# New Year's Eve in Manila 2026: Countdowns, Fireworks and Where to Be at Midnight

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Published: 2026-10-09

*Mall of Asia over the bay, NYE at the 5th in BGC, the Ayala Avenue street party, Eastwood and Quezon Memorial Circle. What each did last year, what is known for 31 December 2026, and how to get home once the trains stop.*

New Year's Eve falls on a Thursday this year, so the countdown runs from Thursday 31 December 2026 into Friday 1 January 2027. Under the government's holiday proclamations, 30 December (Rizal Day) and 1 January are regular holidays and 31 December is a special non-working day, so for many people the break runs from Wednesday to Sunday. As of 9 October, none of the big Metro Manila countdowns had announced a line-up, a start time or a ticket price for this year. What follows is what each one did last New Year's Eve, on 31 December 2025, so you can choose where to be and plan the night around it. We will update this guide as organisers confirm their 2026 plans.

## SM Mall of Asia: fireworks over Manila Bay

The **NYE Kapuso Countdown** on Seaside Boulevard in Pasay is the big bayside party. Last year SM Mall of Asia and GMA Network ran Kapuso stars on stage from 10PM, with the K-pop group AHOF headlining, and the MOA Grand Fireworks Display went off at exactly midnight over the bay. SM said afterwards that more than 250,000 people came, with some lining up from the morning.

- **Last year:** Wednesday 31 December 2025, performances from 10PM, fireworks at 12MN.
- **Where:** Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay.
- **This year:** no line-up or schedule yet. Watch SM Supermalls and GMA Network for the announcement.
- **Good to know:** the Veranda restaurants stayed open until midnight last year, which made a booked table there the most comfortable way to see the fireworks.

## BGC: NYE at the 5th

**NYE at the 5th** fills 5th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, with a main stage and a crowd that the event's sponsor, Pru Life UK, puts at more than 134,000 a year. Last year it started at 7PM, SB19 closed the night after Parokya ni Edgar, Apl.de.Ap, KZ Tandingan and others, and midnight came with a dual-zone fireworks display. Screens along Bonifacio High Street and High Street South showed the stage for people who wanted more room, including families and older guests.

- **Last year:** Wednesday 31 December 2025, from 7PM.
- **Where:** 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
- **This year:** nothing announced yet.
- **Getting there:** 5th Avenue is closed to cars around the event. In 2022 it shut from midnight on 29 December until 4PM on 1 January, and drivers were sent to 3rd and 9th Avenue. We found no closure notice for last year, so check Taguig's advisory in late December.

## Makati: the Ayala Avenue countdown

**Makati in Full Color: Ayala Avenue New Year's Eve Countdown to 2026** was the city's street party last year, organised by Ayala Land, the Makati city government and Make It Makati at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue, beside Ayala Triangle Gardens. Ely Buendia and Cup of Joe headlined, and midnight brought fireworks over the skyline with a Filipino take on the ball drop. A street party with DJ Cupcakes followed, then an after-party at Ayala Triangle Gardens. This is the closest of the big countdowns if you live in Salcedo, Legazpi, Rockwell or Poblacion.

- **Last year:** Wednesday 31 December 2025, from 6PM, with the street party and after-party running past midnight.
- **Tickets:** the street was open to the public, with VIP tickets sold on TicketWorld that included a lounge and a buffet dinner.
- **Road closures last year:** Ayala Avenue from V. A. Rufino Street to Fonda Street, Makati Avenue from Dela Rosa Street to Santo Tomas Street and Paseo de Roxas from Ayala Avenue to Villar Street were closed from 31 December to 2 January, with smaller closures from 27 December.
- **This year:** not yet announced. Follow Make It Makati on Facebook.

## Quezon City: Eastwood and Quezon Memorial Circle

**Eastwood City** in Libis holds its own countdown every year. Last year Rico Blanco, Klarisse de Guzman and Maki played Eastwood Mall Open Park from 8PM, and midnight was marked with Eastwood's star drop and fireworks.

The city government's own **Quezon City Countdown** at Quezon Memorial Circle started at 4PM last year with Kamikazee, Gloc-9, The Itchyworms and Lola Amour among a long bill. The city's announcement said "LIBRE ang admission", and the night ended with fireworks over the Circle. Neither has announced its 2026 plans.

## The bay resorts: Okada Manila

**Okada Manila** in Parañaque spreads its countdown across the resort. Last year Gary Valenciano headlined a ticketed concert at Cove Manila, for guests aged 18 and over, with doors at 8PM. Outside, The Fountain had live music leading to a countdown and the resort's fireworks, and The Garden was set up as a public viewing area for up to 1,200 people. The Coral Lounge countdown was for guests 21 and over. Nearby, Newport World Resorts held The Grand Countdown to 2026 in the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom. Neither resort has announced this year's plans.

## Hotel dinners and rooftops: how to book

Last year, hotel New Year's Eve packages were already being listed by late November, and the good tables go early, especially rooftops with a view of the fireworks in Makati and BGC. When a package is announced, check three things before you pay: whether the price is nett or plus service charge and tax, what time the drinks stop, and whether you can see fireworks from your table or only from a terrace. Ask about the cancellation policy too, and whether the deposit is refundable.

## Getting home after midnight

**Do not count on the trains.** Last New Year's Eve the rail lines closed early. The last LRT-1 train left Fernando Poe Jr. Station at 7:15PM and Dr. Santos Station at 7PM. On LRT-2 the last train from Recto left at 7:30PM, and the last MRT-3 train from Taft Avenue left at 8:23PM. Last year these schedules were announced between 18 and 29 December, so check again then.

**Plan the ride before you go.** Ride-hailing apps get very hard to book when big crowds leave at the same time. Agree on a pick-up point a few streets away from the venue, or stay within walking distance of home. If you are going to Mall of Asia or Okada from Makati or BGC, a hotel night nearby saves the trip back.

## Firecrackers and staying safe

Under Executive Order No. 28, signed in 2017, the use of firecrackers is confined to community fireworks displays. Cities add their own rules. Quezon City, for example, bans fireworks and firecrackers on private property, residential or not, and allows displays only in designated areas with permits from its Department of Public Order and Safety and the Bureau of Fire Protection. Check your own city's advisory in late December.

In the big crowds, keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket, choose a meeting point in case your group gets separated, and bring water, since the large countdowns start hours before midnight.

_All event details above are from 31 December 2025 unless stated. As of 9 October 2026, no 2026 details had been announced for any of these countdowns. Nobody paid to be included._