Undas in the Philippines: All Saints' & All Souls' Day Traditions
Undas — All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2) — is one of the most meaningful family observances in the Philippines: the days when Filipinos visit cemeteries to remember and honor their departed loved ones. Far from somber, it often feels like a warm family reunion at the graveside.
What Undas is about
Families travel — sometimes across the country — to clean and decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles, then spend hours (often the whole day and into the night) together at the cemetery. Food is shared, stories are told, and the atmosphere blends remembrance with togetherness.
What to expect
- Candles and flowers everywhere: cemeteries glow with candlelight and are blanketed in fresh blooms.
- Family gatherings: relatives camp out by the graves with food, chairs, and even tents — it's a communal, all-day affair.
- Heavy travel: the days around November 1–2 see one of the year's biggest provincial exoduses, so expect packed buses, ports, terminals, and highways.
Travel tips
- Book transport early — bus and boat tickets for the Undas weekend sell out well ahead.
- Expect traffic near cemeteries and on highways out of the cities; leave early.
- Bring essentials — water, snacks, candles, cleaning materials, and sun/rain protection for a long day outdoors.
Undas falls on a long weekend in 2026 (Oct 31–Nov 2) — see our 2026 long weekends guide.
FAQ
When is Undas? All Saints' Day is November 1 and All Souls' Day is November 2; many families observe both around the first weekend of November.
What do Filipinos do during Undas? They visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of departed loved ones with flowers and candles, and spend the day together in remembrance.
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