Calle Real Night Market Returns for Christmas

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

The Iloilo City government announced that the Calle Real night market would return early for the Christmas season from Friday to Sunday, November 15 to 17.

The night market was initially held on August 16-18 and 23-25 to celebrate the city’s charter anniversary.

The event attracted 15,000 patrons and generated over PHP 1.275 million in sales, according to city data.

Architect Wilfredo Sy, technical lead for events at the Iloilo City Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center, said they aim to expand the market to 100 stalls, up from 70 in August.

Target vendors include ambulant sellers, barbecue stalls, non-food vendors, street performers, food sellers from the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants, and Resorts Association, Kaon Ta Iloilo, and local farmers from Merkado Lokal.

Performances will include local acoustic and band acts, Dinagyang ILOmination tribes, Christmas carolers, drag shows, a dog show, and buskers.

Sy cited the early Christmas celebrations, 13th-month pay disbursements, and the frequency of Christmas parties in December as factors in choosing the November dates.

“We start celebrating Christmas during the ‘Ber’ months, and we’re also looking at this strategically because 13th-month bonuses start arriving in November. November 15 is a payday weekend, so we want to take advantage before budgets tighten,” Sy said.

Sy noted that December’s numerous Christmas parties could impact attendance if the market were held later.

Vendors are also encouraged to adjust prices, as previous patrons had raised concerns over pricing. Sy reiterated that vendors now better understand the crowd and could be more budget-conscious.

“For vendors, they also look forward to recouping their expenses. Maybe this time they could adjust their prices to be more affordable,” he said.

The stretch of Calle Real (J.M. Basa Street) from M. Peralta to Mapa streets will be closed to accommodate stalls. Guanco, Mapa, and Peralta streets connecting to Rizal and Muelle Loney streets will also be closed to foot traffic.

Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon approved City Regulation Ordinance No. 2024-222 on October 30, authorizing road closures for the night market and the city’s New Year’s Eve countdown.

Interested vendors can register with the MICE Center until November 13. Stall fees are PHP 4,500 (or PHP 1,500 per night). Selling hours are 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.