Christmas in the “Ber” Months: A Joyful Dive into The World’s Longest Christmas Season
A merry exploration of why Christmas in the Philippines is more than just a holiday.
The colorful and intricate Philippine parols
Author’s Note: This December, we’re writing about the uniquely magical Christmas traditions of the Philippines. From the twinkles of the festive parols to the warmth of simbang gabi, we’ll explore and highlight some of the things that make a Filipino Christmas one of a kind.
It’s conventional to think that Christmas season officially begins on December 1st. Unless you happen to be a Filipino.
In the Philippines, we don’t abide by the usual holiday calendar. Here, Christmas “officially” kicks off the moment September 1st arrives.
As soon as the first of the ‘Ber months roll in (that’s September, October, November, and December), you’ll see fairy lights twinkling in neighborhoods, hear carols wafting through shopping malls, and notice your social media feeds flooded with memes of Jose Mari Chan.
I remember the first time I explained this to an American friend. “Wait, you start celebrating Christmas in September?” she asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Yep,” I replied proudly. “Our Christmas lasts four months.” Well, technically, four months and a few days as it officially ends on the first week of January of the next year to mark The Three Kings.
Why So Early?
Why do we Filipinos start Christmas season so early?
According to my research, there are several contributing factors:
Deep Religious Roots: With Philippines being predominantly Catholic, the country places a huge emphasis on the Christmas season to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The long buildup allows us to fully immerse in the spiritual and festive essence of the holiday.
Strong Family Ties: Christmas season is a time for family reunions, especially for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who often come home to celebrate. Starting in September means more time to prepare and build excitement for those precious moments of togetherness.
Commercial Factors (aka Shopping): A long Christmas celebration is a boon for shops and businesses. With gift-giving as a central part of the Filipino Christmas spirit, we need ample time to shop and prepare. Starting early means less stress and more opportunities to buy the perfect presents, plan family gatherings, and organize Christmas parties ahead of time.
Cultural Affinity for Celebrations: Filipinos are known for their love of fiestas and celebrations. Starting Christmas early gives people more time to enjoy the holiday spirit.
A Way to Prolong the Season: Filipinos treat Christmas as more than just a holiday - it’s also a season of generosity and togetherness. With our natural penchant for finding the silver lining in everyday challenges, extending the celebration just feels right. It gives us something meaningful to look forward to, something to prepare for and something to bond over.
All of the above are rational reasons but my answer is simple: Because we can!
We embrace traditions and celebrations, and starting Christmas early is just one of those endearing traits that make us unique. It’s a reflection of our resilience and our ability to find enjoyment in the simplest things - like playing the same carols for four months straight.
The Countdown to the Countdown
The long buildup makes this whole thing special. We don’t just jump into Christmas head-on. September and October are about getting warmed up - playing the music, planning decorations, and starting to canvass the malls for presents to others and selves. By November, the excitement kicks into high gear, and by December, it’s a full-on Christmas frenzy.
Decorations Everywhere
One ubiquitous thing you’ll notice? Christmas decorations start popping up ridiculously early. Think Christmas trees, parols (those iconic star-shaped lanterns), and nativity scenes. Some households go all out, stringing lights around their windows and setting up elaborate displays on their lawns. And it’s not just homes. Malls, offices, and even small sari-sari stores (corner shops) join in the fun.
I personally got a kick out of walking through the big SM malls during this time. Or driving through Ayala Boulevard to marvel at the street decorations. You could feel the festive vibe creeping into every corner. And the best part? It’s only September!
Christmas decorations along Ayala Avenue, Makati
Herald of the Season
Jose Mari Chan, the anointed King of Philippine Christmas Carols, has become the living herald of the Christmas season. In the waning days of August, funny and hilarious memes of him start to show up in the Philippine social media scene with captions like “Ilang tulog na lang” (only few more nights)…or “Ready na ba kayo?” (Are you ready?)…
The moment September comes, his songs start playing everywhere. You hear them in jeepneys, malls and coffee shops. It’s like a Pavlovian response - hearing his soothing voice signals that it’s time to start feeling the holiday cheer.
I am a BIG fan of Jose Mari Chan. At our wedding, our friends serenaded us with my favorite Jose Mari Chan song. Whenever there’s a karaoke session, you can bet I’ll queue up at least one of his classics.
It felt almost serendipitous that the very first Christmas I spent in Manila (2015), after a twelve year absence, led to a chance encounter with Jose Mari Chan himself! Seeing him in person was like meeting Christmas royalty.
He was very nice, accommodating and was gracious to let me have a picture with him. And you know what he said to me? “Pareho na tayong walang buhok” (We both have no hair). I typically don’t like people commenting on my hair but Christmas royalty can do no wrong.
When your idol says yes to a photo, it’s a memory of a lifetime
A Tradition That Stays
This tradition of early Christmas celebration might seem over the top for some outside observers but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having the longest Christmas celebration in the world is now part of the Filipino identity – one that adds a layer of uniqueness to an already one-of-a-kind culture.
So, if you’re a visitor or tourist lucky enough to find yourself in the Philippines around September, you know what to expect. Hearing Christmas music playing or seeing decorations going up won’t be a surprise anymore but a welcome sight.
Embrace it and bask in the celebration. Who knows? You might even find yourself loving it as much as we do.