Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Zamboanga
Every December, Zamboanga City turns its century-old City Hall into a giant Christmas card, with a new theme each year, from fake snow to angels to a sea of joy. Behind the lights are a parade, a countdown and a New Year welcomed with pots and pans.
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The story of Christmas in Zamboanga
A City Hall from 1905 that gets a new look every December
Zamboanga's Christmas season centers on one building. The historic City Hall dates to 1905 to 1907, during the American period, and each year the city's General Services Office dresses it in a new theme. A countdown leads to the Grand Lighting Ceremony, when the mayor switches on the lights. The festival goes by Pascua na Zamboanga and Festival de Navidad, and the Tourism Promotions Board calls it Hanging of the Green. Decorations also go up at Plaza Pershing, Plaza Rizal and Paseo del Mar, and some streets close to traffic until the first week of January.
A boat captain for a mayor, and a sea of joy in 2025
The 2025 festival opened on December 1 with the theme "Christmas on the Move: Land, Air and Sea of Joy" and the motto "Paz y Amor en esta Navidad." The sea theme honored Mayor Khymer Olaso, a former international boat captain who took office in May 2025. A Christmas parade of floats and marching bands went from Paseo del Mar to City Hall, with city employees in sea-inspired costumes. The mayor led the countdown and switch-on, and fireworks followed. Crowds also filled Plaza Pershing and Heroes Park. On October 25, 2025, SM City Mindpro had already launched its own "A Christmas Story" decor.
Fake snow in the rain and a 25-meter tree
In 2021 the theme was Winter Wonderland. Fairy lights shaped like snowflakes covered City Hall, and fake snow fell on the umbrella-carrying crowd during a rainstorm. In 2023, under the theme "Starry, Starry Christmas," a computerized 25-meter tree with thousands of LED lights, synchronized to holiday music, was switched on at the Integrated Bus Terminal. Another year the hall became an Angel House, with life-size angel mannequins and rooftop wings about 30 meters wide. When the new year arrives, residents bang pots and pans instead of lighting firecrackers.
Traditions today
- Watch the countdown and Grand Lighting: Each year a countdown ends with the mayor switching on the lights at the historic City Hall. In 2018, thousands joined the countdown.
- See City Hall in a new costume: The General Services Office picks a theme every year. Past looks include Winter Wonderland, angels and, in 2025, a land, air and sea theme.
- Catch the Christmas parade: The employee parade has walked from Paseo del Mar to City Hall. The 2025 parade had floats and marching bands.
- Walk the plazas and parks: Plaza Pershing, Plaza Rizal, Paseo del Mar and Heroes Park are decorated or crowded during the festival.
- Visit the mall displays: In 2025, SM City Mindpro opened a reindeer-themed Christmas display with photo corners, a digital game and a parade of Christmas characters.
- Welcome the new year with pots and pans: Zamboanga residents mark midnight by banging cookware, and officials describe the firecracker ban as a long-held local tradition.
A fact for kids
In 2021, fake snow fell on the crowd at the Zamboanga City Hall switch-on, even while it was raining.
Questions about Christmas in Zamboanga
What is Pascua na Zamboanga?
Pascua na Zamboanga means Christmas in Zamboanga. It is the city government's yearly festival at the historic City Hall on NS Valderrosa Street. A countdown ends with the Grand Lighting Ceremony, and the General Services Office creates a new look each year. Families can expect light displays and Christmas music, which the city describes as wholesome and family friendly.
Why is Zamboanga's Christmas festival called Festival de Navidad and Hanging of the Green?
The festival has had more than one name. Pascua na Zamboanga is the long-used title, and in 2022 it was called Festival de Navidad under Mayor John Dalipe. The Tourism Promotions Board calls it Hanging of the Green. News reports for 2025 also used Festival de Navidad. All of them point to the same December celebration.
When does the Zamboanga Grand Lighting happen, and has a 2026 date been announced?
Recent openings fell in late November or early December: November 29 in 2024, December 1 in 2022 and 2025, and December 9 in 2023. No 2026 date has been announced as of early November 2026. Watch the City of Zamboanga announcements for the countdown night before planning an evening visit.
How old is Zamboanga City Hall?
The historic City Hall was built during the American period. One account dates it to 1905 to 1907, and another says construction began during the American period of 1903 to 1914. Its Spanish-inspired facade is the main stage for the lights, and it glows every night of the Christmas season.
Who designs the Christmas decorations at Zamboanga City Hall?
The City General Services Office prepares the designs and decorations each year. The city says every year has a different theme and look. Past examples include Anghel de Navidad, Winter Wonderland and Starry, Starry Christmas. In 2025 the theme was Christmas on the Move: Land, Air and Sea of Joy.
What was the theme of Zamboanga's Christmas festival in 2025?
The 2025 theme was "Christmas on the Move: Land, Air and Sea of Joy," with the motto "Paz y Amor en esta Navidad," meaning Peace and Love this Christmas. The festival opened on December 1, 2025. City Hall carried thousands of lights, nearby parks and roads were decorated too, and fireworks followed the switch-on that night.
Why did the 2025 Zamboanga Christmas theme have a sea motif?
The sea theme recognized Mayor Khymer Olaso, who worked as an international boat captain before taking office in May 2025. City employees joined the Christmas parade in sea-inspired costumes. The parade started at Paseo del Mar, the waterfront road, and ended at City Hall. In his Christmas message the mayor spoke of warmth, unity and hope.
What happens at the Christmas parade in Zamboanga City?
The parade starts at Paseo del Mar and goes to City Hall. In 2025 it had floats and marching bands, and city employees wore sea-inspired costumes. After the parade came the program, the countdown, the switch-on of lights and fireworks. In 2022 the employee parade followed the same route.
Besides the City Hall lights, what else can kids do at Christmas in Zamboanga City?
Kids can watch the parade when the festival opens, walk the decorated plazas and parks, and see mall displays. In 2025, SM City Mindpro had reindeer installations, photo corners, a digital game and a parade of Christmas characters. Local traditions also include night markets, community caroling and barangay contests.
Which plazas and parks are decorated for Christmas in Zamboanga City?
Start with City Hall, where the lights are on every night of the season, then walk to Plaza Pershing, Plaza Rizal and Paseo del Mar, which are decorated each year. Heroes Park drew large crowds at the 2025 opening. Malls decorate too, such as SM City Mindpro, so you can add an indoor stop if it rains.
Where can we spend Christmas Day in Zamboanga City?
On December 25, 2025 the City Hall grounds were lit every night, with the Spanish-inspired facade glowing as the city celebrated. Plaza Pershing and Heroes Park are close by. The same report mentions Simbang Gabi Masses, night markets and community caroling as part of the season, so families can plan an evening around the lights.
Is there a giant Christmas tree in Zamboanga City, like the 25-meter one at the bus terminal?
Zamboanga has had one. In 2023 the Integrated Bus Terminal switched on a 25-meter computerized tree with thousands of LED lights synchronized to holiday music. In 2024 the terminal launched its own display again. Reports on the 2025 opening focus on City Hall and do not mention a tree, so check the latest news before heading out.
What happened at the 2021 Winter Wonderland switch-on in Zamboanga City?
The 2021 theme was Winter Wonderland. Thousands of fairy lights formed snowflakes on City Hall, and fake snow fell on the crowd at the switch-on, even during a rainstorm. The city spent P2.5 million on the display. It was the ninth and last holiday opening for Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who stepped down in June 2022.
What did the Angel House at Zamboanga City Hall look like?
In an angel-themed year, City Hall became an Angel House at night. Life-size angel mannequins stood in the halls and balcony, and rooftop wings spanned about 30 meters. The idea was based on children's wishes and dreams. The city spent P2 million across City Hall, Plaza Pershing, Plaza Fort Pilar, a garden in Pasonanca and Paseo del Mar.
How long are streets closed for the Christmas festival in Zamboanga City?
In 2022, Mayor John Dalipe closed roads for the festival from December 1 to January 5, which is 36 days. Some streets also stay closed to traffic until the first week of January. Parents driving in should expect detours near City Hall and Paseo del Mar and arrive early on festival nights.
How much does Zamboanga City spend on Christmas decorations?
The amounts reported vary by year. The city spent P2.5 million in 2021, P2 million in an angel-themed year, and P4 million was allocated for 2024. Thousands of people crowded City Hall and the nearby parks at the 2024 opening. No figure is given for 2025, so treat these as past examples only.
Do Zamboanga families use fireworks at New Year?
Not by tradition. A Daily Tribune preview of New Year 2026 said residents mark midnight by banging kitchen cookware, and that officials describe the firecracker ban as a long-held local tradition. Families gather at Media Noche feasts, and thousands were expected at the beaches on New Year's Day for the traditional dip, when fathers teach sons to swim.
What do families eat for Media Noche in Zamboanga City?
A Daily Tribune preview of New Year's Eve 2025 named lechon, quesillo and thick, frothy hot chocolate at Media Noche feasts. Gatherings take place in barangays from Pasonanca Park in the hills to Barangay Labuan by the coast. The same preview described the night as one of reunion and hope, with families gathering before midnight.
What did SM City Mindpro do for Christmas in 2025?
SM City Mindpro launched its "A Christmas Story" theme on October 25, 2025, with a Reindeer Christmas Surprise concept. The mall added twinkling lights, giant gifts and books, Christmas trees and reindeer installations. It also held a launch with atrium performances and a lighting countdown, and offered a digital game and a parade of Christmas characters.
Could children see the City Hall lights in 2021?
In 2021 an order kept children from going outdoors to see the display, and the local government was considering lifting it. The Winter Wonderland lights still went on at City Hall, Plaza Rizal, Plaza Pershing and Paseo del Mar. Later festivals, such as 2025, drew large crowds to the plazas and the park.
Sources
- Pascua na Zamboanga, City of Zamboanga
- Zamboanga City kicks off Christmas festival, Manila Bulletin
- Zamboanga shines: Festival de Navidad 2025, Daily Tribune
- Zamboanga's starry night of reunion and hope, Daily Tribune
- Zamboanga City launches 2 Christmas landmarks, Manila Bulletin
- Zamboanga City ushers in Christmas, Manila Bulletin
- Festival de Navidad (Zamboanga City), Festivalscape
- Zamboanga City Hall transforms into 'Angel House' for Christmas, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Winter Wonderland is Zamboanga City's 2021 Christmas theme, Manila Bulletin
- SM City Mindpro unwraps 'A Christmas Story', SunStar Zamboanga
- Zamboanga City ushers in Christmas with holiday festival, Manila Bulletin
- Zamboanga City Christmas lights switch-on (Anghel de Navidad), Philippine News Agency