Celebrate Christmas at the Bay: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Get ready to dive headfirst into the most enchanting holiday celebration as Ayala Malls Manila Bay lights up the season with Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.

Imagine a Christmas destination where every sense is indulged: the sweet aroma of freshly cooked custard waffles, the twinkling of fairy lights on Christmas trees, the soft touch of Santa's velvet coat, and the breathtaking burst of fireworks in the night sky.

All these and more await you at the mall's stunning Central Garden throughout the holiday season.

Curated experiences in a breathtaking space  

One unique feature that sets Ayala Malls Manila Bay apart from other malls is its magnificent one-hectare central garden. The space is large enough to turn this expansive mall into the Christmas destination for the holidays, whether visitors come alone or with family and friends.

"This garden, this space, the sheer sprawling nature of it really works for creating memories," Paul Birkett, Ayala Malls chief operating officer, told PhilSTAR L!fe.

"Anywhere else, we'd have built on this. But here, we've left it open. And that's allowed us to [put up] Giftville on one side, a stage for events on the other," said Birkett. "This is the nexus that draws everyone together."

Discover the magic of Giftville

From a high vantage point, Giftville looks like a group of gigantic wrapped packages with bows on top and lights from within. A closer look, though, reveals shops inside these "presents" where visitors can do their Christmas shopping.

The offerings are well-curated, too: pop culture collectibles, Philippine-produced cosmetics, quirky jewelry, bouquets of flowers, handmade leather bags, even bottles of hot sauce with varying levels of spice. For foodies, there are kiosks of coffee and tea, sodas, waffles and cookies, ice cream concoctions, and all sorts of iced drinks. Immortalizing it all is a quirky photo booth. 

"We wanted something that really stimulates memories. If I think of anything that resonates in my 60 years, it's Christmas, isn't it? And those sights, sounds and smells, and interactions," said Birkett.

It isn't just the shopping and food choices that make Giftville memorable, though. At night, the "presents" light up, evoking more of the Christmas spirit.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights: A spectacle of light and sound

The unveiling of “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” on November 29 was nothing short of spectacular.

As Birkett and Mae Dichupa, head of marketing for Ayala Malls, plugged in the lights, the entire garden came to life. A 3D LED feature at one end illuminated the space with fun holiday scenes, breathing life into Giftville and Christmas at the Bay. The celebration continued with the signature Garden Ring light show and closed with a glorious fireworks finale.

Centerstage, Dionela's heart-thumping performance had the audience on their feet, followed by the highly anticipated set of Eraserheads alum Ely Buendia.

Although the gig was just for that one night, the aura of excitement it left lingers in Christmas at the Bay. When the garden is completely lit, with all the Christmas trees glittering, and every hedge bedazzled with twinkling lights, the scene transforms into a magical, larger-than-life snow globe. It's something for the whole family to see.

"It doesn't matter what tribe you belong to. There is something here that will resonate. And that's what makes [Ayala Malls] Manila Bay successful. Spend a while, spend an hour or 8," said Birkett.

Watch the light show at Ayala Malls Manila Bay every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, until Dec. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fireworks go off every Sunday, while Giftville is open daily until Jan. 18, 2026.

Step into the glow of Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, and experience the magic of Christmas at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like Ayala Malls.