On a bright October afternoon at SM Mall of Asia, the Central Atrium transformed into a glowing station for the holidays. The MOA Christmas Express 2026 officially rolled out on October 21, complete with a towering Christmas tree, a cheerful train-inspired display, and a performance by Darren Espanto that filled the space with familiar carols and pure holiday atmosphere.
Families packed the ground floor and leaned over the upper-level railings as the lights came on. The centerpiece tree stood tall amid golden garlands, red bows, and sparkling ornaments. Beside it sat a green locomotive with the SM logo, a red-roofed clock tower, oversized holiday bears, wrapped gifts, and a bright sign reading “The MOA Christmas Express.” The whole setup felt like stepping into a storybook version of Christmas, the kind of place where kids tug on sleeves and phones come out immediately for photos.
Darren Espanto took the stage with the AMP Big Band and brought the kind of polished, joyful delivery that has defined his career. The 25-year-old Filipino-Canadian singer, who first captured national attention as runner-up on the inaugural season of The Voice Kids Philippines, has grown into a steady presence on television and in live shows. That afternoon he mixed classic Christmas songs with material from his own catalog. Accounts from the event note he performed favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “The Christmas Song,” while also delivering “Domino,” the track that helped launch him years earlier. The combination of big-band arrangement and his clear, confident vocals gave the ceremony an easy lift that matched the festive setting.
Around the atrium, Santa and his elves moved through the crowd handing out gifts. Shoppers paused mid-errand to watch, and the balconies filled with people singing along. The lighting itself served as the official starting signal for weeks of holiday programming that will run through early January 2027. Christmas carol performances are scheduled for November 14 and 28 at 5 p.m. in the same atrium. Grand Holiday Fireworks light up the sky every Saturday from October through December, plus Christmas Day, at 7 p.m. Santa meet-and-greets continue on selected dates in November and December, and visitors can join a Postcard Stamp Rally or explore the Merchant Express setup that remains open until mid-January.
The train theme carries through the rest of the mall as well. Installations and activations appear across the Main Mall Station, Entertainment Mall Station, Arcade Station, MOA Sky, and the Central Mall Grounds, mixing photo spots, live performances, and tenant activities. SM Cares also brought back its Buy-One-Donate-One initiative with the Super Pets Club, pairing every purchase of a “bestie” plush with a donation to a partner organization.
The MOA Christmas Express remains open for photos and visits, with the full slate of carols, fireworks, and Santa appearances continuing through the season. For many families in the area, it is already the first stop on their holiday list.
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