The Queen of Christmas Clocked In Early — in Manila, Of Course

Mariah Carey Said “Ber Months? Say Less” and Started Christmas with a bang this last weekend in the Philippines

Only in the Philippines can Mariah Carey sing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in the middle of October and have it feel right on schedule. When she walked onto the stage at the Mall of Asia Arena for her Celebration of Mimi tour, shimmering in a Michael Cinco gown, the crowd already knew what was coming. It wasn’t just a concert. It was a cultural reset. It would also be the first time she sang this Christmas classic on tour.

From the first whistle note to the last high heel twirl, Mariah was in her element. But when those familiar Christmas bells rang out, the arena lost its mind. People screamed, cried, filmed every second. The Queen of Christmas didn’t wait for December. She started it herself, right there in Manila.

There is something beautifully Filipino about that. In this country, Christmas starts when the calendar hits September. By October, carols are already echoing in malls and parols hang in living rooms. Mariah didn’t just understand that energy, she honored it. She tapped into it like she’s been part of the inside joke all along.

She’s always had a soft spot for her Filipino fans. Over the years, she has called them some of her most passionate and loyal supporters, often posting about how “the Philippines always shows up.” In past interviews, she’s said she can feel the warmth and energy every time she performs here, and how she never forgets the love that Filipino Lambs give her. The Manila show proved that love story goes both ways.

Throughout the night, she delivered all the classics. My All shimmered. Obsessed hit hard. But when she closed with All I Want for Christmas Is You, it felt like something more than nostalgia. It was communion. The crowd sang every line back to her, not just as fans but as co-celebrants.

Mariah didn’t just perform in Manila. She joined in. She laughed, waved, played with the crowd. She felt like that favorite aunt who always arrives early to Noche Buena, glamorous but grounded, perfectly in tune with the moment.

By the time confetti rained down, Christmas had officially begun in the Philippines. Not because of the date on the calendar, but because Mariah Carey said so. And if you know anything about how Filipinos celebrate, that’s all the permission anyone needed.