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Things to Do in Manila This Weekend: Your May Guide to Music & Culture

From weekend music festivals to cute art markets, here’s your itinerary of major events and cultural happenings around Manila this May

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What are your weekend plans? Photos from Instagram

The month of May, has arrived and we’re excited to see what the events today have in store for everyone waiting for the weekend. From enjoying the loud and noisy trips in Quezon City to the pop-punk cover nights to the more quiet art exhibits located in a hole-in-a-wall establishment in Makati City, there are almost endless choices for you to choose throughout the entire week. We’re four months down throughout the entire year and from the looks of it, 2025 still has a ton of events for everyone from music to other cultural events.

Music

Under my Skin Tour

Jess&Pat’s, Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City
May 2
P 350 per ticket

Float away with lush dream pop vibes at Under My Skin, the single tour launch of Matoki, happening at the ever-cozy Jess&Pat’s this Friday evening. Known for their ethereal tones and introspective lyrics, Matoki promises a heart-stirring acoustic set fit for lovers of sonic daydreams. Sharing the stage is city-pop artist Shanni, whose raw and soulful acoustic sound adds a warm texture to the evening. Php 350 guarantees you an intimate experience with a limited seating capacity.

Indigo Nights (The Story so Far Experience)

Boss Bar, Scout Castor Street, Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City
May 2
P 300 per ticket

Pop-punk fans, it’s time to circle pit your way to Boss Bar for Indigo Nights: The Story So Far Experience. This tribute night to the beloved California-based band delivers raw energy, angsty singalongs, and riffs that hit straight to the chest. Expect faithful renditions of TSSF classics, crowd chants, and maybe even a few stage dives in the intimate chaos of Boss Bar’s floorspace with scene regulars such as Good Morning Towel, False Contender, Forgetting69 and many more.

Dollweb Album Tour

Sari Sari Bar, Washington Street, Makati City
May 3 
P 300 per ticket 

Experience the emotional highs and hazy textures of the Dollweb album tour led by the alternative rock project of Ligaya Escueta, as she brings her album tour to Makati’s Sari Sari Bar. Known for fusing shoegaze-laced instrumentation with confessional lyricism, Ligaya’s music is an intimate journey through melancholy, nostalgia, and catharsis. Opening the evening are (e)motion engine, whose pop-punk melodies deliver a burst of kinetic energy, and the ever-soulful Shanne Dandan. Php 300 guarantees you an entrance at Sari Sari Bar. 

Aurora Music Festival

Clark Global City, Pampanga City
May 3 & 4
P 1,000 per ticket

Set your sights on Pampanga this weekend for the Aurora Music Festival, a sprawling two-day celebration of OPM’s brightest stars and future icons. Headlined both days by the sensational BINI, the festival spans genres from pop to alt-rock to soul. Saturday’s co-headliners include the legendary Rico Blanco and the heartfelt TJ Monterde, while Sunday heats up with crowd-favorites like Cup of Joe, Maki, and Dionela. Mark your calendars this weekend for Aurora Music Festival.

May Da 4th Be With You

Hangout Resto Calle Uno, First Road corner Naguilian Road, Baguio City
May 4
P 350 per ticket

Celebrate Star Wars Day with a cosmic twist at May Da 4th Be With You brought to you by independent promotion What the Fog. The gig will definitely merge fandom fun with fresh musical energy in the mountain city of Baguio. Taking place at Hangout Resto Calle Uno, this Star Wars-themed event features a lineup of new and emerging acts from the local indie and slacker rock scenes, ready to beam their sound straight into your galaxy.

Toto: Live in Manila 

SM Mall of Asia Arena, J.W. Diokno Boulevard, Coral Way, Pasay City
May 4 
P 2,880 / P 4,980 / P 6,680 / P 7,180 / P 8,280 / P 9,280 ticket per section

Legendary pop-rock outfit Toto returns to Manila for one unforgettable night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. With a career spanning over four decades, this Grammy-winning pop rock band from Los Angeles is best known for timeless anthems like “Africa,” “Rosanna,” and “Hold the Line.” Their blend of adult contemporary rock, jazz-infused arrangements, and flawless musicianship continues to draw massive crowds worldwide and now they’re set to bring that signature West Coast sound to Pasay City. 

25 Years of Torete 

Eton Centris Walk, EDSA Avenue, Quezon City
May 24 
Free Admission

A landmark celebration of OPM rock history unfolds under the night sky at 25 Years of Torete, a free outdoor concert honoring Moonstar88’s 25th anniversary. Taking place at the open-air Eton Centris Walk, this once-in-a-generation event sees the beloved alt-rock band join forces with the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra for a symphonic rock experience that promises to be both nostalgic and breathtaking. Known for timeless hits like “Torete,” “Migraine,” and “Gilid,” Moonstar88’s emotionally rich catalog will be reimagined with orchestral arrangements, giving new depth to the songs that have shaped Filipino hearts for decades.

Culture

Alex Calleja – Tamang Panahon Ulit

The Theatre – Solaire Resort & Casino, Aseana Avenue Entertainment City, Parañaque
May 2
8:00 p.m. onwards
Ticket prices start at P1,854. More information is available here

There’s still time to grab your tickets for Tamang Panahon Ulit, a one-night-only comedy show featuring Alex Calleja on May 2, 2025, at 8 PM at The Theatre at Solaire. Known for his sharp wit and hilarious takes on everyday Filipino life, Alex is bringing a fresh set with all-new punchlines, joined by a standout lineup including DJ MOD, Mak Navarez, Dawit Tabonares, and more.

Komiket BGC

Ayala Malls Market! Market!, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig
May 2 to 4
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Entrance is free and open to the public

Komiket BGC is a vibrant Filipino Komiks and Art Market that highlights the creativity of local artists and storytellers. As part of Komiket’s year-round series of events, it features a wide variety of local comics, zines, art prints, stickers, and original merchandise.

‘Liwanag sa Dilim’

CPR Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati
March 7 to May 4
8:00 p.m. 
Ticket prices are available here

Catch the final weekend of Liwanag Sa Dilim, a powerful original musical by 9 Works Theatrical featuring the iconic music of Rico Blanco. Six years in the making, the production follows Elesi, a young man on a journey to uncover his past and fight for the marginalized, with the help of his loyal friend Cris. With standout performances by Khalil Ramos, Alexa Ilacad, CJ Navato, and more, the show delivers a heartfelt story and a nostalgic OPM soundtrack that continues to resonate deeply with Filipino audiences.

KUNG ANIK-ANIK: A Trinkets and Collectibles Art & Merch Market

Bayanihan Center, Pioneer St, Pasig City
May 3
1:00 p.m. onwards
Tickets are priced at P100

StickerCon MNL returns with the second edition of KUNG ANIK-ANIK on May 3 at the Bayanihan Center. This lively event showcases the creativity of local artists through unique stickers, handmade trinkets, collectibles, and more. It’s the perfect spot to discover one-of-a-kind items, support homegrown talent, and enjoy a day filled with art, good vibes, and creative finds.

Via Dolorosa

WHYNoT Manila, Karrivin Studios, 2316 Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
Evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and weekend matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are priced at P1,200. More information is available here

Explore the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in David Hare’s Via Dolorosa, performed and directed by Bart Guingona at Karrivin Studios on May 2–4 and May 9–11, 2025. This one-actor production offers a nuanced, multi-perspective narrative that explores historical tensions, clashing beliefs, and ongoing humanitarian crises. Guingona embodies multiple voices to deliver raw insights into Jewish and Palestinian viewpoints.

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