Christmas with Kids in Manila 2026: Santa, The Nutcracker and Family Shows

The 2026 family calendar, in order

• Tuesday 20 October: SM Aura tree lighting, BGC, 2PM
• Wednesday 21 October: SM Mall of Asia centrepiece unveiling, Pasay, 2:30PM
• Friday 23 October: SM City North EDSA tree lighting, Quezon City, 4PM
• Sunday 25 October: SM City Fairview tree lighting, 6PM, and Ever Commonwealth tree lighting with fireworks, 6PM, both in Quezon City
• Friday 6 November: Araneta City Giant Christmas Tree Lighting, Cubao (venue calendar)
• Friday 13 November: Araneta City Belen Lighting, Cubao (venue calendar)
• Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December: The Nutcracker by Ballet Philippines, Solaire
• Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December: The Nutcracker by Ballet Manila and Steps Dance Studio, Circuit Makati
• Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December: Christmas Toys and Collectibles Fair, SM Megamall
• Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December: The Nutcracker by the Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre, Newport

Santa visits

SM says each of its 2026 tree lighting launches has performances, Santa Claus and a countdown. Its "12 Weeks of Iconic Christmas" campaign across its malls also names Santa Meet and Greets as a highlight, but SM has not given dates or times for them yet. SM does not say these events are free.

Best for: a first look at Santa without booking anything.

• When: SM Aura Tuesday 20 October, 2PM; SM Mall of Asia Wednesday 21 October, 2:30PM; SM City North EDSA Friday 23 October, 4PM; SM City Fairview Sunday 25 October, 6PM
• Where: Upper Ground Atrium (SM Aura); Central Atrium (MOA); The Block Atrium (North EDSA, where the display is called Bear Park); Mini Atrium (Fairview)
• Entry: not stated by SM
• How to get there: SM City North EDSA is near the North Avenue station of the MRT-3 (Metro Rail Transit Line 3). MOA and SM Aura are easiest by car or ride-hail.

Last year, for comparison:

• SM Mall of Asia had Santa meet and greets every Saturday at 4PM in the Central Atrium from 8 November to Christmas Day 2025, carols on 16 and 30 November and 14 December at 5PM, and fireworks every Saturday at 7PM at SM By the Bay.
• Glorietta in Makati had Santa at the Glorietta Activity Center on all December weekends.
• Rockwell had Santa and Rocky the Panda lead the countdown at its tree lighting on 3 November 2025, with fireworks after.
• MOA Night of Lights opened each of its four Sunday nights with a 15-minute show with Santa in the Central Atrium at 6PM, then a drone show at 7PM. SM said admission was free.

The Nutcracker 2026: three productions

Three companies stage The Nutcracker in Metro Manila this December. The matinees are the easiest with small kids.

The Nutcracker by Ballet Philippines runs at The Theatre at Solaire.

Best for: families in the south or near the bay.

• When: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December. Show times not posted yet.
• Where: The Theatre at Solaire, Entertainment City, Parañaque
• Entry: prices not posted. Tickets through a Google Form on ballet.ph.
• How to get there: Solaire has its own car park. Allow an hour from Makati or BGC on a weekend.

The Nutcracker by Ballet Manila and Steps Dance Studio is the first time this ballet is staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Best for: families in Makati, Rockwell and BGC.

• When: Friday 11 December, 7:30PM; Saturday 12 December, 2PM and 7:30PM; Sunday 13 December, 2PM (times as listed by Theater Fans Manila)
• Where: Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati
• Entry: tickets on TicketWorld; check prices there
• How to get there: Ayala Malls Circuit, next to the theatre, has its own car park. A ride-hail from Rockwell or Poblacion is short outside rush hour.

The Nutcracker by the Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre has three shows only, presented by Aurum Entertainment, with recorded music by the Hermitage Orchestra. The minimum age is 3, and every child needs their own ticket.

Best for: a Saturday matinee with young children, the week before Christmas.

• When: Friday 18 December, 8PM; Saturday 19 December, 2PM and 7PM
• Where: Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay
• Entry: tickets only on Megatix. The promoter says tickets bought from resellers or third-party sites will not be admitted. Prices not confirmed by us yet.
• How to get there: Newport World Resorts is across from NAIA Terminal 3, with its own car park.

Disney and Pixar at Okada Manila

Okada Manila says it is working with Disney Philippines on Disney and Pixar themed dining, retail pop-ups and family experiences, rolling out in the fourth quarter of 2026, "with more details to come". Okada calls its holiday season "Party with the Magic" and says it starts in November 2026.

Best for: children who love Disney and Pixar films.

• When: from November 2026; exact dates not posted
• Where: Okada Manila, Entertainment City, Parañaque
• Entry: prices not posted
• How to get there: allow at least an hour from Makati or BGC on a Friday evening.

Last year Okada lit its tree in the Fountain Foyer on 14 November 2025, and its Christmas Carnival ran from 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

Kids shows and workshops

No mall, hotel or theatre company has posted a 2026 Christmas workshop or children's musical for kids that we could confirm. We will add them here as they come out. What ran last year gives a good idea of what to watch for:

• One Ayala in Makati opened "Tales of the Season: Inside The Nutcracker" on 14 November 2025 on the Level 2 Concourse, with Hiraya Dance Company, and ran a 3D lights show on 29 November and 13, 16 and 20 December 2025.
• Greenbelt had "Christmas Melodies" on all December weekends in 2025.
• Quezon City ran a 15-minute animated Christmas show last season at QC Hall and Novaliches Park every 30 minutes from 5:30PM on weekdays.

For toy shopping, the 19th Christmas Toys and Collectibles Fair by TOYCON Philippines runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December at Megatrade Halls 1 to 3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong. Hours and ticket price are not posted yet.

Kid-friendly Christmas villages

Christmas villages are the outings where children can walk around, look and run a little. Only Araneta has a 2026 date so far.

Araneta City in Cubao: the Araneta Group's events calendar lists the Giant Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday 6 November and the Belen (nativity scene) Lighting on Friday 13 November 2026, with no times. Araneta City has not announced them publicly yet.

• Best for: families in the east and north
• How to get there: the Araneta Center Cubao stations of the MRT-3 and the LRT-2 (Light Rail Transit Line 2) both stop at Araneta City.

Quezon Memorial Circle: the city says it "is free for all" and open daily 5AM to 10PM. Last season it had the Pylon in lights, wooden displays made from repurposed materials and a 30-foot tree. 2026 plans not posted.

BGC, 5th Avenue: last year a candy-themed tree stood behind a "Dream Gate" with a gingerbread village around it, across from Bonifacio High Street Central. 2026 not announced.

Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Parañaque: last year "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights" opened on 29 November 2025, with a light show every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday until 27 December, 6:30PM to 10PM, fireworks every Sunday, and the Giftville Christmas village open daily until 18 January 2026. 2026 not announced.

Tips for going with children

• Pick a matinee. For the ballets, the 2PM shows end before dinner and bedtime.
• Arrive before the countdown. Lighting nights fill up fast, and small children see more from the front.
• Agree on a meeting point. Malls are crowded in December. Show your child where to go if you get separated, such as the information counter.
• Plan the ride home. Ride-hail is harder to book in December. Leave before the end of a fireworks show to miss the rush.

Questions people ask

Where can my kids meet Santa in Manila this Christmas? SM says Santa Claus appears at its tree lighting launches, including SM Aura on 20 October, MOA on 21 October, North EDSA on 23 October and Fairview on 25 October. Other 2026 Santa dates have not been posted.

When is The Nutcracker in Manila in 2026? Ballet Philippines at The Theatre at Solaire and Ballet Manila at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater both run from 11 to 13 December. The Saint Petersburg National Ballet Theatre plays Newport on 18 and 19 December.

Which Nutcracker is best for young children? The Saint Petersburg production is listed for ages 3 and up, and its Saturday 19 December show is at 2PM. Ballet Manila also has 2PM shows on 12 and 13 December.

Is Okada Manila doing a Disney Christmas? Yes. Okada Manila says its Disney and Pixar themed dining, pop-ups and family experiences start in November 2026, but dates and prices are not out yet.

Are there free Christmas activities for kids in Manila? Quezon City says Quezon Memorial Circle "is free for all". Last year SM said admission to the MOA Night of Lights was free, but it has not given 2026 dates.

We list 2026 dates only where the organiser, venue or ticket seller has published them as of 19 October 2026. Everything marked "last year" refers to 2025. Nobody paid to be included.