NOTE: This is an old post from the first time I attended the SM Mall of Asia’s Grand Festival of Lights Parade. During the holiday season this post gets a bunch of visitors, so I try to update it as best I can.

You may also want to check out the Ayala Triangle Gardens Gallery of Lights.

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Have you seen The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade? Now that’s a mouthful! If you haven’t yet, then you better start making plans. There are only a few more on schedule. While you’re thinking about it, do read this post and check some of the photos I took during The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade.

I didn’t take the best photos. A bit dreary, actually; The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade is anything but. We didn’t get the best seats.

Who best to usher in The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade than… Santa! No, he’s not one of those wearing a ton of makeup or a fake beard Santa. He’s the real deal! And he takes his time to greet the kids. There are several floats, all of them accompanied by a group of dancers/performers in costumes complete with LED lights, all of them cheerfully dancing to their own Christmas carol soundtrack.

Be Informed

The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade happens every Saturday of December, with the last parade on Christmas day.

Parade starts 5:30 pm at the North Arcade (that’s the area near IMAX, just in front of Starbucks), goes around the front of the mall to the South Arcade, then stops along the length of Seaside Boulevard, around seven-ish, for the fireworks display.

There are loads of Parking space. They converted most of the vacant lots near the One E-com Center to serve this purpose. It’s getting there that can be frustrating.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t that crowded. Well, there were a lot of people, but it wasn’t packed-like-a-sardine crowded.

Like most who came to see The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade, you’d probably want to stay and see the fireworks display. You can pass the time at the SM by the Bay area. There are loads of rides for the kids, a food bazaar (Fiesta Bahia) and even free Zumba lessons! I suggest taking the route behind IMAX to get there. The elevated pedestrian crossing gets really, really, REALLY crowded.

SM MOA Night of Lights 2023

SM Mall of Asia’s Night of Lights is back on its third edition. This year, more than 3 million lights that play music will enable guests to explore several pop-themed zones:

• Jingle Bell Swings
• Christmas Tunnel of Lights
• Field of Holiday Lights
• Holly Jolly Station
• Magical Glow Globes
• Merry Melodies

SM MOA Night of Lights Park is located atop Level 3, South Entertainment Mall. Main entrance to the park is near Life Four Cuts. SM MOA Night of Lights Park is open to the public. The parks opens at 5:30 pm until mall closing. Last admission is 30 minutes before mall closing. SM MOA Night of Lights Park will run from November 16 to January 7, 2024.

SM MOA Night of Lights 2022

SM Mall of Asia’s Night of Lights has become an annual event. Dubbed as the biggest Christmas drive thru experience in the Philippines. This year, MOA Night of Lights partnered with Disney Philippines.

• 7 Disney-themed installations
• 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm (except on December 24 and 31)
• Will run from December 1, 2022 to January 8, 2023
• MOA Concert Grounds
• Registration needed to enter the grounds (MOA Night of Lights booths installed within the mall)
• Single receipt purchase (amount not yet announced – 2,000 last year) required to enter the grounds
• Tram is available for those who came without cars

Final Thoughts

I’ve been wanting to see The SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights Parade since I first learned of it last year. Yeah, it has been happening yearly since 2008 and I only heard of it last year. What cave have I been hiding in? It was worth it.

This is a great family activity. Staying late after the parade really is the best option. You get to see a wonderful, free show and there are tons of other activities to be had at the mall complex. And there’s less traffic to contend with.

Updates

17 October 2015 – 2015 SM MOA Grand Festival of Lights Parade Schedule: 05-21 December 2015, Saturdays

29 November 2018 – 2018 SM MOA Grand Festival of Lights Parade Schedule: November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 25

07 November 2019 – Since this post have been getting a lot of traffic these past few days, I thought it needed an update. I have sent a message to SM MOA’s facebook page asking if there is still a Grand Parade of Lights this year and the schedule. Will update as soon as I hear from them.

21 November 2019 – SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) Grand Festival of Lights 2019 schedule: November 30, December 7, 14, 21 and 25, 2019 | 5:30 pm | North and South Arcades

17 December 2019 – Adding schedule for Mall of Asia’s Giant Balloon and Mascot Parade: 4 pm, North and South Arcades, Grand Finale at Seaside Boulevard | Mascot Meet & Greet, 6 pm at the Music Hall

03 December 2020 – I haven’t seen any posts on Mall of Asia’s facebook page regarding this year’s schedule of the annual Giant Balloon and Mascot Parade. Or if there will be any at all, due to the pandemic. They, however, will be holding a MOA Holiday Fireworks Display on the following dates: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and January 1, 7:00 pm at the Central Park, SM by the Bay.

17 December 2020 – SM Mall of Asia’s (MOA) facebook page just announced that the fireworks display on December 18, 19, 25 and 26 have been cancelled due to technical reasons.

24 December 2020 – SM Mall of Asia’a lights drone show schedule is on December 25 and 26, 7 pm at Central Park, SM by the BAY.

29 December 2020 – SM Mall of Asia will be having a Grand Balloon Display on January 1, 2021 from 10 am to 10 pm at the Seaside Blvd. Drone Show at 7 pm.

29 November 2022 – Added details on SM Mall of Asia’s Night of Lights 2022.

30 November 2023 – Added SM Mall of Asia’s Night of Lights 2023 details and schedule.