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Christmas Guide
9 Cheery Spots in Metro Manila for Christmas Light Attractions
Celebrate Christmas with the family in these holiday spots in the city.
By: Patricia Marie Prado | November 17, 2017
Due to changing quarantine measures, the activities, destination/s, store/s, establishment/s featured in this article might be temporarily prohibited or closed under the latest government policies. LGUs might also implement health protocols and travel requirements. Please get in touch with the establishment/s before visiting. Stay safe!
(Image: Ethan John Heavensbee)
It’s no secret that Manila lights up during Christmas. Most establishments make the season more fun and festive by putting up their best holiday decorations. From lights to music, and gigantic statues, they pull out all the stops to give everyone beautiful sights to behold.
This Christmas Eve, instead of sitting at home waiting for midnight, why not visit a few Christmas spots in the metro? Below are some cool Christmas displays to take your family to this Christmas.
1. Ayala Triangle Gardens
The LED lights glow at Ayala Triangle Gardens. (Image: Make it Makati FB)
Ayala Triangle Gardens holds an annual Festival of Lights where hundreds of trees glow at night to the tune of festive music. A whopping 1.6 million light-emitting diode (LED) lights cover the garden, turning the stretch from Ayala Avenue to Makati Avenue into an eye-catching Christmas display.
The Festival of Lights will run until January 7, 2018. The gardens are open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with the light show playing every 30 minutes.
Directions: From EDSA, turn right at Gil Puyat Avenue. Take a left turn at Paseo de Roxas, and another left to Makati Avenue. Stay to the right until you see Ayala Triangle Gardens. Commuters can take the MRT 3 and get off at Ayala Station.
2. Rizal Park
Rizal Park is a favorite family destination. (Image: Ethan John Heavensbee)
For families living near Manila, the musical dancing fountain at Rizal Park is a go-to place for the holidays. When the fountain was renovated and reopened in 2010, it wowed sightseers with its pulsating geysers, peacock sprays, and laser lights dancing in the waters.
When going to the park, make sure to bring your own tent and seats. The place tends to get very crowded, so go early if you want to have a great view of the fountain.
Directions: From EDSA Taft, go straight towards C-4 then turn right towards Roxas Boulevard. Take the ramp onto Roxas Boulevard until you reach Rizal Park. You can also take the LRT 1 from the United Nations station.
3. Greenfield District
One can stroll around Greenfield while waiting for Noche Buena. (Image: Greenfield District)
Although Greenfield District is known for their weekend market, they also have their own holiday attraction. For Mandaluyong residents, the Christmas display at Greenfield is a sight to see.
This year, you can bring the family to their Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 25. You can also enjoy their 40-foot Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, or stroll around the grounds before heading home for Noche Buena.
Directions: From EDSA Shaw, turn right to Pavilion Square. You can also ride the MRT from the Shaw Boulevard Station.
4. Bonifacio Global City
The streets of Bonifacio Global City turns into a Christmas village for the holidays. (Image: Bonifacio Global City)
The business hub of Bonifacio Global City also lights up during Christmas. Come December, Bonifacio High Street Park becomes a Christmas village with larger-than-life lights and displays. Uptown Mall kicked off the season with their 50-foot bear sitting atop their building.
You and your family can head to Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater to enjoy the beautiful Christmas display. You can also munch on some snacks as there are plenty of stores around the area.
Directions: The Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater is located at Bonifacio High Street Central, between 5th and 7th Avenue.
5. Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong
The House of Light at Policarpio Street is a must-see in Mandaluyong. (Image: Zey Eleda)
Humble streets like Policarpio in Mandaluyong come alive for the holidays too. People visit the famous lane for its houses adorned with Christmas lights and humongous statues.
Make sure to visit the House of Light, a house covered with thousands of lights by their owners. You can also check out the House of Santa Claus, where the home owner displays her wide collection of Santa Claus statues.
Directions: From EDSA Bonifacio Avenue, go towards Maycilo Circle and continue to the other side of Bonifacio Avenue. Once you reach Primo Cruz, turn right until you see Policarpio Street.
6. Quezon Memorial Circle
The family can bond at Quezon Memorial Circle while waiting for Christmas Eve. (Image: Kenichiru Kurusu)
For Quezon City residents, a favorite place to go is Quezon Memorial Circle. Dubbed Circle by locals, attractions at the park include a dancing fountain and an amusement park called Circle of Fun. Circle is also used as a venue for Christmas bazaars.
At Circle, you can have a picnic at the park with the family before Noche Buena. You can also go boating and biking, among other activities.
Directions: From EDSA, turn right to East Avenue once you reach GMA Kamuning. Go straight until you reach Quezon Memorial Circle. You can also ride a bus going to SM Fairview and stop at Philippine Coconut Authority or PHILCOA, where you can walk towards Circle.
7. Marikina River Park
Enjoy some carnival fun before Christmas eve at Marikina River Park. (Image: Samantha Fandino)
One source of pride for Marikeños is the Marikina River Park. The nature park turns into a little Christmas town when their annual Christmas Festival begins. The park is adorned with bright lights, and dozens of bazaars set up shop around the area. Visitors can also enjoy carnival rides.
This year, Christmassaya at Riverbanks Center started last October 1, and will last until January 15, 2018.
Directions: From EDSA Cubao, go to the front side of Gateway Mall and ride the jeepneys with the sign board “SSS.” The jeep will pass by Marikina Riverbanks Center.
8. Meralco Liwanag Park
285 Shaw Boulevard Corner M. Yulo, HagdangBato, Mandaluyong City
Christmas is bright at the Meralco Liwanag Park. (Image: Janette Gayo)
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) building turns into a wonderful Christmas spectacle known as Liwanag Park every holiday season. Since 2011, Meralco has opened its doors to the public every December. People can enjoy and take photos of the hundreds of lights and displays in their office grounds. There are also food concessionaires at the park.
Entrance to Liwanag Park is free. Visitors need to bring an ID to get a pass.
Directions: From EDSA Ortigas, turn right at Robinson’s Galleria along Ortigas Avenue. You can also ride a jeepney with the sign board “Rosario” or “Jenny’s.”
9. Ortigas East Christmas Tunnel
The mesmerizing lights of Ortigas East Christmas Street Light Musical Tunnel (Imaage: Tiendesitas)
The newest Christmas attraction to check out is the Ortigas East Christmas Street Light Musical Tunnel. Located in Tiendesitas in Pasig, it opened last November 10 and will run until January 7, 2018. The light show runs from 6:00 PM 10:00 PM, and plays every 30 minutes. There will also be a Christmas display and Santa Claus meet-and-greet, and fireworks display.
Directions: From EDSA Ortigas, turn right to Robinson’s Galleria along Ortigas Ave. Go straight to Ortigas Avenue, then turn right at Frontera Drive. You can also ride a jeepney with a “Rosario” or “Jenny’s” sign board from Robinson’s Galleria.
Are you ready to take a road trip this coming Christmas Eve? Let us know on the comments section below which of these places you will visit!
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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