10 Things To Do In Cebu During The Christmas Season

The Christmas season always brings out the best of Cebuanos. It is also the time when family and friends would spend some quality time together. We came up with a list of ten things you can do if you are in Cebu for the Christmas season. 

Attend Misa de Gallo

Misa de Gallo – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

One of the highlights of Christmas in the Philippines is the Misa de Gallo. The Misa de Gallo is a nine-day series of dawn masses celebrated in anticipation of Christmas. The practice started during the Spanish period when farmers needed to work before the crack of dawn to avoid the heat of the sun at noon. As a compromise, priests started celebrating masses early in the morning instead of the evenings. It is one of the cherished traditions of Filipinos who would wake up early just to attend Misa de Gallo, which starts on December 16 of each year. The masses of many of the churches in the Queen City of the South start at 4:30 AM. Since these churches are typically full, it is advisable to go to the church at least 30 minutes before the start of the mass if you want to find a seat inside the church. 

Visit The M Lhuillier Tree of Hope

M. Lhuillier Tree of Hope – image source: cebucity.gov.ph

Every year, Fuente Osmeña plays host to an important symbol for Christmas, the M. Lhuillier Tree of Hope. The Lhuillier Group of Companies started setting up the 125-foot Christmas tree inside the rotunda in 2000. It is a gift of the Cebuano company to the people of Cebu. It is the tallest tree in the city and has attracted residents and visitors to the Queen City of the South. Since it is located in the middle of the Fuente Osmeña rotunda, you should be careful when you cross the street. 

Have Fun At The Kasadya sa SRP

Kasadya sa SRP– image source: everythingcebu.com

Carnivals are a part of the life of Cebuanos. You can see them during town fiestas and other special occasions. In the Queen City of the South, a carnival also opens in the South Road Properties where family and friends can have fun while spending some quality time together. The Kasadya sa SRP first opened its doors to Cebuanos in 2012 and has become one of the things Cebuanos look forward to during the Christmas season. Aside from the different carnival rides, food stalls also open up at the Kasadya sa SRP. 

Shop At The Stalls Fronting Abellana School

Abellana Stalls – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

If you are looking for pasalubong items sold at a reasonable price, you can pass by the stalls in front of Abellana School along Osmeña Boulevard. These stalls sell just about anything, from clothing to shoes. You can also find some food items from different parts of the island and other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. One thing good about these stalls is that you can haggle with the vendors. If you are a good haggler, you can probably get the items at prices much lower than what you can find in the malls.

Watch The Symphony of Lights In Ayala Center Cebu

Symphony of Lights – image source: Ayala Center Cebu Facebook Page

For the third year in a row, Ayala Center Cebu is bringing smiles to the face of shoppers with the Symphony of Lights. Starting at 6:00 PM, shoppers are treated to a spectacle of lights dancing to the tune of well-loved Christmas songs. The Symphony of Lights brings the celebration of Christmas to a new level. Aside from brightening up the area with colorful Christmas lights, shoppers also get to experience Christmas every day until the third week of January. The Symphony of Lights at The Terraces starts at 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at 30-minute intervals. 

Adopt A Figurine At The SM Christmas Village of Hope

SM Christmas Village of Hope – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

Christmas is a time for giving and the Christmas Village of Hope​ at SM City Cebu gives shoppers the opportunity to make a difference in the life of children. The exhibit started off as a small collection of seven miniatures of Clayton and Joji Tugonon. It has grown into a full-blown village where people can adopt a figurine for the benefit of children with cancer. 

Check Out The Christmas Bazaars In The City

APM Mall – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​The Christmas season is normally the bazaar season in the Queen City of the South. Clothes, shoes, toys, and Christmas decorations are just some of the items you can find in these bazaars. There are even some bazaars offering proudly Cebuano-made furniture. Some of the Christmas bazaars you can check out are the Cebu International School Christmas Bazaar, Pop District Bazaar, and bazaars in the different malls in and around metro Cebu.

Have Your Picture Taken In Front Of Mall Christmas Trees 

Christmas Tree – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

Aside from the M. Lhuillier Tree of Hope in Fuente Osmeña, you can also have your picture taken in front of the Christmas trees on display in different malls in the city. This tradition of putting up a Christmas tree at home has been adopted by different malls in and around Cebu. One mall in the city holds an annual “Festival of Trees” where Christmas trees made of different materials are on display. 

Eat And Be Merry In Cebu’s Restaurants

Christmas Buffet in Cebu – image source: Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Facebook Page

The Christmas season is the time of the year when people would eat like there’s no tomorrow. During the season, people have the tendency to gain weight due to all the parties they attend. If you are spending Christmas in Cebu, you can also have the chance of eating and being merry in the different restaurants in Cebu. One of the highlights of these buffets is the world-renowned Cebu lechon. Among the places you can visit is the Feria Restaurant at Radisson Blu Cebu, Café Marco at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, and Manuel’s Restaurant at Cebu Parklane International Hotel. 

Watch Fireworks Lighting Up The Skies Of Cebu

Fireworks Display – image source: Dragon Fireworks Cebu Facebook Page

​Fireworks have always been a part of any celebration in Cebu. These awe-inspiring displays are typically seen lighting up the sky around the city during the Christmas season. You can check out this awesome light show at the major malls of Cebu. If you live in an elevated area, you may get the chance to see fireworks shooting up into the sky above some of the exclusive villages in the Queen City of the South.

These are just some of the things you can do if you plan to spend your Christmas season in Cebu.