CHRISTMAS Day falls on a weekend and it is a perfect time when most of us spend the holiday break with our family and friends either at home or around the city.
If you’re looking for a place within Cebu City that offers good food, refreshments, music, and amusement rides, try these "most-visited" spots during Christmas season.
Fuente Osmeña Circle
The Fuente Osmeña Circle is perfect for families who don’t want to travel far from the city.
Aside from the 125-feet iconic Christmas tree, stalls selling food, t-shirts, slippers, and other accessories are also an attraction in the area. Visitors can also enjoy their meals (or beers) while listening to live music played by local artists.
You might want to visit the area earlier as it will be closed on weekend, December 24 and 25, and will reopen on December 26.
Kasadya sa SRP
Do you like carnival rides? If you do, then Kasadya sa SRP (South Road Properties) is the best place for you.
Every December, Kasadya sa SRP is open to everyone who loves to experience different carnival rides like the ferris wheel, roller coaster, merry-go-rounds, among others.
The carnival, which has food stalls situated outside, is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and is also open on December 24 and 25.
Just prepare P20 entrance fee for each person and fees (ranging from P20 to P50) if you want to enjoy the rides.
Plaza Independencia
While Plaza Independencia is a good hangout during the day as trees provide shade to visitors, it is also a dating venue as Christmas lights brighten the area during the night.
The historic Fort San Pedro that stood inside the park completes the romantic scene.
The park opens at 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Friday and 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.
Night Market
If you’re looking for best deal of clothes, toys, accessories, and other Christmas gift items, head to the night market located at downtown Colon Street (from corner Jakosalem Street up to Mabini Street).
Just don't forget to haggle to get the best deals.
Sugbo Mercado
If you're on a hunt for mouth-watering food and refreshments with reasonable prices, visit Sugbo Mercado.
Sugbo Mercado-SRP Branch will not be open this weekend. But its branch in I.T. Park is open from December 20 to 23 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., while its branch at the Cebu Business Park is open from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight.
All branches will resume their operations on January 5, 2017. (Aljun Cainghog, CIT-University Intern/Sunnex)