Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Batangas City
On November 28, 2025 Batangas City lit Plaza Mabini, City Hall and three bridges, with about 500 day care children getting gifts. Earlier seasons brought a 45-foot tree, a Christmas village and a 68-foot Capitol tree arch nearby.
Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November
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The story of Christmas in Batangas City
A 30-foot tree and a Christmas village at Plaza Mabini in 2017
Batangas City opens its Christmas season at Plaza Mabini and City Hall. On December 1, 2017 a band played at 5 p.m. and the lights came on at 6 p.m. The tree was about 30 feet tall and more than 10 years old. New that year were a Christmas village and angel figures on the City Hall balcony. In 2019 the kick-off lit a 45-foot white tree, a giant lantern and a belen, with a sublian-inspired plaza design.
500 children and a puppeteer on November 28, 2025
The 2025 kick-off was on November 28 at Plaza Mabini and in front of City Hall. Mayor Marvey Mariño and Congresswoman Beverley Dimacuha led the lighting. A ventriloquist puppeteer and the No Bone Kids Happy Acrobats performed. About 500 day care children received gifts and about 700 people got free snacks. Lights also went up at the Coliseum, the markets, Rizal Avenue and three bridges, and stayed up until January 16, 2026.
300 toddlers in character costumes and a 68-foot Capitol tree
In 2019 over 300 day care children paraded in character costumes, and the city picked its top 25 costumes. The theme was that Batangas City is the happiest place for Christmas. Up the road, the provincial Capitol lit a 68-foot tree arch on December 18, 2023, with over 6,000 bulbs and lights synced to music. In December 2022 Plaza Mabini ran nightly Simbang Gabi shows from December 15 to 23.
Traditions today
- Plaza Mabini kick-off: The city lights Plaza Mabini and City Hall each year. The 2025 kick-off was on November 28.
- Children's gifts and costumes: The 2019 kick-off had over 300 costumed day care children and gifts from Santa. In 2025 about 500 day care children received gifts.
- Simbang Gabi shows: In December 2022 the Plaza Mabini amphitheater hosted nightly local acts from December 15 to 23, at 5:30 p.m.
- Lights until Santo Niño: The city said the 2025 decorations would stay up until the feast of the Santo Niño on January 16, 2026.
- Belen and parol displays: The 2019 kick-off lit a belen and a giant lantern at Plaza Mabini, and lanterns hung at city bridges and landmarks.
- Capitol tree and fireworks: The provincial Capitol lit a 68-foot tree arch in 2023 and held a month-long celebration that opened with fireworks.
A fact for kids
In 2019 over 300 day care children paraded in character costumes at Batangas City's Christmas kick-off!
Questions about Christmas in Batangas City
When is the Batangas City Christmas kick-off in 2026?
No 2026 date is confirmed yet. The 2025 kick-off was on November 28 at Plaza Mabini and in front of City Hall. Rally Takes the Train's Batangas Christmas events guide lists family events once the host confirms a 2026 date.
Where does Batangas City switch on its Christmas lights?
The lighting centers on Plaza Mabini and City Hall. In 2025 decorations were also lit at the Batangas City Coliseum, the Convention Center, the old and new public markets, P. Burgos and Rizal Avenues, and three bridges, including the EBD Bridge of Progress.
What happened at the Batangas City Christmas kick-off in 2025?
Mayor Marvey Mariño and Congresswoman Beverley Dimacuha led the simultaneous lighting on November 28, 2025. A ventriloquist puppeteer and the No Bone Kids Happy Acrobats performed. About 500 day care children got gifts and about 700 people got free snacks.
How long do the Batangas City Christmas lights stay up?
In 2025 the city said its decorations would stay up until the feast of the Santo Niño on January 16, 2026. That means families could see the lights well after Christmas Day. The 2026 end date has not been announced.
Besides the Plaza Mabini lights, what can kids see at Christmas in Batangas City?
Past seasons had a children's costume parade, Santa handing out gifts, mascot shows and a belen display at Plaza Mabini. The Capitol also had a big tree and a nativity scene in 2023. No 2026 dates are confirmed yet. The dates for those shows have changed every season.
What was the children's parade at the 2019 Batangas City kick-off?
Before the November 21, 2019 switch-on, over 300 day care children paraded in costumes of well-known characters. The city picked its top 25 Christmas costumes. Santa Claus, the mayor and the congressman handed out gifts, and Jollibee and McDonald's mascots performed.
How tall is the Christmas tree at Plaza Mabini?
It depends on the year. The tree was about 30 feet tall and more than 10 years old in 2017, and a 45-foot white tree was lit in 2019. The 2025 report did not mention a tree, so no 2026 height is known.
What is the Simbang Gabi show at Plaza Mabini?
In December 2022 the amphitheater at Plaza Mabini hosted nightly shows by local students and bands from December 15 to 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The hour left room for the second Simbang Gabi mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 2026 shows are not confirmed.
Was there a Christmas market at Plaza Mabini, like the Magkatuwang Tayo Farmer's Market?
In December 2022 the Magkatuwang Tayo Farmer's Market at Plaza Mabini had 31 food stalls selling kakanin, finger food and ice cream, and it stayed open through the city fiesta in January. It was a farmer's market, and 2026 plans are not announced.
Where can families spend Christmas Day in Batangas City?
The city's reports list no Christmas Day program. Plaza Mabini and City Hall are decorated through January 16, so the lights should still be up. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception holds the Simbang Gabi masses before Christmas. No Christmas Day event is confirmed for 2026.
What is the Batangas Capitol Christmas display?
The Provincial Capitol lit a 68-foot tree arch on December 18, 2023, with a nativity scene, video projection and over 6,000 twinkling bulbs. The lights sync to music, and the facade changes color. It is a provincial display, not a city one.
What is Paskong Batangueño sa Kapitolyo?
It was a month-long Christmas celebration at the Batangas Provincial Capitol that opened on November 25, 2023 with a tree lighting, fireworks, a belen and a Provincial Children's Month program. Admission was free. That was in 2023, so check for 2026 plans.
Where is the Capitol Christmas display in Batangas?
The 2023 display was at the entrance of the Batangas Capitol, and the Paskong Batangueño celebration used the Regina R. Mandanas Memorial DREAM Zone in the Capitol Compound. No 2026 location or date is confirmed yet. Check the provincial tourism office for 2026 plans.
Who lit the Batangas City Christmas lights in 2018?
Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha led a switch-on on December 4, 2018, along P. Burgos Street, Plaza Mabini and City Hall. A cultural program followed at the Plaza Mabini Amphitheater with the Dangal ng Lungsod ng Batangas Chorale and a school orchestra.
What was new at the 2017 Batangas City kick-off?
On December 1, 2017 a band played at 5 p.m. and the lights came on at 6 p.m. New that year were a Christmas village at Plaza Mabini and angel figures on the City Hall balcony. The Calamba City Band played the Christmas songs.
Is the Batangas City Christmas kick-off free?
The city reports describe the kick-off as an open event at Plaza Mabini, with free snacks for about 700 people in 2025. No entrance fee is mentioned in the reports. Check the city government for 2026 details before you go.
What parol and belen displays does Batangas City have?
The 2019 kick-off lit a giant lantern and a belen at Plaza Mabini, with a sublian-inspired design in vinyl by Pampanga artist Jude Aldana. Lanterns also hung at the EBD Bridge of Progress, the Sports Coliseum and Lumang Palengke. These are 2019 displays, so the 2026 designs may differ.
What Christmas shows have kids watched in Batangas City?
In 2025 children saw a ventriloquist puppeteer and the No Bone Kids Happy Acrobats at the kick-off. In 2019 they saw McDonald's and Jollibee mascots, and the Dangal ng Lungsod Chorale sang. Shows change each year. None of these acts is confirmed for 2026.
Where can I find Batangas City Christmas events for kids in 2026?
Use Rally Takes the Train's Batangas Christmas events guide. It adds family events only after the host confirms the 2026 date. No 2026 Batangas City events are confirmed yet, and past kick-offs fell between late November and early December. Check the city government's page too.
What time do Batangas City Christmas lighting ceremonies start?
Times vary. In 2017 a band played at 5 p.m. and the lights came on at 6 p.m. In 2022 the Simbang Gabi shows ran 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The 2025 report gave no start time, so wait for the 2026 announcement.
Sources
- Christmas kicks off in Batangas City, Batangas City Official Website
- Christmas kick off sa Batangas City muling nagpaganda ng gabi, Batangas City Official Website
- Christmas kick off muling nagpaganda at nagpasaya sa Batangas City, Batangas City Official Website
- Simbang Gabi Christmas Show, itinatanghal sa Plaza Mabini, Batangas City Official Website
- Batangas City, Pormal na Inilunsad ang Kapaskuhan sa Makulay na Christmas Kick-Off sa Plaza Mabini, Batangas City Official Website
- 68-foot Christmas tree illuminates Batangas Capitol, GMA Regional TV
- Paskong Batangueño sa Kapitolyo 2023, Inquirer Plus