About this Holiday
Christmas Eve falls on December 24th, the day and evening preceding Christmas Day, celebrated with midnight mass, family gatherings, and gift-giving traditions worldwide. In the Philippines, it is one of the most eagerly anticipated celebrations of the year, with the final Simbang Gabi mass and the beloved 'Noche Buena' — a festive midnight meal after mass featuring traditional Filipino holiday dishes such as queso de bola, ham, and bibingka. The Philippines is known for having one of the world's longest Christmas seasons, beginning as early as September.