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Advent
Simbang Gabi (Philippines)
Also called: Misa de Aguinaldo, Night Mass, Misa de Gallo (final night)
December 16 (fixed)
CatholicMethodist
From 16 December, Filipino Catholics attend pre-dawn Mass for nine straight days — starting as early as 4am — called Simbang Gabi. Outside churches, vendors sell rice cakes and hot chocolate to worshippers who have walked there in the dark.
Completing all nine Masses is said to bring a special blessing. The Philippines arguably has the world's longest Christmas season — it unofficially starts in September.
Eden lists cultural tours and self-catering stays in the Philippines.
At a glance
- Type
- regional tradition
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Philippines
- Themes
- Birth of Christ, Mary
- Liturgical colour
- White, Violet
Common questions
Simbang Gabi (Philippines) is observed on December 16 (fixed). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
A devotional series of nine pre-dawn Masses (novena) held from December 16 to 24, unique to Filipino Catholic practice. Originally instituted during the Spanish colonial era so that farmers could attend Mass before working in the fields. The Masses begin as early as 4 AM. Outside the churches, vendors sell traditional delicacies: bibingka (coconut rice cakes) and puto bumbong (steamed purple rice)
It is associated with Catholic, Methodist. It falls in the Advent season of the liturgical year.
