Nelson Morales

From NYE countdown to fancy feast: 4 ways to welcome 2026

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><strong></strong></div><p><strong></strong>Want to ring in the New Year outside of your home? Here are some ways to celebrate. </p><div><strong>Join a NYE countdown party </strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767093453749Welcome 2026 at Makati in Full Color - Ayala Avenue New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2026 (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Handout</span></span></span></div><p>Ayala Land, the local government of Makati, and Make it Makati are inviting the public to welcome 2026 with its New Year&#x27;s Eve countdown at Ayala Avenue starting at 6 p.m. on December 31. </p><p>Rock icon Ely Buendia and chart-topping band Cup of Joe will headline the event, which will also feature Morissette, Juan Karlos, Sofronio Vasquez III, Divine Divas, and Theater Group Asia’s &quot;A Chorus Line.&quot;</p><p>As the clock strikes midnight, the Makati skyline will come alive with a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by a Filipino version of the ball drop. This will be followed by a street party with beats by DJ Cupcakes, and an after party at the Ayala Triangle Gardens with Studio Dance Club. </p><p>This NYE countdown is open to the public for free, with the option of buying VIP tickets via TicketWorld for access to a dedicated lounge with buffet dinner and prime viewing areas. More details are available on Make it Makati on Facebook.</p><div><strong>Have a fancy feast </strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17670933123691. Crystal Dragon - Sea Scallops Tossed with Celery Heart in pepper truffle sauce.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Handout</span></span></span></div><p>City of Dreams Manila whets up the appetite for festive dining at its signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Haliya, Nobu Manila, and The Café, with special menus inspired by the spirit of the season. </p><p>Crystal Dragon has a 7-course family set until January 1, 2026 for lunch and dinner at P36,000. The menu, good for 4 to 6 persons, includes a combination platter of Wok-fried Green Lobster with XO sauce and Stuffed Tiger Prawn with spinach and crabmeat egg white sauce; Double-boiled Abalone, Fish Maw, Dry Scallop and Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with chrysanthemum tofu in consommé; Steamed Live Sea Grouper in sour broth with fresh enoki mushroom; Shanghainese-style Braised Duck in caramelized five spice soy sauce; Sea Scallops Tossed with Celery Heart in pepper truffle sauce; Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with wild mushrooms and smoked honey-glazed pork belly; and Steamed Taro-shaped Lava Custard Bun.</p><p>Haliya, on the other hand, has a &quot;Bagong Taon&quot; a la carte menu available for dinner on December 31 and January 1, 2026. This includes Pulpo Tocino with char-grilled cauliflower, pumpkin puree, roasted bell pepper, pickled kamias, mesclun, and microgreens; Sopas with sous vide chicken breast, sweet potato gnocchi, celery, carrots, and asparagus; Beef Mechado consisting of slow-roasted Angus beef tenderloin, potato truffle puree, chorizo salsa, and grilled eggplant; and Coconut Foam or a medley of crème caramel, persimmon, sugar palm fruit, mango, berries, kiwi, and coconut cream spuma (foam).</p><p>Nobu Manila is offering a 5-course New Year Omakase menu on December 31 and January 1, 2026 at P6,653.57 net per person. This features a chef&#x27;s choice of zensai; Octopus Sashimi with lemon, ginger, and aji amarillo; Nobu-style Nigiri and Wagyu Inaniwa Noodles with Japanese negi (leeks); Grilled Lobster with nashi pear, dry miso, crispy yuba (tofu skin) and chives; Grilled Wagyu with truffle amazu ponzu, crispy onion, and truffle; and Watermelon Pavlova with meringue, fresh berries and watermelon sorbet.</p><p>The Café is making the New Year&#x27;s celebration exceptional with its December 31 lunch and dinner buffets, with the latter offering two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. A live band and a DJ rev up the mood at dinner leading to a special countdown at midnight. Lunch is at P3,150, while the dinners are at P4,288 (first seating) and P4,988 (second seating). The package is inclusive of free-flowing house red and white wines, draft beer, soda, iced tea, juices, coffee, and tea.</p><p>More details are available on City of Dreams Manila&#x27;s website.</p><div><strong>Go on a staycation escape </strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767093280708PHOTO 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Handout</span></span></span></div><p>This New Year&#x27;s Eve, Kingsford Hotel Manila invites guests to a staycation escape from check-in to the final countdown.</p><p>Guests can try the New Year&#x27;s Eve Holistay package which includes an overnight stay, buffet breakfast for two at Kingsford Café, and a festive dinner. There&#x27;s also the New Year Countdown Party Stay which includes overnight accommodations, buffet breakfast for two, and exclusive access to the Roar into 2026: Jungle Beats Countdown New Year&#x27;s Eve Party at the Grand Ballroom.</p><p>Both packages come with special dining discounts across food and beverage outlets and access to the hotel&#x27;s leisure facilities such as the swimming pool, fitness center, steam, and sauna.</p><p>For reservations or inquiries, contact (02) 8888-6388 or (0917) 859-5307.</p><div><strong>Shop till you drop </strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767093538329CHRISTOFLE Mood Set of 24 Flatware Rosegold.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Handout</span></span></span></div><p>Welcome 2026 with beautiful finds and timeless pieces at Rustan&#x27;s end of season sale, which runs until January 11, 2026. </p><p>With offers of up to 50% off, the sale arrives just in time for thoughtful home refreshes, dressing up for the final gatherings of 2025, and ringing in the New Year in style. </p><p>Some of the must-have pieces for women include Self Portrait&#x27;s Chiffon Ruffle Dress, the Natori Chiyo Cotton Dress, the RODO Paris Wicker Bag, and the Aquazzura Latour Sandal 75 Multimetal.</p><p>Noteworthy menswear finds include the Pedro del Hierro Polo Neck Sweater and COTE ET CIEL Sava Sleek Black bag, among others. There are also plenty of options for beauty, homeware, and kids&#x27; selections.</p>

<p>Want to ring in the New Year outside of your home? Here are some ways to celebrate. </p>

Want to ring in the New Year outside of your home? Here are some ways to celebrate.