will be redirected to N. Reyes Street and C.M. Recto Avenue.

Southbound traffic on Rizal Avenue that would normally pass through McArthur Bridge will be diverted to C.M. Recto Avenue and Legarda Street.

Vehicles coming from J. Abad Santos Avenue or R. Regente going to Intramuros will be rerouted via San Fernando Street, Madrid Street, Muelle de la Industria, the Binondo–Intramuros Bridge, and A. Soriano Avenue.

Light vehicles coming from Bonifacio Drive will be diverted at Anda Circle toward A. Soriano Avenue.

Also read: The 10 People You Need to Meet in Quiapo