Nostalgic Christmas attractions that delighted our childhoods

#Pinned makes it easier for the young Filipino adult to discover the latest stories about fashion, food, travel, gadgets, activities, and shopping.

All our stories are written by young creatives who made it their life mission to know everything there is to know about how fellow young adults can make the most out of their limited down time every day, every week.

Photo by Vernon Raineil Cenzon on Unsplash

As a kid living in the 90s, what were your fondest memories of Christmas? Is it the old shopping malls? Or the old cinemas? Maybe, it’s the old Christmas on Display. Or perhaps, the now-defunct carnivals?

If those made you miss Christmas in the 90s, here’s a look back on some of our favorite holiday attractions that delighted our childhoods.

Old Virra Mall in Greenhills

Are you one of those kids who look forward to a trip to the old Virra Mall after Simbang Gabi? Now known as V-Mall, this mall is one of the 90s Manileño kids’ favorite Christmas shopping destinations.

Remember the time when your parents bought you your ‘pamasko’? Or that time you rode the small choo-choo train with your siblings? And who would forget about the old mall’s Space Age escalator? Admit it: you pretended like an astronaut kid when you rode this escalator.

Christmas on Display in Araneta

Araneta’s Christmas on Display brought smiles on kids’ faces back in the days. This Christmas fixture features life-sized moving mannequins, and as a kid, that’s pretty much what ‘entertainment’ means.

If you grew up in Manila, you probably were once amazed by the display’s animatronics. These mannequins acted out to tell cool Christmas stories, and you might still vividly remember them until today.

Old Movie Theatres in Cubao

Cubao was once teeming with movie theatres that took a huge part of your childhood memory. As a Manileño kid, old cinemas in the metro are so nostalgic. Who doesn’t miss the balcony seating? And back then, you can even stay behind if you missed the start of the movie.

It is also here in old movie theatres that you got to watch your favorite Christmas flicks. Remember when you first watched Home Alone or How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Ah, good times.

Big Bang sa Alabang

Christmas is the time to be merry, and what better way to have fun in Manila than go to carnivals, say, Big Bang sa Alabang? This magical place was a paradise to every 90s kids. Celebrating Christmas with jugglers and clowns and the old rides sure is a treasure to keep.

Manila is also home to many other carnivals aside from Big Bang. There’s Boom na Boom in Pasay, Payanig in Pasig, and Fiesta Carnival in Cubao.

Feeling old yet? We sure do miss those popular Christmas destinations in the 90s. But how about you? What do you miss about Christmas in the 90s?