Undas in the Philippines: All Saints' & All Souls' Day Traditions
Undas — All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, on 1 and 2 November — is one of the most important dates in the Philippine calendar, and one of the least understood by visitors. It is not a sombre occasion in the way a Western graveside visit might be. Filipino families spend the day, and often the night, at the cemetery: eating, playing cards, catching up with relatives they see once a year, and remembering the dead in company rather than in silence.
What actually happens
Families clean and repaint tombs in the days beforehand, then gather at the cemetery on 1 November. Candles are lit, flowers laid, and prayers said — and then people stay. Food is brought and shared. Children run around. Card games start. Guitars appear. Some families camp overnight.
The atmosphere is closer to a reunion than a vigil, which is exactly the point: the dead are being included, not mourned at a distance.
The dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| 31 October | Cemetery cleaning peaks; travel out of the cities begins |
| 1 November | All Saints' Day (Undas proper) — the main day |
| 2 November | All Souls' Day |
Both 1 and 2 November are typically declared holidays, and combined with a weekend this frequently produces a long weekend. See long weekends in the Philippines.
The travel, which is the main practical issue
Undas triggers the second-largest internal migration in the Philippines after Christmas. Millions of people travel from Metro Manila and other cities to their home provinces, and the system strains under it.
- Provincial bus terminals in Metro Manila are overwhelmed from around 29 or 30 October. Queues of several hours are normal.
- NLEX and SLEX back up badly, and the northbound exodus can turn a three-hour drive into eight.
- Domestic flights sell out and prices rise sharply.
- Ferries to the Visayas and Mindanao fill.
If you are travelling, book weeks ahead and leave earlier than seems reasonable. If you are staying in Metro Manila, the flip side is that the city becomes unusually quiet and pleasant for a few days.
Cemetery rules
Major public cemeteries impose restrictions during Undas, which are worth knowing:
- No alcohol in most public cemeteries, enforced with bag checks at the gates.
- No videoke or loud sound systems, though enforcement varies.
- Bag inspections at entrances; bladed items and alcohol are confiscated.
- Traffic schemes and road closures around major cemeteries.
- Extended opening hours, often overnight, on 1 November.
The large Metro Manila cemeteries — Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, La Loma, Loyola Memorial Parks — publish their own arrangements each year.
If you are visiting the Philippines
You may be invited to join a family at the cemetery. Accept if you are — it is a genuine gesture and an unusual window into how the country works. Bring food to share, dress modestly and for the heat, and follow your hosts' lead.
If you are simply observing, be careful with photography. A cemetery on Undas is full of people having private moments in a public place. Ask before photographing individuals or family groups.
What to bring
Candles and flowers if you are visiting a grave, water, sun protection, an umbrella for shade, insect repellent, food to share, and cash in small notes. Cemetery vendors sell candles and flowers at the gates, usually at a markup.
FAQ
When is Undas? 1 and 2 November — All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Is it a sad occasion? Not in the way visitors often expect. Families gather, eat, and socialise at the cemetery. It is a reunion as much as a remembrance.
Is it a public holiday? 1 November is typically a holiday, and 2 November is often declared as well.
How bad is the travel? It is the second-heaviest travel period of the year after Christmas. Book weeks ahead and expect long delays on the expressways.
Can you drink alcohol at the cemetery? Most public cemeteries prohibit it and check bags at the gate.
Can I take photos? Be careful. Ask before photographing families — these are private moments in a public place.
Do people really stay overnight? Yes, many families do. Major cemeteries extend hours on 1 November.
Last verified: August 2026. Holiday declarations and cemetery rules vary each year — check local government announcements closer to November.
More: long weekends, the full guides library, or what is on now.