Halloween in the Philippines: Traditions, Festivals & Events 2025

In the Philippines, Halloween is celebrated with great enthusiasm, beginning about a week before October 31, when people clean and decorate their homes. These festivities are distinct from Western traditions as, for Filipinos, Halloween is closely tied to the Catholic observances of All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2.

Halloween Celebration Highlights

In the Philippines, All Hallows Eve isn't marked by pumpkin carving or apple-bobbing. Instead, it is observed with flickering candles, fragrant flowers, prayers, and group visits to cemeteries. Thousands visit to honor their loved ones, often staying for extended periods, with some even spending the night. Filipinos also have a unique form of trick-or-treating called Pangangaluluwa, where people go door to door, sing for the dead, and receive money or food in return.

Halloween Events

In addition to these rituals and traditions, there are plenty of festivities and parties that will feel more familiar to tourists. You can join the Parada Lloca-Llocana, where thousands of people wear creative and scary costumes, or attend Halloween parties in Manila.

Semana ti Ar-aria Festival in Laoag City

Laoag City hosts the largest Halloween celebration in the Philippines, mirroring Western festivities. Held in Ilocos Norte, the festival is called Semana Ti Ar-aria after All Saints' and All Souls' Day. Highlights include the Parada Lloca-Llocana and Tumba, where different Paoay neighborhoods compete to honor the spirits of the dead. The Parada Lloca-Llocana, the festival's main attraction, transforms the streets of Laoag City into a captivating display of costumes, creativity, and Halloween magic—a unique Paoay tradition of remembering the departed.

Halloween Activities in Manila

In Manila, the week leading up to Halloween is packed with events and parties at various clubs, bars, and restaurants. Visitors can check out Nightmares Manila, formerly known as Asylum Manila, which has reopened with even more spine-chilling experiences. For those seeking a good scare, Nightmares Manila offers two of its five haunted attractions, complete with terrifying live actors, horror movie-style thrills, and Hollywood-quality special effects. The location also features zombie paintball, escape rooms, and a café, with tickets starting at ₱ 499.

If you're looking for some kid-friendly Halloween opportunities, here you are. Another exciting costume event is the PF Mamaw Run. This remarkable race promises to send chills down your spine while filling the evening with laughter and fun. The event is scheduled for October 26, 2024, at 4 pm, at Filinvest Alabang.

Just outside the capital in Quezon City, the Horizon Halloween event will take place on October 27. This one-day celebration features music, food, and community festivities, with performances by Jonas Blue and some of the world's top DJs. If you're a fan of electronic music, this is the perfect Halloween-themed event for you.