by Eksa Jole
At SM City Cebu, “A Celestial Christmas” turns the holiday season into a journey among the stars, with a 30-foot tree, a zodiac-inspired runway show, and a season of celebrations to follow.
Every December, Cebu does Christmas like few places can. This year, the night sky itself has come indoors.
At the official tree lighting of A Celestial Christmas, SM City Cebu switched on its centerpiece: a 30-foot Christmas tree dressed in crystal-inspired ornaments that glow like a canopy of stars. Luminous crescent moons and celestial accents in deep blue and teal frame the display, a departure from the traditional reds and golds of the season. It is a spectacle made for lingering, and for the kind of photos you will want to keep.
A Runway Written in the Stars
The most striking moment of the evening arrived on the runway. Emerging Cebuano designer John Luman-ag presented 12 avant-garde creations inspired by the Twelve Zodiacs, each piece a wearable constellation. Rather than simply decorating the theme, the collection interpreted it through distinctive, sculptural design.
It was also a reminder that the island’s creative talent belongs on a stage this big. Placing a homegrown designer at the heart of the launch gave the evening a local pulse, a celebration of Cebuano artistry as bold as the sky that inspired it.
Who Took the Stage
The tree lighting took place on October 24 at 5 PM in the North Wing Atrium, with a lineup of Cebu performers sharing the evening with the runway show:
- DreamCatchers Live
- Villarica Dance School
- SZHD Dancers
- Los Cantantes Choir
- B&B Models Cebu, alongside the fashion creations of John Luman-ag
What to Do This Season
The tree is only the beginning. SM City Cebu has filled the weeks ahead with experiences for guests of all ages:
- Holiday Characters Meet & Greet: Every Saturday and Sunday, from November 7 to December 25
- Choral and orchestral performances: Local choral groups and orchestral talents perform throughout the season
- Grand Christmas Parade: December 20, a lively holiday spectacle for families and friends • Holiday Bazaar: Upper Ground, Main Mall, open until December 31, for seasonal finds and gift ideas
Giving, Beautifully
Part of the glow comes from giving back. Through Besties of Joy, the annual charity initiative of SM Supermalls and SM Cares, four lovable animal plushies (Sera, Sasha, Maki, and Matty) are available on a Buy 1, Donate 1 basis. For ₱380, you take one plushie home and a second goes to a child in need. This year’s initiative supports Children’s Haven Orphanage, SM City Cebu’s chosen beneficiary. You can find the plushies at the Lower Ground, Main Mall.
It is the kind of souvenir that carries a little more meaning than most.
Plan Your Visit
Where: SM City Cebu (tree lighting held October 24, 5 PM, North Wing Atrium) Tree and celestial display: On view throughout the Christmas season
Weekend meet & greets: Saturdays and Sundays, November 7 to December 25 Grand Christmas Parade: December 20
Holiday Bazaar: Upper Ground, Main Mall, until December 31
Besties of Joy plushies: Lower Ground, Main Mall, ₱380 each (Buy 1, Donate 1)
Whether you come for the tree, the parade, the bazaar, or simply an evening out with the people you love, A Celestial Christmas offers a reason to look up. Come gather beneath the stars, where dreams shimmer and the holidays begin.