Christmas at the Araneta Center just got brighter, and here, it truly brings people together.
All roads lead to the Times Square Food Park tomorrow as Araneta Center lights up its iconic giant Christmas tree. The 37-year-old tradition is one of the most anticipated events in the country’s premier lifestyle hub, and is expected to bring as many as last year’s 10,000 people to the event.
Making this year’s celebration even grander are the celebrities who will headline the event. For the first time ever, Pop Star Royalty Sarah Geronimo will join the festivities and lead the tree lighting. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Sarah who has celebrated various milestones in her career at the Smart Araneta Coliseum including her sold-out anniversary This 15 Me concert last April.
Joining Sarah will be comedian and phenomenal box office star Vice Ganda, who is leading the tree lighting for the fifth straight year. Just like Sarah, Vice Ganda has staged successful concerts at the Big Dome including the Guinness World Record-clinching music fest of her cosmetic line last September.
The 100-foot giant Christmas tree is the centerpiece attraction in Araneta Center this Yuletide season. It features 3,000 LED bulbs and more than 1,500 assorted decors including giant balls, giant bells, lighted poinsettias and a seven-foot star topper.
Because of its enormity and the genuine Christmas cheer it evokes, the giant Christmas tree has appealed to people from all walks of life—from Araneta Center’s most loyal visitors to the millennials of the Instagram generation who snap pictures of their families and their friends with the tree serving as the background.
Providing additional star power to the festivities are total entertainer Darren Espanto, heartthrob McCoy de Leon, international phenoms TNT Boys, “Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2” grand champion Janine Berdin, love team partners Vivoree Esclito and CK Kieron, and The Kids’ Choice jurors Xia Vigor, Chunsa Jung, Onyok Pineda, Carlo Mendoza and Jayden Villegas. OPM band Mojofly rounds up the list of performers.
Binibining Pilipinas queens Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman and Miss Globe top 15 finalist Michele Gumabao will also grace the tree-lighting.
The show, which starts at 4:00 p.m., will be hosted by volleyball player-turned-anchor Gretchen Ho, theater actor Benj Manalo and comedian MC. Admission is free.
Aside from the giant Christmas tree, the Times Square Food Park will also serve as the home of the returning Christmas on Display, which will have its own festive and ceremonial launch on Nov. 23. With fun rides and a plethora of dining options, the Times Square Food Park has become one of the must-visit destinations in Araneta Center this Christmas.
For more updates, visit www.aranetacenter.net and follow Araneta Center’s social media pages: @AranetaCenter on Facebook and Twitter and @TheAranetaCenter on Instagram.
