Philippines: the world’s longest Christmas

The Philippines has the longest Yuletide season in the world. Pop-up shops selling all manner of festive decorations appear along major shopping streets, and carols can be heard in stores from as early as August. The official Christmas countdown starts on 1 September, and continues through the “Ber Months”, as they’re known – until the Feast of the Three Kings in early January. 

The nation is Asia’s largest Catholic country, and Filipinos take part in Simbang Gabi: a nine-day-long series of masses, which culminate in the Misa de Gallo mass on Christmas Eve. After the mass, they enjoy a feast known as Noche Buena: an open house celebration with family, friends and neighbours, who drop in to wish each other Merry Christmas. Food includes lechon (roasted pig) and coconut milk-laced bibingka (rice cakes). The most popular seasonal decorations are parols – colourful star-shaped lanterns that hang from bamboo poles, said to represent the star that guided the Wise Men to Jesus.