The extravagant holiday light displays we see today have come a long way since it has evolved from its origins in the 17th century. Before light bulbs were invented, people in Europe adorned their Christmas trees with small candles to symbolize hope and warmth amid the darkness. The practice was eventually scrapped for safety and practicality reasons, but this paved way for people to revolutionize this holiday tradition into something grander and more festive.
Holiday lights have become a major attraction in its own right. Different places across the world have transformed strings of stationary lights into a dynamic play of colors that can be orchestrated to sync with the music. Luckily in Metro Manila, we have plenty of them. Here are some places in and out of the metro where you can catch holiday light displays until January.
Enchanted Forest of Lights, Eastwood City, Quezon City
Stroll through Eastwood’s “mini-zoo” with their animal-themed light display. There are over 60 lighted animals sprawling across their complex. Before entering the zoo however, go on a quick around-the-world tour with lighted displays of some of world’s most famous skyscrapers.
The display runs until Jan. 13, 2019.
Meralco Liwanag Park, Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong
The facade of the Meralco building is adorned with thousands of tiny vibrant lights resembling a cityscape. The compound itself is brightened with streams of lights hanging around both artificial and real trees.
The park is open to the public until Jan. 6, 2019 with the following schedules: Monday-Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; weekends from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and public holidays from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Pixar Playtown, BGC, Taguig City
Apart from the 50-foot Christmas tree that they have on display, BGC also gives a nod to well-loved childhood films with a Pixar-themed spectacle, perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. Catch your favorite Pixar characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Lightning McQueen, and Nemo along the stretches of Bonifacio High Street.
Pixar Playtown runs until Jan. 7, 2019. A Disney motif light and sounds show also runs every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Festival of Lights, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City
You don’t need to travel far to feel the magic of Disneyland because the Festival of Lights is back with a nostalgic Disney theme this year. Apart from the giant Mickey-shaped structure, its sound and lights show features an orchestral rendition of Disney tracks from your childhood such as When You Wish Upon a Star and Beauty and the Beast.
The show runs every 30 minutes everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m until Jan. 8, 2019.
Grand Festival of Lights, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay
Now on its 10th year, SM Mall of Asia’s back with a grand holiday light parade featuring bright floats, coupled with over a hundred of Christmas characters and dancers, and a fireworks display, to boot.
The show runs at 5:30 p.m. at the North and South Arcades every Saturday until Christmas day. The fireworks display starts at 7 p.m.
Ayala Malls Night of Lights
Several Ayala Malls across the metro will have their own 3D mapping light show, an orchestrated projection of lights and moving pictures against a church backdrop. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. until closing hours.
Here are the schedules: Greenbelt on Dec. 7-9; Ayala Malls Solenad on Dec. 14-16; and Alabang Town Center on Dec. 21-23.
Spectrum Linear Park, Filinvest City, Alabang
People in the south are in for a treat as Filinvest transforms one of its green spaces into a Christmas wonderland with four themed attractions. The walkways are lit with bright and colorful arches, leading to a 40-foot Christmas tree with larger-than-life displays scattered around the area. You can also catch food bazaars and OPM acts if you happen to drop by on Saturdays.
Filinvest’s light displays will run until Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Magical Field of Lights, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa
If you’re further down south, Nuvali’s famous field of dancing lights also has a Disney theme going on this year. The vast field, which is composed of 5,000 tulip buds and a Mickey-shaped structure in the middle, frolics to your favorite Disney tracks, as well. The area is surrounded by a light tunnel and illuminated Christmas trees.
It runs until January 13, 2019, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Header image courtesy of Ayala Land, Inc.
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