Christmas in the UK for Filipinos isn’t just about lights and winter markets—it’s about holding on to the spirit of Paskong Pinoy. For Filipinos, Christmas is more than a holiday; it’s a season of joy, togetherness, and tradition that begins as early as September. But when living abroad, especially in the UK, the feeling can sometimes feel distant—you suddenly miss your mum, dad, or even si ate at si kuya. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to keep the Filipino Christmas spirit alive, even if you’re in the bustling city of London.
Experiencing Christmas in the UK
Christmas in the UK is magical in its own way. Streets light up with sparkling decorations, Christmas markets fill city squares, and ice rinks pop up in iconic spots. If you’re in London, you can stroll under the world-famous Oxford Street lights, visit Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, or go ice skating at Somerset House. These things to do in London during Christmas offer an elegant, cosy holiday charm perfect for families and friends.
Still, for many Filipinos, even the dazzling lights and festive atmosphere abroad can’t fully replace the joy and warmth of home. As the famous song says:
“’Di ba’t kay ganda sa atin ng Pasko? Naiiba ang pagdiriwang dito. Pasko sa ati’y hahanap-hanapin mo, walang katulad dito ang Pasko. Sanay pagsapit ng Pasko kayo’y naririto.”
(Isn’t Christmas in our country so beautiful? The celebration here is truly different. You’ll always long for Christmas in our homeland, because there’s nothing like it anywhere else. I hope that when Christmas comes, you’ll be here.”)
These lyrics echo the emotions of overseas Filipinos—missing the laughter of family gatherings, the aroma of traditional dishes, and the joy of celebrating together in the Philippines.
Bringing the Spirit of Christmas in the Philippines to the UK
To recreate the feeling of Christmas in the Philippines, here are a few simple ways:
- Attend Simbang Gabi (or Misa de Gallo) – Some Filipino communities and churches in the UK organise dawn or evening Masses leading up to Christmas. Joining these services instantly reconnects you with home.
- Decorate with Filipino touches – Add a parol to your Christmas decorations to remind you of home. Many online shops in the UK now sell Filipino-inspired holiday décor.
- Celebrate with family and friends – As always, friends will find ways to plan plenty of fun. Host gatherings filled with food, music, and laughter. After all, no Filipino Christmas is complete without a salu-salo. Don’t forget to bring out the karaoke machine, sing along to classic Christmas songs, and even go Christmas carolling to capture the joyful, festive spirit.
Christmas Filipino Foods You Can Prepare in the UK
Food is the heart of every Filipino celebration. Even abroad, you can prepare these classic dishes to bring the taste of Christmas in the Philippines to your UK home:
- Bibingka and Puto Bumbong – Traditional rice cakes enjoyed after Simbang Gabi. Bibingka is soft, slightly sweet, and often topped with salted egg and cheese. Puto bumbong is a purple rice cake steamed in bamboo tubes and served with butter, sugar, and grated coconut. Ingredients are available in many Asian grocery stores across the UK.
- Christmas Ham (Hamon) – Sweet, glazed ham marinated with pineapple juice and brown sugar, baked to perfection, and decorated with pineapple rings and cherries.
- Embutido – Filipino-style meatloaf made with ground pork, raisins, carrots, and eggs. It’s steamed or baked, then sliced for serving—a buffet staple.
- Fruit Salad – A creamy dessert made with canned and fresh fruits, condensed milk or cream, plus extras like nata de coco or gelatin.
- Lechon (Roasted Pork Belly) – The centrepiece of Filipino celebrations. While a whole pig is hard to find in the UK, roasted pork belly provides the same festive crunch and rich flavour.
- Leche Flan – Sweet, creamy caramel custard that completes any Filipino Christmas table.
- Lumpiang Shanghai – Crispy spring rolls stuffed with pork, shrimp, and vegetables, served with sweet chilli sauce.
- Morcon – Beef roulade stuffed with sausages, carrots, pickles, and egg. A colourful, hearty dish perfect for festive gatherings.
- Pancit – Symbolising long life, this noodle dish is prepared with vegetables, shrimp, and pork. Pancit canton or bihon are both Christmas favourites.
- Queso de Bola – Edam cheese served with bread or paired with ham, a true Filipino Christmas icon.
Making Christmas in the UK Feel Like Home
If you’re celebrating Christmas in London, why not blend the best of both worlds? Start with a stroll through the Christmas markets, then come home to a table filled with Filipino dishes. Invite friends, exchange gifts, and sing karaoke late into the night—just like back in the Philippines. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
Whether you’re in London, Manchester, or anywhere across the UK, celebrating Christmas doesn’t mean letting go of tradition. By blending the charm of Christmas in the UK with the warmth of Christmas in the Philippines, you can create unforgettable memories that keep Paskong Pinoy alive abroad.
Christmas in the Philippines vs. Christmas in the UK
For many Filipinos abroad, comparing Christmas in the Philippines and Christmas in the UK is both heartwarming and bittersweet. The traditions, food, and overall atmosphere may be different, but each brings its own charm. The best part? You don’t have to choose just one—you can blend both to create a truly unique and meaningful holiday celebration. Here’s a side-by-side look at how the two compare, along with tips on how you can combine the best of both worlds:
| Aspect | Christmas in the Philippines | Christmas in the UK | Blending the Traditions (Philippines + UK) |
| Timing & Duration | Starts as early as September; celebrations last for months. | Starts in late November and peaks in December; shorter festive period. | Begin decorating early with a Filipino parol, then fully embrace the UK’s Christmas lights and markets in December. |
| Atmosphere | Bright, colorful, and lively with parols, lights, and festive music everywhere. | Cozy, wintery, and magical with Christmas markets, lights, and seasonal decorations. | Mix parols with fairy lights, and enjoy both karaoke nights at home and visits to winter wonderlands. |
| Traditions | Simbang Gabi, salu-salo, karaoke, Christmas songs, and street celebrations. | Decorating the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, caroling, and enjoying Christmas dinner. | Attend Simbang Gabi in the UK, decorate a Christmas tree with Filipino ornaments, and sing both carols and Tagalog Christmas songs. |
| Food | Lechon, pancit, bibingka, puto bumbong, lumpiang Shanghai, queso de bola. | Roast turkey, ham, mince pies, Christmas pudding, mulled wine. | Serve a feast that includes both lechon kawali and roast turkey, plus puto bumbong with mulled wine. |
| Feelings & Emotions | Lively, emotional, and family-centered. | Cozy, intimate, and reflective. | Host intimate dinners (UK style) but keep them noisy and joyful with Filipino laughter, games, and karaoke. |
| Community & Church | Simbang Gabi and barangay gatherings. | Church services, carol singing, Christmas fairs. | Attend UK church services while joining Filipino Masses where available; join carol groups but add Tagalog songs. |
Blending traditions doesn’t mean losing one for the other—it means creating something richer. By adding Filipino touches like parols, karaoke, and salu-salo to your UK Christmas, while also enjoying winter markets, cosy dinners, and local carols, you get the best of both worlds. For Filipinos in the UK, this fusion not only keeps Paskong Pinoy alive but also makes the season even more memorable, no matter where you are.
No matter where you are in the UK, keeping Paskong Pinoy alive means blending the traditions you grew up with and the new experiences you find abroad. From preparing Filipino dishes to decorating with a parol, you can make Christmas abroad feel truly special. And as the song reminds us, “Pasko sa ati’y hahanap-hanapin mo, walang katulad dito ang Pasko”—because nothing compares to being home for the holidays.
Home for the holidays!
Ready to bring your Christmas celebration back home? Fly to the Philippines this holiday season with Mabuhay Travel. Our Filipino specialists, fluent in English, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Bisaya, make booking your festive trip simple and worry-free. Take advantage of our Christmas flight offers and ensure you spend the season surrounded by loved ones, delicious food, and cherished traditions. Contact our friendly team today and start planning your journey home for the holidays!
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