CEBU CITY — SM Seaside City Cebu welcomed the holiday season on October 16, 2026, with the launch of the SM Seaside Wonder Express, a Victorian-inspired, train-themed Christmas centerpiece at the Mountain Wing Atrium. The celebration coincided with The Great Seaside 3-Day Sale, bringing festive attractions and shopping deals together as Cebuanos began their Christmas preparations.
A Victorian Railway Christmas
The centerpiece is designed around the charm of a railway station, featuring a Christmas tree and festive details that invite visitors to pause amid their usual mall routines. The railway-inspired setting gives families a place to gather, take photographs, and share in the excitement of the season, reflecting how Christmas celebrations often begin with simple moments spent together.
Family Traditions and Giving
For many Filipinos, Christmas is not limited to December 25. The months leading up to the holiday are marked by family outings, gift shopping, and traditions that bring people together. Through the Wonder Express, SM Seaside is adding to these seasonal experiences while giving visitors more reasons to spend time at the mall beyond shopping.
“Beyond the sights and celebrations, Christmas is also a time of sharing,” shared John Brian Tan, Mall Manager of SM Seaside City Cebu. The celebration also highlights the role of giving through SM Cares’ Besties of Joy initiative. Under its “Buy One, Donate One” offer, shoppers can help provide toys to children under the Children of Cebu Foundation Inc., connecting holiday purchases with an opportunity to share with others.
A Season of Wonder and Sharing
The holiday lineup includes Mrs. Claus’ Storytime every Sunday until December 25, 2026, except November 1, at 4 PM at the Mountain Wing Atrium. Santa Claus Meet & Greet takes place every Saturday at 3 PM and 6 PM at the same venue. The SM Wonderland Holiday Squad Meet & Greet runs every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 30, 2026, at 3 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM.
The Sky Park Illumination, titled “12 Days of Iconic Christmas,” begins on October 30, 2026, at 5:30 PM, and continues every Saturday thereafter until December 26, 2026, at 6 PM, 7 PM, and 8 PM. A Holiday Bazaar opens from November 6, 2026, to January 3, 2027, at the Mountain Wing Atrium, offering seasonal finds. The Christmas Day Show is scheduled for December 25, 2026, at 3 PM.
Holiday Activities for Everyone
The Besties of Joy campaign runs from October 12 to December 25, 2026, at the Mountain Wing Atrium. For ₱380 per pair, shoppers take one plushie home and share the other with a child from a partner community. The launch is also part of SM Seaside’s participation in SM Supermalls’ “12 Iconic Christmas Moments,” bringing the mall into a wider nationwide celebration of the season.
The Ultimate Holiday Capital
With its railway-inspired centerpiece, family activities, shopping booths, and charitable initiative, the Christmas Wonder Express offers Cebuanos more than a festive backdrop. It creates opportunities to gather, begin holiday traditions, and remember that the season’s meaning lies not only in its displays but also in the time and generosity people share with one another.
