Interesting how a few million light bulbs, strings of holiday trimmings, towering trees that sparkle in the right places, and a medley of Yuletide songs make Christmas a magical time.
More than just an occasion, Christmas has become a destination of twinkling lights that gathers loved ones together. Families make a day to go to the brightest and most dazzling displays. Friends meet up and take hundreds of groupies with the most colorful decorations.
If Oxford Street in London has LED curtains of lights, the Rockefeller Center in New York has a 77-foot Norway spruce, and Nice in France has a Village de Noël, we have Ayala Triangle lights and sound show (“Dazzling dancing lights” published on Nov. 17), an animated Christmas display in Cubao (“Araneta City Christmas COD features classic stories” published on Nov. 23), a laser light symphony in Greenhills, and more.
Gift of Wonders at Tiendesitas
Bigger-than-life installations and enchanting interactive visuals, perfect as a background for those many holiday photos, await at the Gift of Wonders in Tiendesitas Food and Pet Village.
Colorful displays highlight the borderless beauty of the season.
The House of Stars is an immersive installation with vibrant colors and dancing lights that capture the light and warmth of a Filipino Christmas. Meanwhile, the animated installation Pets Unleashed highlights the grandeur of the planet through the eyes of various animals.
After a few snaps, guests may check out the Christmas Bazaar every weekend or watch the Bughaw Folkloric Dance Group on all Sundays of December from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m on the 2nd level of the Food Village.
Kids can share with Santa their wishes every Saturday of December on the 1st level of the Food Village, from 6:00 p.m. onwards. While pets have their own Pets Christmas Paw-ty on Dec. 14 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Magical Christmas Village at Filinvest City
Life-sized Christmas installations and a towering 42-foot tree transform the Water Garden at Festival Mall into a magical holiday village.
Residents of the CBD in Alabang others from the south will be treated to fireworks display and musical performances by local musicians such as I Belong To The Zoo, Unique, This Band, Leanne and Naara, and Silent Sanctuary every Saturday.
Come Sunday, Santa will be at the Magical Christmas Village to meet kids who want to share their Christmas wishes or pose for photos with him.
Laser light symphony at Greenhills
This holiday season is special for the San Juan shopping center Greenhills as it launches its Laser Light Symphony.
The first of its kind in the Philippines, this brilliant—quite literally—show, staged in collaboration with Smart, features two expert laser dancers showcasing their talents with the play of laser lights.
The admission-free laser show, which started on Nov. 15, runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until Jan. 5, 2020 at the G-Strip Parking Area.
The Laser Light Symphony provides a bright and colorful accompaniment to the Christmas Night Market at the same venue. Shoppers looking for more items may also check out the Wonderland Bazaar at the VMall Lobby and the Holiday Tiangge Fair at the Center Mall, both open until 10:00 p.m.
Kids and kids-at-heart who want to meet Santa must block their calendars as St. Nick will be at VMall on Greenhills’ Giant Santa Chair waiting for guests every Saturday. Further, Simbang Gabi Masses will be held nightly from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23 at the Chapel of the Holy Family.
Christmas Toy Town at Eastwood
Megaworld’s premier township in Quezon City has transformed into a huge playground with larger-than-life toys, gift boxes, and more decorations.
Adorned with boxes of gifts and toys, Eastwood City’s giant Christmas tree embodies the essence of giving and receiving presents, hence, in addition to the colorful decorations, the township has also launched a toy donation drive.
Proceeds will be given to Kythe Foundation, a non-profit, non-stock organization that aims to improve the quality of life of children hospitalized with cancer and other chronic illness.
More fun events await guests at Eastwood. Among the fairs, big events, and activities include Amplified Artist Search, Gaddiel Christmas Decors Pop-up, Warner Pop Expo, Eraserheads Vinyl Launch, Barbie 60th Anniversary Life-sized Dreamhouse, Pink Fong’s Baby Shark Meet and Greet, and Oh Wonder LIVE performance.
There's also the Christmas Village at Citywalk and the Christmas Fair at Central Plaza. Some of the hottest music artists in the country will perform at the weekly Christmas Music Series, and Santa Claus is present for meet and greet this December.