Christmas in the Philippines is very different from Christmas in other countries.
A Philippines Christmas has its own charm, its own appeal, its own beauty, which pairs wonderfully with island nation’s notoriously warm hospitality.
Filipino Christmas celebrations begin long before the actual holiday, and you can often hear Christmas songs in the Philippines as early as September!
You can go to any mall, whether in the capital or in the provinces, and you’ll likely find yourself immersed in the holiday spirit.
Read on for our guide to the best ways (& places) to celebrate the Christmas season in the Philippines, including a look at the history of the holiday, common Christmas traditions, Filipino Christmas decorations, and more.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Places to Spend Christmas in the USA
Christmas in the Philippines Guide
- History Of Christmas in the Philippines
- Christmas Traditions in the Philippines
- Christmas Food in the Philippines
- Christmas Decorations in the Philippines
- Top 5 Places for a Christmas Celebration in the Philippines
READ MORE: The 30 Best Places to Spend Christmas in Europe
History 0f Christmas in the Philippines
In the old days, Christmas in the Philippines used to be a very simple affair.
It was not so much an occasion of celebration as it was a time of year when people would go to church and then return home to eat with family and friends.
The average Filipino Christmas was celebrated by lighting candles and saying prayers in the house, rather than by going out and having fun.
Families would also make sure to have special holiday food on hand for the occasion, like turon (banana fritters), puto bumbong (rice cakes), and halo-halo (an ice cream dessert).
In short, it was a time of family, friends, and good cheer celebrated by many Filipinos around the world.
The Christmas celebration in the Philippines is closely tied to Spanish colonization and Christianity. Spaniards brought their own traditions when they arrived in 1521, and Catholicism was eventually adopted as an official religion.
Christmas traditions in the Philippines today are much more festive. Most people go out shopping on December 23rd or 24th, depending on which day they celebrate Christmas.
Children receive gifts from their parents and godparents, and families gather together for a big meal. People exchange presents with each other, listen to carols sung by choirs or bands, and attend parties held at…
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