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7 Fun Things to Do in Iloilo City for Christmas Whether It’s Your First or Tenth Vacation

We bet you go more than once to spend your Christmas vacation in Iloilo!

By: Hyacinth Bangero | October 01, 2022
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things to do in Iloilo City, Christmas vacation in Iloilo, Iloilo vacations

You’ll never run of things to do in Iloilo, believe us!

Images: WaterWorld Iloilo (L); Festive Walk Iloilo (R) Facebook pages

The most awaited time of the year has come. Spending Christmas vacation in Iloilo is a good decision because there is so much that the city can offer. Iloilo abounds with shopping hubs, food districts, tourist attractions, picture-perfect resorts, nightlife destinations, and family-friendly places to see and experience. Below are some fun things to do in Iloilo City for the holidays.


1. Enjoy a holiday shopping spree.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, things to do in Iloilo City

Enjoy holiday shopping at some of Iloilo’s known shopping centers.

Image: Festive Walk Iloilo

Iloilo vacations would be more exciting when you shop. When in Iloilo, there are shopping centers that can satisfy your craving for spending. A wide array of options is in your hands. Imported goods can be bought at the S&R Membership Shopping outlet, where you can find my favorites, which can rarely found in local grocery shops. For one-stop shopping destinations, there are always malls like SM City Iloilo, Robinsons Place Iloilo, and CityMall.


2. Go on a food trip.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, Christmas vacation in Iloilo

Enjoy the view while dining at Iloilo Festive Walk.

Images: Iloilo Festive Walk

Having a taste of the great food of Iloilo is one of the many favorite activities in the City of Love. Gastronomic districts have become popular hangout places for both locals and tourists. At Iloilo Business Park, for example, there are homegrown restaurants like DoVa Brunch Cafe and Farm to Table. You need to go somewhere else if you get hungry after a long stroll by the Iloilo River Esplanade. Restaurants popular all over Western Visayas can be found there like Punot, Latte Coffee Cafe, and Ramboys Lechonan and Restaurant. Food spots offering local and international cuisine and fast food chains have set up shop at the Ayala development project in Iloilo.

On the other hand, seafood lovers can head to the Arevalo district, about 15 minutes from the city. A long stretch of seafood restaurants awaits diners by Villa Beach. Southpoint at SM City Iloilo and Plazuela de Iloilo also have seafood spots closer to the city.


3. Take a photo at Christmas spots.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, Iloilo vacations

The municipality of Pototan is dubbed the Christmas capital of Western Visayas.

Image: Discover Pototan Iloilo

The majority of the establishments in Iloilo turn magical at night. Most educational institutions make extra effort to decorate their buildings and surroundings, giving locals and tourists a beautiful background where they can pose for holiday selfies and groupies. One fun thing to do in Iloilo City is visiting the façade of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo National High School, Iloilo Provincial Capitol, White House in Quezon Street, Central Philippine University, and Angelicum School Iloilo.

Another sight is the festival of lights at Pototan, Iloilo, dubbed the Christmas Capital of Western Visayas. Bring your children and be ready to feel like a kid again when you see the place at night. Some locals made it a point to visit the Christmas village in Pototan every year.



4. Have fun with the family.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, Christmas vacation in Iloilo

Family and friends can splash away this Christmas at Waterworld Iloilo.

Image: WaterWorld Iloilo

This holiday season, grab the opportunity to bond with your family and friends. Iloilo has many family-friendly entertainment spots for family reunions and parties. If you have kids and teenagers, try bringing them to WaterWorld Iloilo, the first waterpark in the city.

The Play Hub by the Iloilo River Esplanade is for kids who like adventure games. You may also want to explore the newest destination, the City Time Square by the Diversion Road.


5. Party the night away.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, Iloilo vacations

Give yourself a break this Christmas break by joining a club party at Prism.

Image: Prism Nightlife Iloilo

Christmas vacation in Iloilo could also be your opportunity to catch up with yourself and the friends you’ve missed. The nightlife district of Smallville offers ideal venues to meet your friends. You may try visiting Angel A Resto Bar, and Lanai Grill and Sports Bar, among others. Aside from nightspots, one may also try visiting Freddy’s Bar & Grill, Bavaria Restaurant, and Brewery Gastropub.

Parties at night in Iloilo are worth experiencing. It is more about dancing than drinking.


6. Indulge in a staycation.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, things to do in Iloilo City

Keep cool this holiday season and dip into the pool at Richmonde Hotel.

Image: Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

What else is better than just staying in bed and doing nothing else? The City of Love can also provide comfort if you wish to chill out from all the stress from work and school. Cozy hotels like the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel, Richmonde Hotel, GT Hotel Jaro, and Punta Villa Resort can accommodate this yearning.

Rather than go somewhere else, some opted for a staycation and got a tan from the sun’s scorching heat.



7. Sing your heart out.



Things to do in Iloilo City – Christmas Vacation in Iloilo, Iloilo vacations

‘Tis the season to be happy by singing your heart away.

Images: Empire KTV (L); Streetside KTV (R)

Your Iloilo vacation would be more meaningful with friends and families. One way for families and friends to bond through music is through singing in a KTV room. With many KTV bars competing, prices have become more affordable for the consuming public these days. In Iloilo, there are many options like Empire KTV, Smallville 21 Hotel, Diversion 21 KTV and Resto, Highway 21 Hotel, and MO2 Annex Family KTV & Billards, among others.

This is one activity for you and your friends when you want to spend time together.


You and your favorite people won’t regret spending the best time of the year in Iloilo City. There is so much in store for locals and tourists in the City. Iloilo City has more to offer other than the old churches, La Paz batchoy, or pancit molo. See it for yourself this Christmas!


Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more exciting travel destinations in Iloilo this Christmas!


Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!


This article was initially published in Yoorekka on November 09, 2017.


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About Hyacinth Bangero
She is a young broadcast journalism professor and marketing officer of the University of San Agustin. She's a proud volunteer of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Hyacinth is geared to educate, experience, and explore.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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