Christmas in Taiwan feels different, especially when it is your first year away from home. It is not a public holiday here, yet the season still finds its way into our lives. Filipino OFWs celebrate Christmas by blending what we grew up with and what Taiwan offers—city lights, church gatherings, and small moments shared with people who become family.
What Christmas Looks Like in Taiwan
In Taiwan, December 25 is a regular workday. Factories run, caregiving schedules continue, and rest days remain limited. Still, from mid November to late December, cities feel festive. Streets, malls, and train stations light up. There are concerts, pop up markets, and large public displays that mark the season.
There are around 190,000 Filipinos living in Taiwan today. Most of us work in factories, caregiving, and other hands on jobs. Many live in dorms or shared housing. Because of this, Christmas celebrations often depend on shift schedules, rest days, and what is accessible by public transport.
One of the biggest holiday attractions is New Taipei’s Christmasland in Banqiao. For 2025, it runs from November 14 to December 28. The area around Citizen’s Square, Civic Plaza, and Banqiao Station fills with light installations, themed zones, and live performances. For many OFWs, this becomes the easiest and most meaningful place to feel the Christmas spirit.
Finding Christmas Through Faith and Food
For many Filipino OFWs, Christmas starts with faith. Where available, we attend Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. Churches become places not just for prayer, but for connection. Seeing familiar faces, hearing Tagalog greetings, and singing songs we grew up with brings comfort.
After mass, food follows. Recreating Noche Buena is rarely perfect, but it is heartfelt. Bibingka and puto bumbong are not always easy to find, so we adapt. Some dorms organize potluck dinners. Others share food in church halls or small rented spaces. A simple meal becomes special when it is shared.
Even when food is different, the feeling is the same. Laughter, stories, and quick video calls to family back home help bridge the distance.
Enjoying the City on Rest Days
On rest days, many OFWs go out with friends. Christmasland in Banqiao is a popular choice because everything is close together and free to enter. Light shows, music stages, and photo spots make it easy to enjoy the season even if you only have a few hours.
Others visit mall displays or seasonal markets like the German Christmas Market. These outings are often planned around schedules, meeting points near MRT exits, and affordable food options. For many, it is less about the destination and more about being together.
These moments often end with photos sent to family back home. A simple message saying “Merry Christmas from Taiwan” carries a lot of meaning.
Celebrating at Work and in Dorms
Not everyone can go out. Many OFWs work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In these cases, celebrations happen at work or in dorms.
Some factories and care facilities organize small activities. These may include shared meals, lucky draws, or short programs. While simple, these gestures matter, especially for those spending Christmas away from their families.
In dorms, celebrations are often quiet but meaningful. A shared playlist, a group chat video call, or even a short prayer together helps mark the day.
Community Events That Feel Like Home
One of the biggest highlights for Filipino OFWs in Taiwan is Paskong Pinoy events organized by MECO. These gatherings bring together hundreds, sometimes thousands, of Filipinos. There are performances by Filipino artists, choir numbers, raffles, and messages of encouragement.
Recent events in Taipei have drawn around 1,500 to over 2,000 attendees. For many OFWs, this is the closest feeling to a large Christmas gathering back home. It reminds us that we are part of a bigger community, even while abroad.
Common Challenges and How OFWs Adapt
Time is always limited. This is why short outings work best. Many OFWs plan two to four hour trips that fit between shifts or after work.
Budget is another concern. Free events, nearby attractions, and shared transport help keep costs low. Staying within one area like Banqiao reduces travel stress and expenses.
Homesickness is unavoidable. Many cope by joining church groups, attending community events, or setting up virtual Noche Buena with family. Shared playlists, scheduled video calls, and simple routines help maintain connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Christmas a holiday in Taiwan?
No. It is a regular workday, but cities still host festive events and displays. - Where do OFWs usually celebrate Christmas?
Churches, Banqiao Christmasland, MECO Paskong Pinoy events, workplaces, and dorms. - Can you still feel Christmas in Taiwan as an OFW?
Yes. Through community, faith, and small shared moments, Christmas still feels real.
Watch: 1,500 Filipinos gather for Christmas celebration in Taipei
Filipinos in Taipei gathered in large numbers to celebrate Christmas, carrying with them the warmth of home.
They marked the season with giving, reconnecting with friends, and honoring traditions that mirrored celebrations in the Philippines.
Messages during the event highlighted the strong friendship between the Philippines and Taiwan, recognizing the dedication of overseas workers, students, and families.
Officials praised their hard work and positive contributions, describing them as bridges of goodwill that connect both nations.
The gathering closed with music and singing, leaving a lasting reminder of unity and shared joy.
A Christmas That Is Still Ours
Christmas in Taiwan may not look the same as Christmas in the Philippines, but it still carries the same heart. It is found in shared meals, quiet prayers, city lights, and messages sent across borders.
For Filipino OFWs, Christmas is not about where we are. It is about how we show up for each other, even far from home.