Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas celebration in the world. You know it’s Christmas when radio stations start to play Christmas songs (sometimes with epiphone sg guitar accompaniment) as early as September 1. In the Christian tradition, Christmas celebration ends in the first week of January which is the Epiphany or the visit of the Magi (Three Kings) to the infant Jesus in Bethlemen.

Some Christmas traditions and festivities are also observed differently from one region to another. The most popular of which is MISA DE GALLO.

Observed nationwide from December 16 to 24

Misa de Gallo is a Filipino yuletide tradition that starts on the 16th of December and culminates in a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Roman Catholics attend the daily mass at three or four in the morning. Upon exiting the church, the hungry is enticed by the sight and smell of puto bumbong and bibingka (native delicacies made of sticky and glutinous rice sold nearby). – Dep’t of Tourism

Check out the full list of Christmas Festivities here: