Celebrating the Holidays: Festive Recipes, Local Shops and Events, and Global Traditions

This holiday season, we are moving from hyper-local (your kitchen) to community (local shops and events) to global (our team member Mae’s Filipino holiday traditions). We hope you enjoy the journey! Please enjoy this guest post from our wonderful assistant Mae.

Filipino Holiday Recipes & Culture from Mae

Even though I am physically distant, working remotely from the Philippines, Liz and Ellie are close to my heart. So when they asked me to share a recipe for one of the best Filipino foods during the holiday season, I knew exactly what to pick—Bibingka! Christmas, or 'Pasko' in Filipino, is one of those seasons in the Philippines that is just so full of lights, music, and great food. We have what is considered the world's longest Christmas season; once the "Ber" months hit in September, the parties begin!

What is Bibingka?

Bibingka is a soft, slightly sweet rice cake, traditionally cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, giving it a subtle earthy aroma and a hint of smokiness. It’s often topped with slices of salted duck egg, grated coconut, and cheese, making it a rich and comforting blend of sweet and savory.

It seems as though Filipino food is a niche waiting to be filled in the Boston area, but if you’d like to get a taste, we recommend trying one of the following places:

• Sinta Filipino pop up at Bow Market in Somerville (limited hours)

• Bright Light Authentic in Quincy

• Bits and Bites Bakery and Café in Saugus

• Kuya’s Cooking offers catering and their menu looks amazing!
  

If you’re feeling festive and want to try making this at home, here is a simple way to bring a taste of the Philippines to your kitchen.

Homemade Bibingka Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice flour (or glutinous rice flour)

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• 2 tsp baking powder

• Banana leaves (for lining the baking pan)

• 2 salted duck eggs, sliced

• Grated coconut and cheese (for topping)

• Butter (optional)

Basic Method

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a round baking pan with greased banana leaves.

2. Mix: Mix rice flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl. Gradually add coconut milk until a smooth batter forms.

3. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan, topping with slices of salted egg. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden.

4. Finish: Sprinkle grated coconut, cheese, and a little butter on top before serving.

Serving Tip: Serve warm, ideally with hot tea or salabat (ginger tea) for an authentic Filipino Christmas experience.

Beyond the Food: Filipino Traditions

While Bibingka is the star of the plate, the atmosphere is set by these beloved traditions:

• The Parol: You’ll see these star-shaped lanterns hanging from every window. They symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and represent hope and the victory of light over darkness.

• Christmas Pinoy Caroling: Caroling is a huge part of the season. Children often go house-to-house with handmade instruments, like tambourines made of bottle caps, singing classic Filipino Christmas songs.

• Noche Buena: This is the grand family feast held at midnight on Christmas Eve. The table is overflowing with food and laughter, serving as the heart of the celebration.

Local Holiday Shopping & Events in Massachusetts

Keeping closer to home, there's so much to see and enjoy this season…but just a few days left for shopping, so don’t wait to check out these local venues!

Holiday Markets & Shopping Spots

• Harvard Square Holiday Fair (Cambridge) – Local vendors, crafts, and gifts perfect for last-minute shopping.

• Somerville Flea Holiday Market – Seasonal edition of the popular Somerville Flea, featuring handmade items and festive foods.

• SoWa Winter Festival (Boston) – A bustling indoor market with local makers, food, and art.

Festive Performances for the Whole Family

• The Nutcracker – A classic must-see during the holiday season, performed by the Boston Ballet.

• Urban Nutcracker (Boston) – A modern twist on the classic ballet with jazz and contemporary dance.

• Holiday Movies & Matinees – Classics like The Polar Express or A Charlie Brown Christmas showing in local theaters or community centers (Eventbrite listings).

Holiday Lights & Community Events

• Somerville Illuminations – A self-guided tour of beautifully decorated homes throughout the city. Families can walk, drive, or bike to see the lights.

• Winterlights – A festive holiday event held at two stunning garden properties: Naumkeag in Stockbridge and Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton.

• Boston Lights – Boston Lights is a magical lantern and light art experience at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston that transforms the zoo into a glowing wonderland of colorful lanterns, illuminated tunnels, and larger‑than‑life light sculptures inspired by animals, nature, and global habitats. 

• Night Lights — New England Botanic Garden – An annual winter light show where hundreds of thousands of lights illuminate the formal gardens, conservatories, and pathways. Visitors wander through a landscape transformed by dazzling light displays that change each year, creating bright, bold, and creative seasonal scenes.

• Mount Auburn Cemetery Solstice Light Display – A unique immersive light and sound experience, perfect for families.

A Season of Connection

Whether you are walking through a market in Cambridge or enjoying a delicious Bibingka, at the end of the day, it is all about one thing, and that is “connection.” We are reminded this time of year that even as our traditions take us to various parts of the world, sharing our time with others through our culture is something that is understood in every tongue. We hope this holiday season gives you an opportunity to pause and make those memories that keep you warm throughout winter.

Maligayang Pasko and Happy Holidays!