Every year, dozens of parishes around the Archdiocese of Los Angeles host celebrations marking Simbang Gabi, a Filipino tradition that celebrates the nine days leading up to Christmas with the celebration of the Mass, novenas, and food. This year’s theme is “Journeying together in Christ as pilgrims of Hope.”

The celebration kicks off at the Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. (Pre-procession of Parols begins at 5:45pm) Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez. The Mass will be preceded by traditional music and the Parade of Parols of more than 120 parishes from the five pastoral regions in the tri-county Archdiocese (LA, Santa Barbara and Ventura).

The parols, a Philippine Christmas symbol, will be blessed at the end of the Mass. In the Philippines, the parol is used to light up people's homes and is carried by parishioners attending Simbang Gabi Mass, or "Mass before dawn." The procession will also include parols of religious Filipino-American organizations, civic and professional organizations, and government offices, usually led by the Philippine Consulate General.  (Parking: $12)