Christmas in the Philippines, The World's Longest Celebration Starts in September

In the Philippines, Christmas officially begins on September 1st. As soon as the month ends, Filipinos can see twinkling lights and Christmas carols playing in shopping malls.

Technically, Christmas in the Philippines lasts four months (September, October, November, and December) and four days. It officially ends in the first week of January of the following year to honor the Three Kings.

Why does Christmas come so early in the Philippines?

The majority of Filipinos are Catholic, so they view Christmas as a spiritual event. In the Philippines, Christmas is also a time for family gatherings, especially for those working abroad.

Starting Christmas in September means more time to spend with family. Furthermore, the long Christmas celebrations are also beneficial for businesses and shopkeepers. Furthermore, Filipinos treat Christmas not just as a holiday, but also as a season of love and togetherness.

During September and October, people will hear music, start planning decorations, and wander through malls looking for gifts. In addition to Christmas trees and lights, Filipinos also hang lanterns called parols. These lanterns are an important symbol of the Philippines, typically star-shaped and made of paper and bamboo.

Simbang Gabi

During the Simbang Gabi celebration, Filipinos wake up early to attend nine masses between December 16th and 24th, with the mass starting at midnight. Church bells are rung as early as 3 a.m. during this period.

During the celebration, Filipinos also enjoy traditional foods, which can be found at street vendors. As December approaches, there are fireworks displays almost every week, marking the end of the nine-day Simbang Gabi mass. The Simbang Gabi mass was introduced by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century.

The main celebration

The main celebration falls on December 25th, as in other countries. On Christmas Eve, there is a festive midnight feast called Noche Buena. The celebration concludes on the first Sunday in January, when Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, is celebrated. Epiphany celebrates the three wise men who traveled to see Jesus in the manger.