What's On MNL: Metro Manila Film Festival 2025, 'Snow White,' & More
Christmas in Metro Manila wouldn’t be complete without cinema, culture, and a little holiday magic. This season, the Metro Manila Film Festival returns alongside ballets, festive light shows, outdoor experiences, and interactive attractions for all ages. From big-screen Filipino storytelling to holiday markets and stargazing nights, these events offer plenty of reasons to step out, slow down, and enjoy the city’s most festive moments.
Metro Manila Film Festival 2025
The Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 (MMFF) marks its 51st year with eight Filipino films, screening nationwide from Dec. 25, 2025, through early January 2026. A cornerstone of the Philippine holiday season, the festival continues its mission of championing local storytelling and spotlighting Filipino creativity on the big screen. The official selections include “Call Me Mother,” “Rekonek,” “Manila’s Finest,” “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” “I’mPerfect,” “Love You So Bad,” “UnMarry,” and “Bar Boys: After School.”
Snow White By Lisa Macuja Elizalde
Ballet Manila presents “Snow White,” choreographed by Lisa Macuja Elizalde, as part of its much-loved Holiday Cheer Series 2025, running from Dec. 25-29 at Aliw Theater. This year marks a milestone for the production with two alternating lead casts performing the principal roles for the first time. Real-life couple Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo bring natural chemistry to the stage, while Nanami Hasegawa and Romeo Peralta offer a fresh pairing that highlights themes of renewal and discovery.
Masungi Georeserve: Celestial Nights - A Christmas Special
Masungi Georeserve's “Celestial Nights” is back this holiday season, with special dates on Dec. 22, 23, 29, and 30, 2025, and Jan. 2, 2026. The experience includes a night hike and hot chocolate served with traditional holiday meriendas such as bibingka or puto-bumbong. Stargazing experts will guide guests through stories of the cosmos, constellations, and humanity’s place in the universe. The night concludes with a lantern-lit dinner featuring banana-wrapped meals.
Pokémon Holidays
Pokémon Holidays arrives in the Philippines, transforming SM North EDSA into a playful Pokémon destination from Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026. Young Trainers can participate in fun kiddie activities, while longtime fans can join Pokémon Trading Card Game tutorials and explore a Pokémon Legends: Z-A play area. There will also be Meet & Greet sessions with Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup. Visitors can also browse new licensed Pokémon collectibles, perfect for gifting or adding to personal collections.
Ayala Avenue - Christmas Lights 2025
The Ayala Avenue Christmas Lights return with a scaled-back yet thoughtfully reimagined design that blends heritage and creativity at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Visitors can also join “Paskong Likha,” a lineup of activities that expands the celebration beyond decorative lights. Additional highlights include an outdoor cinema screening from Dec. 26 to 28 in support of the Metro Manila Film Festival, followed by a New Year’s Eve countdown on Dec. 31.
SM Mall of Asia: We Wish You a MOA Christmas
SM Mall of Asia celebrates the season with “We Wish You a MOA Christmas,” a festive showcase of holiday lights, carols, fireworks, markets, and family-friendly attractions running until Jan. 9, 2026. Guests can enjoy Meet & Greet sessions with Santa Claus every Saturday until Dec. 25. Outdoors, the celebration lights up the night with the Grand Holiday Fireworks Spectacle every Saturday at 7 PM at SM By the Bay. Shoppers can also explore the MOA Christmas Market until Jan. 9, 2026.
Christy Ng Holiday Pop-Up
The Christy Ng Philippines Holiday Pop-Up is now open at SM North EDSA, The Block Level 2. Shop brand bestsellers, Christmas exclusives, and enjoy opening-day freebies and gift-with-purchase treats, while stocks last. The first 50 customers can receive a complimentary 2026 planner, pen, and a macaron with qualifying purchases. This pop-up offers a convenient stop for both last-minute Christmas shopping and post-holiday retail therapy.
SM North EDSA - Northern Star
SM North EDSA turns into a festive wonderland with "Northern Star," a large-scale holiday celebration running until Jan. 4, 2026. Guests can explore the towering World Tree, the Northern Star Portal visual walkthrough, and the Holiday Bazaar at The Block Atrium. Families can also enjoy a lineup of seasonal activities, including Santa Meet & Greet sessions and Fireworks Displays lighting up the sky. Select dates will also feature chorale performances that add to the holiday atmosphere.
Ayala Malls Manila Bay - Christmas At The Bay
Ayala Malls Manila Bay brings the holidays to life with "Christmas at the Bay," a grand celebration happening until Jan. 1, 2026, featuring dazzling lights, markets, and festive attractions. Enjoy Garden Lights, Holiday Nights with 3D LED shows and fireworks, plus Giftville’s weekend artisan market. Kids can visit Santa’s Nook and meet Santa on select dates, while live performers fill the mall with music all season. Simbang Gabi services also run until Dec. 23 at the mall's 2nd Floor, Building A.
Eastwood City - A Season of Light
Eastwood City’s "A Season of Light" fills the holiday season with Christmas in Color art sessions, Glow in Motion shows, soulful holiday tunes, interactive storytelling, and the uplifting Holiday Hopes Wall. Special attractions like the Christmas Paw‑rade for pets in costumes on Dec. 20-21 and Sparkling Skies fireworks every Saturday add extra magic to December nights. Visitors can also meet Santa at the Eastwood Christmas Village on Sundays and enjoy the night light show at the mall's Open Park.
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