Christmas Eve in the Philippines
When is Christmas Eve in Philippines?
Christmas Eve in Philippines is on December 24, 2024. It falls on Tuesday.
How many days until Christmas Eve in Philippines?
There are 35 Days left until Christmas Eve in the Philippines.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Philippines?
Christmas Eve is the day or evening before Christmas Day. Although Christmas Eve is not declared as a public holiday in the Philippines, it is widely observed in the country which takes place every 24th day of December based on the Gregorian Calendar. Both students and workers usually get their day off on this day in preparation for Christmas Day celebration. Majority of businesses, government offices, and other establishments are close too.
Origin of Christmas Eve
Just like most countries in the world, the Philippines also adopted the Gregorian calendar system. Considering that most Filipinos are Christians, Christmas is one of the most awaited religious commemorations in the country.
When did Filipinos started celebrating Christmas?
Most Christmas traditions in the Philippines started when the country was colonized by the Spanish Empire. They were the ones who converted the Filipinos to become Christians. Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards for 333 years and many customs are practiced by the Filipinos, including the Christmas traditions. One of these Christmas traditions is the Misa de Gallo or the Christmas Eve’s midnight mass. This was introduced by the Spaniards as a way of spreading Christianity. Some of the Christmas foods prepared on a Filipino table are also Spanish foods such as queso de bola, hamon, and many more.
Christmas Traditions in the Philippines
Noche Buena
Noche Buena is one of the Filipino Christmas Eve traditions that is widely practiced in the country. Noche Buena comes from the Spanish phrase ‘A good night’. During the midnight of Christmas Eve, Filipinos traditionally prepare a large feast to be eaten on Christmas Day. This is also served after ‘Misa de Gallo’, the Christmas Eve’s Midnight Mass. Some traditional Filipino foods served during the feast include roasted pig or lechon, keso de bola, hamon, lumpia, fried chicken, and spaghetti. For dessert, suman, bibingka, ice cream, Filipino style fruit salad, ice cream, cakes, pastries, and fruits like mangoes, grapes, bananas, and apples are usually prepared.
Lighting firecrackers
Even at daytime of December 24th, Filipinos start to light firecrackers. Kids would usually light them as a part of the holiday celebration, though they are guided by their parents or any adults. Some popular firecrackers in the Philippines are piccolo, mother rockets, pillbox, kwiton, goodbye Philippines, watusi, and many more. These firecrackers are at its loudest at night-time. More firecrackers are lighted, and fireworks lit up the sky, especially when the clock hits 12 a.m. on December 25th. Some of these firecrackers are currently prohibited in the country though.
Preparing gifts
In the Philippines, Christmas Eve is the best time to prepare gifts for godchildren. They would go to the mall for a last-minute Christmas shopping. People may wrap their gifts using Christmas wrappers, or just place it on Christmas paper bags. Some godparents would just give money to their godchildren using red envelopes. These gifts are called Aguinaldo which are handed out on Christmas Day.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | December 24 | Tuesday | Christmas Eve |
| 2025 | December 24 | Wednesday | Christmas Eve |
| 2026 | December 24 | Thursday | Christmas Eve |
| 2027 | December 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve |
| 2028 | December 24 | Sunday | Christmas Eve |
| 2029 | December 24 | Monday | Christmas Eve |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Bonifacio Day | November 30, 2024 |
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | December 08, 2024 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2024 |
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