The iconic Araneta Center giant Christmas tree will once again twinkle against the night sky starting November 17, Friday, when the much-awaited annual tree lighting event marks the beginning of the merriest time of the year in the city.
The Araneta Center was the first to build the tallest Christmas tree that has become a popular symbol of Paskong Pinoy. Now on its 36th year, the first tree lighting ceremony was held in 1981 and had since become a tradition among families and friends visiting the Center.
This year, the tree lighting will be held in a different spot as the 100-foot Christmas tree moves to a bigger and better location: the Times Square Food Park on Times Square Avenue corner Roxas Avenue near the Araneta Center Bus Station and behind Shopwise. Almost like a little strip of all things Christmas, the new home of the giant tree is also a few steps away from the new location of the Parolan, the favorite bargain destination for Christmas decor. The new location also features a tunnel of lights, an events area, and a new food park where people can hang out and do more than just take selfies.
The tree lighting event is open to the public, with registration beginning at 4 p.m., and pre-show at 5 p.m. Your favorite stars like Vice Ganda, Erik Santos, Kisses Delavin, BoybandPH, and many others will add sparkle to the night’s festivities before the tree lighting and fireworks display. After that, the country’s premier band UDD (UP Dharma Down) will be playing.
The tree lighting kicks off the Yuletide season in the city and Christmas rush will soon be upon us, so this is also the perfect time for Araneta Center to unveil its partnership with a brand new app called Piip. Another first for the Araneta Center, this perfect lifestyle companion boasts of a location-based feature that alerts shoppers within a few kilometers of the Center of flash sales, promos, freebies, and more.
Users then can “shop around” for the best deals within the Center with just a piip of a button, chat with merchants for more info, and even tell their friends about it via its in-app chat. This will certainly level up the shopping, dining and entertainment experience for Araneta Center customers.
For more information on Piip, attendees may visit their booth at the tree lighting event.