When do Filipinos open presents? Simbang Gabi, Noche Buena and Santa

The ber months

In the Philippines Christmas begins when the months end in -ber. September to December are the ber months, and music and decorations can appear as early as August. Star-shaped lanterns called parols are the sign of the season; San Fernando in Pampanga is known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines for its parol-making and Giant Lantern Festival.

Simbang Gabi, 16 to 24 December

Simbang Gabi is a nine-day series of Masses held daily from 16 to 24 December, in 2026 Wednesday 16 to Thursday 24 December. The regular Masses are held in the small hours, about 2:30 to 5:00 a.m., and usually begin at 4:00. Evening anticipated Masses run from 15 to 23 December, often at 8:00 p.m. or later. It began in 1669 under Spanish rule, when priests set the Masses before dawn so farmers could attend before work.

The last Mass, on Christmas Eve, is the Misa de Gallo, the Rooster's Mass. A well-known belief says that if you complete all nine days, God may grant a wish made as part of the novena. Afterwards people buy bibingka and puto bumbong outside the church, often with hot chocolate or ginger tea.

Noche Buena and the presents

Noche Buena is the midnight feast on Christmas Eve, held after the final Mass. Common dishes include lechon, hamon, queso de bola, pancit and pandesal. Some families open presents during or after the meal, and others wait for Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026. It differs from home to home; there is no national rule.

Gifts do not stop with the children. Godparents give aguinaldo to godchildren during family visits, and Monito-Monita draws names for a gift exchange where the givers are revealed at a party.

Holidays and the end of the season

Proclamation No. 1006, signed on 3 September 2025, sets the 2026 holidays. Thursday 24 December is an additional special non-working day. Christmas Day, Friday 25 December, is a regular holiday, and so is Rizal Day, Wednesday 30 December. Thursday 31 December, the last day of the year, is a special non-working day. Tuesday 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is one as well.

Three Kings' Day falls on the Sunday between 2 and 8 January, in 2027 Sunday 3 January, and officially closes the Christmas season.

Simbang Gabi and holidays 2026/27

The dates of the Filipino Christmas, with weekdays.

Sun 29 Nov, 6, 13, 20 Dec

The four Advent Sundays.

Tue 15 Dec

Evening anticipated Simbang Gabi begins (often 8 p.m.).

Wed 16 Dec

First dawn Mass of Simbang Gabi.

Thu 24 Dec

Misa de Gallo and Noche Buena. Additional special non-working day.

Fri 25 Dec

Christmas Day, regular holiday.

Wed 30 Dec

Rizal Day, regular holiday.

Thu 31 Dec

Last day of the year, special non-working day.

Sun 3 Jan

Three Kings' Day, end of the season.

Holidays from Proclamation No. 1006 (2025). Read 28 October 2026.

Lawphil: Proclamation No. 1006, 2025 · Wikipedia: Simbang Gabi

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December 24

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