Christmas in
Philippines
Celebrated: September 1 through January 9 (the world's longest Christmas season)
Signature traditions
- 1.The Christmas season starts on September 1 — the moment any 'ber' month begins, decorations and music appear
- 2.Simbang Gabi — nine consecutive dawn Masses from December 16 to 24, attended faithfully even in the dark
- 3.Hanging a parol (a star-shaped bamboo lantern) in every home
- 4.Noche Buena — a midnight feast on Christmas Eve
- 5.Children visiting godparents to receive aguinaldo (gift money) on Christmas Day
What's on the table
Lechon, bibingka, and puto bumbong
Noche Buena features lechon (whole roasted pig), pancit (long noodles for long life), and queso de bola (a wax-covered Edam cheese). After Simbang Gabi mass, vendors sell bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (purple sticky-rice tubes) outside churches.
The iconic decoration
The parol
The parol is a five-pointed star lantern, traditionally made from bamboo and Japanese paper, lit from within. It represents the Star of Bethlehem and hangs on nearly every Filipino home throughout the season.
How gifts are given
Children visit their godparents (ninong and ninang) on Christmas Day or shortly after, receiving aguinaldo (gift money in envelopes). Santa Claus delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve in many families.
Did you know?
The Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world. Christmas songs start playing in stores on September 1, when the first 'ber' month (September, October, November, December) arrives — that's roughly four months of Christmas, a third of the year.