Christmas Events for Kids in Cagayan de Oro (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

3 min read

We confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro for 2026. The season opens on November 4 with Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier and runs until December 25 with Northern Winter Lights at SM City CDO Uptown. Every event here is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the Philippines.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Cagayan de Oro: 2
  • Already on: Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro, November 4
  • Free events: Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier and Northern Winter Lights at SM City CDO Uptown

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro

Kids’ Christmas events
2 confirmed for 2026
Cities and areas
Cagayan de Oro
Season
November 4 to December 25
Free events
2
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro

Listed soonest first: 2 confirmed events in Cagayan de Oro.

Visit with SantaFree

Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier

Expand to see the parent tip

SM CDO Downtown Premier unveiled Christmas Wonder on October 18, 2026, a winter fairy tale display built around larger-than-life winter wolves that lead Santa Claus and his sleigh into a lit Christmas scene. The tree lighting took place at the Event Center that evening. The mall invites families to take photos with Santa's sleigh and the lights, which makes it an easy, free outing for younger children. The display is the mall's Christmas centerpiece for the holiday season, but no closing date or Santa meet and greet schedule has been announced, so confirm with the mall before planning a special trip.

Parent tip: Viewing is free. Weekday afternoons are usually calmer than weekend evenings.

Host
SM CDO Downtown Premier (opens in a new tab)
Where
SM CDO Downtown Premier, Claro M. Recto Avenue, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro 9000 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with SM CDO Downtown Premier (opens in a new tab)

New events in Cagayan de Oro every week

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 1 more Cagayan de Oro event researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Cagayan de Oro.
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  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
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Coming up on this page

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Christmas light showFree

Northern Winter Lights at SM City CDO Uptown

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SM City CDO Uptown unveiled Northern Winter Lights on October 23, 2026, a Christmas display inspired by the beauty of a northern winter, with sparkling illuminations and festive details across the mall. The mall presents it as a picture-perfect backdrop for family gatherings, so it suits a relaxed visit with children who like lights and photos. No activities, Santa schedules or closing date have been announced, so treat this as a seasonal display to enjoy during a regular mall visit and check the mall's official channels for any added programs.

Parent tip: Viewing is free during mall hours. Bring a camera for the lit display.

Host
SM City CDO Uptown (opens in a new tab)
Where
SM City Cagayan de Oro Uptown, Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro 9000 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with SM City CDO Uptown (opens in a new tab)

New events in Cagayan de Oro every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Cagayan de Oro every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in the Philippines

A story for the trip home

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

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Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro?

For 2026, we confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro, each on its host’s own page: Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier and Northern Winter Lights at SM City CDO Uptown. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Cagayan de Oro?

Yes, every event here is free: Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier and Northern Winter Lights at SM City CDO Uptown.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Cagayan de Oro?

Where to see Santa: Christmas Wonder at SM CDO Downtown Premier. Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 5, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Cagayan de Oro

In Cagayan de Oro, a Christmas contest can be won by a decorated motorela, the city's everyday ride. Add barangay lanterns in Divisoria, lights at City Hall and Gaston Park, and mall trees as tall as 55 feet, and you have the local Pasko.

Motorelas, marching bands and the Pasko de Oro parade

Pasko de Oro is the city government's yearly Christmas kickoff. The 2018 edition was its fourth year, with a Paskorela contest (decorate your own motorela, the city's common public transport), a parade from Rodelsa Circle to City Hall, a school choir contest called Bangga sa Daygon, and the Symphony of Lights. A Christmas bazaar was added at Gaston Park that year, running December 3 to January 6. In 2019 the city also held Indigay sa Parol, a lantern contest among 25 barangays on the Divisoria island park, with displays up until December 30.

An emerald city in the mall, lit on October 25

SM CDO Downtown held the grand launch of its Christmas in Bloom display on October 25, 2025, at 6 p.m.. The mall built an Oz-inspired Emerald City with red poppies, a sparkling stream, a crystal bridge over the water and a towering Christmas tree at the center. The displays change every year. In 2018 Downtown lit a 55-foot tree, called the tallest indoor Christmas tree in Cagayan de Oro, and in 2023 SM City CDO Uptown lit a 36-foot tree on October 28.

Bears for charity and lights until Chinese New Year

In 2020 the Symphony of Lights at City Hall and Gaston Park switched on December 1 and ran daily from 6 to 10 p.m. until Chinese New Year, so the lights were still glowing on Christmas Day. That same year SM City Cagayan de Oro lit a 30-foot fairy-tale tree and sold Bears of Joy: a pair of toy bears for P200, where you keep one and give the other to a charity. In 2022 the mall's centerpiece was built around the Nutcracker Suite, with huge nutcrackers to pose beside.

Traditions today

  • Pasko de Oro parade: The city government's Christmas kickoff has marching bands and decorated motorelas moving from Rodelsa Circle toward City Hall.
  • Paskorela: Entrants decorate their own motorela for Christmas, a contest that honors the city's common public transportation.
  • Symphony of Lights: City Hall and Gaston Park are lit in a countdown ceremony, with dancing colorful lights.
  • Barangay parols and Christmas villages: Barangays build lanterns and village displays that are lit together at the Pasko de Oro ceremony.
  • Bangga sa Daygon: Elementary students from across the city compete in a Christmas choral competition.
  • Mall centerpieces: SM malls unveil a new tree and themed display each season, from fairy-tale gardens to an Emerald City in 2025.

A fact for kids

In Cagayan de Oro you can win a Christmas contest by decorating a motorela, the little public vehicle that takes people around town.

Questions about Christmas in Cagayan de Oro

What is Pasko de Oro in Cagayan de Oro?

Pasko de Oro is the City Government of Cagayan de Oro's annual Christmas kickoff. The 2018 edition was its fourth year and had a motorela decorating contest, a parade, a school choir contest, the Symphony of Lights and a bazaar. In 2022 it returned after two years without Christmas festivities.

What is a Paskorela?

Paskorela is a Pasko de Oro contest where entrants dress up their own motorela in holiday decorations. A motorela is the common public transportation in Cagayan de Oro. In 2018 organizers aimed for 20 contingents, and in 2022 six decorated entries began pre-judging on the day of the parade.

How does the Pasko de Oro parade go?

In 2018 the parade began around 4:30 p.m. at Rodelsa Circle, passed Divisoria and ended at City Hall for the Symphony of Lights launch. In 2022 it started at 1:30 p.m. from the Rodelsa circle with six community bands and six decorated motorelas, ending outside City Hall where the mayor gave a Christmas message.

What is the Symphony of Lights at City Hall and Gaston Park?

It is the city's Christmas light display at City Hall and Gaston Park, switched on in a countdown ceremony. In 2020 it opened on December 1 with hundreds of colorful dancing lights. Later city announcements also name the Festival of Lights for the same area, which in 2022 had a White Christmas theme.

How late are the City Hall Christmas lights on?

The only schedule on record is from 2020, when the lights ran daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., from December 1 until Chinese New Year. In 2022 the lighting was set for 6:30 p.m. on December 6 and included the City Choral. Hours can change by year, so check the city's announcement.

Who performed at the 2022 Festival of Lights switch-on?

The 2022 program at City Hall and Gaston Park had Christmas songs from the City Choral before the countdown, messages from the mayor and the city council, and a closing performance by the Oro Marching Arts Guild. The guild had won the 2022 Marching Band Competition that Pasko de Oro held.

What is Indigay sa Parol?

Indigay sa Parol is a Christmas lantern competition. In 2019 the City Government lit lanterns made by 25 barangays at the island park in the center of Divisoria, under the theme Christmas sa Pinas. Judging took place December 9 and 16, and the display ran until December 30.

Why were the 2019 parols placed in Divisoria?

Organizers put the Indigay sa Parol lanterns in Divisoria because the Symphony of Lights was already at Gaston Park. They also wanted to highlight Divisoria as an old meeting place of people. The lanterns were expected to last 30 days in rain or shine.

What is Christmas Village Around the World?

It is a city tourism office activity in which barangays build Christmas displays. In 2022 entries from 11 barangays were lit together with 22 parols from Indigay sa Parol, as part of the Pasko de Oro lighting ceremony at City Hall, Gaston Park and Ysalina Bridge.

What is Bangga sa Daygon?

Bangga sa Daygon is a choral competition for elementary students citywide. It was part of Pasko de Oro in 2018, held on December 5 at SM City Cagayan de Oro, and it was announced again for December 9 in the 2022 lineup run by the City Tourism Office.

Is there a Christmas bazaar in Cagayan de Oro?

In 2018 the city added a Christmas bazaar at Gaston Park, near City Hall, running December 3 to January 6, with exhibitors from livelihood projects. In 2020 SM City Cagayan de Oro also had a Christmas Market on its ground floor with local products. Each year's schedule is announced separately.

What did SM CDO Downtown build for Christmas in 2025?

SM CDO Downtown launched Christmas in Bloom on October 25, 2025 at 6 p.m.. It was an Oz-inspired Emerald City with red poppies, a sparkling stream, a crystal bridge over the water and a towering Christmas tree at the center, with performances and character appearances at the launch.

How tall is the Christmas tree at SM CDO Downtown?

Reports from 2018 and 2022 both give 55 feet for the SM CDO Downtown Premier tree. The 2018 article called it the tallest indoor Christmas tree in Cagayan de Oro. The 2022 display added a golden fountain and a walkway lit with fairy lights.

When did SM City CDO Uptown light its 36-foot tree?

The Manila Times reports that SM City CDO Uptown lit a 36-foot Christmas tree on October 28, 2023. It is described as a spot for families to gather. No activity schedule is given for that season, so check the mall's announcements before planning a visit with kids.

What were the giant nutcrackers at SM City Cagayan de Oro?

In 2022 SM City Cagayan de Oro launched a centerpiece inspired by the Nutcracker Suite, with huge nutcrackers and a giant Christmas tree. SunStar says shoppers could take selfies or group photos there. No tree height is given for that mall.

What are Bears of Joy?

Bears of Joy is an annual SM charity project. In 2020 a pair of toy bears cost P200 at SM City Cagayan de Oro: the buyer keeps one bear and donates the other to a charity of their choice. That year's tree was 30 feet tall with a fairy-tale theme.

Can kids meet Santa at the Cagayan de Oro malls?

SM CDO Downtown promised a Santa Meet and Greet throughout December in 2018, plus orchestra performances on every Saturday of December. Santa schedules for later years have not been published, so check the mall's announcements before going.

Besides the mall trees, what can kids see at Christmas in Cagayan de Oro?

Kids can look at the Symphony of Lights at City Hall and Gaston Park, parols and barangay Christmas villages in Divisoria, and the Pasko de Oro parade of decorated motorelas and marching bands. For current dates, see Rally Takes the Train's Cagayan de Oro Christmas events guide.

Which Cagayan de Oro stops, from Gaston Park to the SM trees, suit a family Christmas outing?

Past reports point families to City Hall and Gaston Park for the city lights, Divisoria for lantern displays, SM CDO Downtown for its 55-foot tree and yearly centerpiece, and SM City Cagayan de Oro or Uptown for its tree. Rally Takes the Train's Cagayan de Oro Christmas events guide lists confirmed dates when they are available.

Where can I spend Christmas Day in Cagayan de Oro with children?

No Christmas Day program has been announced. They do show that in 2020 the City Hall and Gaston Park lights ran from December 1 until Chinese New Year, so they were on at Christmas, and malls build displays that stay up through the season. Check Rally Takes the Train's Cagayan de Oro Christmas events guide for current plans.

Sources

  1. A Sparkling Downtown Christmas (2018 article), SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  2. SM CDO Downtown unveils Christmas in Bloom, SM Supermalls
  3. SM malls in Cagayan de Oro light up Christmas centerpieces, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  4. Pasko de Oro events set on December 3, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  5. Holiday-clad relas, marching bands to usher Pasko de Oro, City Government of Cagayan de Oro
  6. Indigay sa Parol lights up Divisoria, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  7. Cagayan de Oro starts Christmas season with its Symphony of Lights, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  8. SM Uptown brings enchanted Christmas to Kagayanons, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  9. SM City CDO Uptown lights up 36-foot Christmas tree, The Manila Times
  10. Festival of Lights at City Hall, Gaston Park set, City Government of Cagayan de Oro
  11. Oro kicks off Christmas celebration with Pasko de Oro, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  12. Mayor Klarex lights Chinese lanterns at City Hall, Gaston Park today, City Government of Cagayan de Oro
Kelsey Cecil
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