Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Urdaneta
Urdaneta lights its city tree in front of the Old City Hall just before a fiesta that runs December 1 to 8. In 2025 the city university marked four years of its own Bright Christmas on December 1.
Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November
We’re checking this season’s Christmas events in Urdaneta with every host. Subscribe and we’ll email you the day they go live.
Free. We’ll email you the day they go live, then once a week with new events in Urdaneta. Unsubscribe at any time.
The story of Christmas in Urdaneta
A tree at the Old City Hall and a fiesta that follows
Urdaneta became a city on March 21, 1998, and it carries the name of Father Andres de Urdaneta, a Spanish navigator. Its biggest December tradition is the city fiesta, held on December 1 to 8 in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The Christmas tree is lit just before it in front of the Old City Hall, with a fireworks finish. In 2022 the mayor, Julio "Rammy" Parayno III, lit the tree on December 1, the first fiesta season after more than two years without fiestas. He called the star on top a sign of a brighter road for the city.
Naraniag a Paskua turns four on campus
In 2025 Urdaneta City University marked the fourth year of Naraniag a Paskua, which means "A Bright Christmas." The evening of December 1, 2025 began with a ribbon cutting for the university Christmas bazaar. The Orata Chamber Singers and the Orata Dance Troupe performed, and then the campus grounds were lit. A Christmas Tree and Village Competition and a Belen-making Contest ran alongside. The university says the Christmas Tunnel, grounds and bazaar stay open to families, friends and visitors through the season. The 2024 lighting was on November 22, with a bazaar of handmade crafts and holiday treats.
Cattle, noodles and a December carnival
Urdaneta is farm country. It is known for rice, vegetables and noodles, and its livestock market is described as the largest cattle market in northern Luzon. The city covers about 100 square kilometers and had 145,935 residents in the 2024 census. Its fiesta weeks open with a grand parade; in 2024 it began on December 1 with street dancing, a festival dance showdown and an ecumenical celebration. Families can also see the Museo de Urdaneta and the cathedral in town. The city's other big festival, Dumayo, comes much earlier, on March 18 to 31.
Traditions today
- City tree lighting: The tree is lit in front of the Old City Hall with speeches, singers and fireworks, on December 1 in 2022 and November 22 in 2024.
- City fiesta: Fiesta week runs December 1 to 8 for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and opens with a grand parade.
- Street dancing: Contingents compete in street dancing and a festival dance showdown during the fiesta.
- Naraniag a Paskua: Urdaneta City University lights its grounds each December, and the 2025 edition was its fourth year.
- Christmas bazaar: The university bazaar sells local goods, handmade crafts and holiday treats from student and community vendors.
- Tree, village and belen contests: The 2025 campus celebration ran a Christmas Tree and Village Competition and a Belen-making Contest.
A fact for kids
Urdaneta's cattle market is called the largest in northern Luzon, and the city is named after a Spanish sailor who helped start the first Spanish settlement in Cebu.
Questions about Christmas in Urdaneta
When is the Urdaneta City fiesta?
The Urdaneta City fiesta is held on December 1 to 8 each year and honors Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In 2024 the week began on December 1 with a grand parade led by Mayor Julio Parayno III. Check the city government for the exact 2026 schedule, because no 2026 program has been published yet.
Where does Urdaneta light its city Christmas tree?
The city tree is lit in front of the Old City Hall. In 2022 the lighting was on December 1 with Mayor Julio Parayno III and a fireworks display, and in 2024 the ceremony was held on November 22 at the same spot. A 2026 date has not been announced, so watch the city's official announcements.
What does Naraniag a Paskua mean?
Naraniag a Paskua means "A Bright Christmas." It is the name of Urdaneta City University's Christmas celebration. The 2025 edition, held on December 1, 2025, was the fourth year of the tradition and included a bazaar opening, performances and the lighting of the campus grounds.
Is the Urdaneta City University Christmas Tunnel open to visitors?
Yes. The university said after its December 1, 2025 celebration that the Christmas Tunnel, the campus grounds and the Christmas bazaar are open to families, friends and visitors throughout the season. Hours are not given, so check with the university before you drive over, and expect dates for 2026 to be posted later.
Which Urdaneta spots suit young kids in December, the Old City Hall or the campus?
The best known spots are the Old City Hall area during the December fiesta, where the city tree is lit, and the Urdaneta City University campus, which has a Christmas Tunnel, a bazaar and a lit campus each season. Dates for 2026 are not confirmed yet, so Rally Takes the Train's Urdaneta Christmas events guide will add them once they are.
What did Urdaneta offer families in past Decembers besides the fiesta parade?
Past seasons offered a tree lighting with fireworks at the Old City Hall and a campus Christmas bazaar and light display at Urdaneta City University. Families can also walk through the Christmas Tunnel on campus. The fiesta parade with street dancing started on December 1 in 2024. Confirmed 2026 dates are still to come.
Is anything planned in Urdaneta on December 25 itself?
Urdaneta's published celebrations cluster around the fiesta of December 1 to 8 and the early December campus lighting, so no city program for Christmas Day itself has been confirmed. For anything planned for December 25, 2026, watch the city government's announcements before you head out with the children.
When did Urdaneta become a city?
Urdaneta became a city on March 21, 1998, after a plebiscite on that date. It is in Pangasinan province in northern Luzon. The 2024 census counted 145,935 people, so it is a busy farm and trading city with a livestock market and a downtown that fills up for the December fiesta.
Who is Urdaneta named after?
The city is named after Father Andres de Urdaneta, a Spanish soldier, navigator, cosmographer and evangelist who helped set up the first Spanish settlement on the island of Cebu in 1565. Kids can learn the name as a story of a sailor from Spain whose name now sits on a farming city in Pangasinan.
What happened at the 2022 Urdaneta tree lighting?
On December 1, 2022, Mayor Julio Parayno III lit the Christmas tree in front of the Old City Hall, and a fireworks display followed. It came after more than two years without fiestas. The mayor compared the star on the tree to a brighter future for the city.
How did the November 22, 2024 Urdaneta lighting go?
The city lit its Christmas tree and nearby areas on November 22, 2024, in front of the Old City Hall. Mayor Julio Parayno III led speeches, the La Casa Orata Chamber Singers performed, and fireworks ended the night. The city fiesta started about a week later, on December 1.
What does the Urdaneta fiesta parade look like?
The 2024 fiesta opened with a grand parade led by Mayor Julio Parayno III and Senator Imee Marcos, joined by city officials, schools, employees and community members. It was followed by a car show, a street dancing contest, a festival dance showdown and an ecumenical celebration on the first day.
Was there a Christmas bazaar in Urdaneta in 2024?
Yes. Urdaneta City University opened a Christmas bazaar on November 22, 2024 with local goods, handmade crafts and holiday treats from student and community vendors. The UCU Chorale sang and the performing arts group danced. The university also lit its tree and decorations that evening.
What contests were part of Naraniag a Paskua in 2025?
The 2025 celebration included a Christmas Tree and Village Competition and a Belen-making Contest. Winners were to be named at the university's year-end thanksgiving gathering for employees. A belen is a Nativity scene, and it is a classic Filipino Christmas craft for kids to look at.
What is Urdaneta known for?
Urdaneta is known for rice, vegetables and noodles, and for what is described as the largest cattle market in northern Luzon. It also has a Bagsakan, a trading post and drop-off point for fruits and vegetables. These farm roots are part of the city's character, and the fiesta weeks open with a grand parade every December.
How many people live in Urdaneta City?
Urdaneta covers about 100 square kilometers, and the 2024 census counted 145,935 residents. It is a city in Pangasinan province, in northern Luzon. The tree lighting and the fiesta parade take place in town, around the Old City Hall, so the main December sights are close together.
What other festival does Urdaneta hold?
The Dumayo Festival is held every year from March 18 to 31, far from the Christmas season. The December fiesta from the first to the eighth honors Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, so Urdaneta has two separate celebration seasons, one in March and one in December.
Which places in Urdaneta can kids visit besides Christmas lights?
Families can visit the Museo de Urdaneta and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which share the town with the Old City Hall where the tree is lit. Opening hours are not published, so call ahead before you plan a visit with children.
Does Urdaneta have 2026 Christmas dates yet?
Not yet. As of early November 2026, no host or city calendar has confirmed 2026 dates for the tree lighting, the university's Naraniag a Paskua or the fiesta program. Rally Takes the Train's Urdaneta Christmas events guide will list them as soon as they are posted by the organizers.
Do you pay to watch the Urdaneta fiesta parade?
The parade and street dancing are public events held in town, but no price or ticket rule is stated. If you plan to attend the 2026 fiesta on December 1 to 8, check with the city government for the program and any entry rules.
Sources
- Urdaneta City lights up for holiday season, Urdaneta City University
- A Brighter Tradition: Urdaneta City University Celebrates Naraniag a Paskua, Urdaneta City University
- Parayno commences Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, Urdaneta City University
- Urdaneta City Fiesta 2024 kicks off with a grand parade and vibrant celebrations, Urdaneta City University
- Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Wikipedia
- UCU marks the start of holiday season with Christmas lighting and bazaar opening, Urdaneta City University