Hotels in Mandaluyong City are now all set this holiday season. Well, it isn’t just the city of Mandaluyong but the whole country as well. As always, the Philippines starts celebrating Christmas since the start of the “ber” months. It is not just the hotels, malls, and other business establishments that are all spruced up but also houses, big or small, never miss to join in the festivities. Some are lavishly decorated while others are content hanging one or two parols (Christmas lantern) outside. If you have a tight budget, there are places where you can witness amazing Christmas displays for free.

Free?! Interested now, aren’t we? Here are the top picks ready for exploration:

Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong City

It is quite normal to see houses decorated with Christmas decors but this one is definitely a perfect 10. Mandaluyong Hotels can’t pull this stunt because the tenants will surely cry in protest due to high electrical fees and expensive decorations.

Yep, Policarpio Street did it again and its charm never fades. This ordinary street becomes a main Christmas attraction in Mandaluyong City by nighttime. This annual tradition was started by the Lim, Dalisay and Suva families on 1996. The decorations and lights are breathtaking as ever. While you feed your eyes, you can satiate your hunger by stopping over food stalls in the area.

Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City

Makati City is not just the center of commerce in the Philippines but also a source of fun and entertainment. Every year Ayala Triangle Gardens holds an event called “Festival of Lights”, which is a lights and sounds show. The theme this year is “Beats and Hues” with three different light shows. It first plays a big band and jazz music, followed by African drumbeats, and topped off with electronic dance music.

This event is also recognized by an international travel magazine, the Conde Nast Traveler last year. Ayala Triangle Gardens was mentioned on their list of one of the places in the world to see spectacular Christmas lights.

It will run until January 3, 2016 from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Greenhills Shopping Center

Besides the annual sale for the holidays, the Christmas Bangketa Fair, which kicked off on November 13 and lasts until December 31, another reason to go back at Greenhills Shopping Center is the Christmas on Display (COD). It is a moving mannequin show which was originally started at COD Department Stores in Avenida but now, its current home is at Greenhills.

This year’s theme is called “The First Christmas” and it is about the journey of the Three Kings. The show runs until January 4, 2015 which lasts for 15 minutes and starts at 6:30 pm until 11:30 pm.

Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga

Pampanga is not only the “Food Capital” of the country; the famed province is the “Christmas Capital” as well. December is their busiest month of the year because it is packed with must-see places and events. Pampanga Day (Aldo Ning Kapampangan) is celebrated every December 11. It is an event with colorful floats, street dancing and a beauty pageant called Mutya Ning Kapampangan.

In Guagua, Pampanga, a mini-Christmas village was setup by the Peña family inside their home. At Santa Rita, their latest gimmick is a rainbow Christmas (neither white nor blue, make that ROYGBIV).

Let us not forget the reason why it is the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” On December 19 the Giant Lantern Festival 2015 will start with 11 participants showcasing their magnificent creations.

It is not just the malls and hotels in Mandaluyong where you can spend Christmas with family and friends. Every city and province in the country has its own Christmas attraction worth your time and wonder.