Dapitan Market In Manila

Dapitan is the area known for a market for local artifact and factory seconds for home decors in Manila. It’s like a whole sale market, but anyone can go shop there. Small stalls and vendors line up on several streets of the district. During ber-months (September, October, November and December), Dapitan Market turns into a Christmas market. Until I moved to Manila, I have never heard of ber-months and I learned that in the Philippines they are considered a Christmas season.

After we had moved to Manila in 2018, I’ve heard people talk about Dapitan Christmas Market. However, I’ve never made my way out there until recently, a year and a half later. It has been one of those places I felt intimidated to go because I didn’t know where to start. Fortunately for me, my Tagalog teacher planned a language immersion trip to Dapitan at the beginning of November. While we checked out the Christmas Market, we practiced Tagalog to communicate with vendors. They speak English, but using Tagalog was a great way to interact with the locals as well as practice the language.

Having gone to Dapitan twice already (two days in a row!) at the beginning of November, I can say with confidence that it is totally manageable for anyone. I have attached two maps of the area where my friends and I explored with some recommended shops if you are interested. Please scroll down for the maps.

 

Things To Know Before Going To The Dapitan Christmas Market

1. Go to the Dapitan Christmas Market by mid November. After that, it gets more and more crowded.

2. Prices apparently get higher in December.

3. Arrive early in the morning.

They open at 8:00 a.m. On the first trip, I was there shopping with my friends around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. On the second trip, I arrived around 10:30 a.m. on Friday. It was considerably more crowded and overwhelming.

4. Bring cash. If possible, keep smaller bills in your wallet.

5. Wear nice comfortable shoes or sandals. You might be walking around a lot.

6. Bring your own shopping bags. Filipinos are very ecologically conscious.

7. Bring your water bottles.

8. I recommend checking out Kanlaon Street in Dapitan for Christmas shopping. Please see the photos below.

 

48 Kanlaon Street Dapitan Christmas Market

This was the first Christmas Market my friends and I checked out.

 
I purchased those Nutcrackers in white and silver from a shop that is on the far left towards the back inside the 48 Kanlaon Street Market.
 

 

Dinnerware Shops

I saw many dinnerware shops in Dapitan. Most of our dinnerware and serving plates are white. We move around in the world every 3 years. Not only do I love white, but the color is also practical. One color of dinnerware that I could consistently find in all the places we have lived in Okinawa, Indonesia, India and the Philippines, was white.

Anyways, if you just moved to Manila and need cheap dinnerware to set up your life in the new city, Dapitan is the place to go. You can afford a full set without breaking your bank account.

Exterior Of The 48 Kanlaon

 

 

Dapitan Archade

Dapitan Archade was right next to 48 Kanlaon. Archade had many Christmas shops as well. The corridors were narrower. I found some light shops, pottery and ceramic shops, decor shops, and more. The atmosphere was different. I purchased some Christmas lights, pots for succulents I bought in Dangwa, and a few decor pieces. I hope to share my purchases in the future posts.

 

 
If you enter from the left entrance of the building, a light shop is about the midway in the corridor on the left. Their fairy lights are so amazing and very reasonably priced. If you shop for fairy lights, you will quickly realize that they are expensive in any shops in Manila, but these are bargain!
 

 
I purchased two pots from this shop. I replanted succulents and cacti in the pots. (You can see the plants in pots on this blog post.) I also bought a cactus wall decor and a black pug decor. The store is located on the other corridor. When you enter the building from the left, you immediately turn to the right and then to the left. You can see the pottery shop right away.

 

Street Vendors On Kanlaon Street

Wooden Boards and Artifact

I have been looking for inexpensive wooden boards. I found them at the corner of Kanlaon Street and Dapitan Street. You can buy those wooden plates and boards at a fraction of prices you would pay at a regular store in Manila.

 

I hope that you all enjoyed this post. Hopefully this post will help future shoppers to learn about the market and prepare for a visit in Dapitan. You will love treasure hunting in Dapitan!!

 

MAPS OF DAPITAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

 
If you go to Dapitan, you should definitely check out Dangwa Flower Market as well. The two markets are located within a 5-minute drive from each other.

Happy Shopping!