McKinley Hill revives holiday magic with enchanted Venetian Christmas parade

McKinley Hill is ushering in the festive season with one of Metro Manila’s most awaited holiday traditions, as the McKinley Hill Grand Christmas Parade has returned with the theme “An Enchanted Venetian Christmas: A Parade of Wonder and Light.”

Staged along the Venice Grand Canal and Upper McKinley Road, this year’s parade blended Venetian romance, Filipino craftsmanship, and a modern sustainability message to create an immersive visual and cultural showcase.

Designed as a moving narrative, the parade went beyond performance to deliver an experiential journey through colour, motion, and sound. Floats inspired by Venice’s waterways, enchanted forests, and under-the-sea worlds traversed the township’s European-themed avenues.

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Overhead, towering balloons shaped as mythical guardians expanded the scale and fantasy of the production, turning the township into a glowing festive tableau.

More than 500 performers, character actors, and themed mascots brought the story to life, portraying forest guardians, ocean beings, and Venetian figures. Their choreography highlighted themes of harmony, conservation, and cultural pride - an approach that aligns emotional resonance with a contemporary push for responsible celebration.

“The McKinley Hill Grand Christmas Parade has become a cherished part of the Filipino Christmas experience,” said Graham Coates, first VP and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. “It brings people together and reflects the spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness that define our holidays. Through this year’s theme, we hope to honour that tradition and offer families an experience they can truly celebrate.”

The parade has long stood out as a flagship December attraction, drawing families, friends, and visitors who come for its creativity and festive energy. For brands and retailers, the parade’s ability to concentrate foot traffic and prolong visitor dwell time reinforces its role as a strategic driver of commercial activity across the estate.

Guests experienced the parade on 6 December, then explored the surrounding holiday activities, festive dining, and retail offers across Venice Grand Canal and the wider McKinley Hill community.

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