All Saints' Day Eve 2026 Countdown

In 2026, All Saints' Day Eve in the Philippines falls on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The observed date is the same as the calendar date, so there is no separate “observed” Monday or Friday to plan around. This timing places the eve immediately before All Saints' Day (Undas) on 1 November, which is one of the most significant days in the Filipino calendar.

Because All Saints' Day Eve 2026 is on a Saturday, many people will not have to take time off from weekday work or classes to travel. Weekend timing often means families can leave for their home provinces on Friday night or early Saturday without disrupting the regular workweek. Some employers that operate on Saturdays may still adjust shifts or offer flexible hours, especially in areas where many staff travel home for Undas.

The Saturday schedule also shapes how people pace their cemetery visits and family gatherings. Many families use the daytime of 31 October to travel, clean graves and set up tents, then stay into the evening or return the next day for the main observances. When you look at a countdown to All Saints' Day Eve 2026, you are essentially counting down to the start of one of the Philippines’ busiest remembrance weekends of the year.

In Filipino life, All Saints' Day Eve, locally also connected with the term Undas or Todos los Santos, is the quiet build‑up to the All Saints' and All Souls' observances. Rather than being focused on costumes and parties, the evening of 31 October is associated with preparing cemeteries, gathering family and getting ready to honor departed loved ones. The English name All Saints' Day Eve and the local usage refer to the same religiously rooted period of preparation.

The tradition grew out of Catholic practices introduced during Spanish colonial rule, when feasts for All Saints and All Souls became central dates in the church calendar. Over time, Filipinos blended these with older customs of remembering ancestors, turning cemetery visits into major family reunions. All Saints' Day Eve became the natural time to clean tombs, repaint mausoleums, set up candles and flowers, and organize offerings for the coming days.

Globally, 31 October is often associated with Halloween, and that influence is visible in Philippine cities through parties and mall events. Even so, the deeper cultural weight leans more toward Undas than Halloween, especially outside major urban centers. For many Filipino families, All Saints' Day Eve marks the shift from ordinary days into a sacred period of remembrance, prayer and togetherness around the graves of loved ones.

Calendar listings describe All Saints' Day Eve 2026 as a national public holiday in the Philippines, but its impact on openings and closures can vary. Many government offices and most schools either close or operate on reduced hours around this period, though the Saturday timing already means regular weekday classes are not affected. Public services may publish specific advisories for the Undas weekend, especially in cities with large cemeteries.

Private businesses typically follow their own schedules for 31 October. Banks that open on Saturdays may keep limited operating hours, while many malls, supermarkets and convenience stores remain open because demand for supplies, flowers and food is high. Shops and stalls near cemeteries often extend their hours into the evening to accommodate visitors, whereas offices in business districts may see lighter staffing or closure.

Daily routines can feel different as a result. Residential areas and some city centers may seem quieter, while transport hubs, provincial bus terminals and roads leading to cemeteries and provincial towns are noticeably busier. Because hours can vary by location and sector, it is wise to check ahead with your bank, school, employer or preferred shops when planning around All Saints' Day Eve 2026.

Families commonly use All Saints' Day Eve to prepare cemeteries and family plots for the main Undas observances. Relatives who arrive on 31 October may sweep and repaint tombs, arrange flowers, place candles and sometimes set up tents or small shelters. Many also take this time to coordinate food, prayers and schedules for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

As evening falls, cemeteries and memorial parks often begin to glow with candles and lanterns, creating a distinctive atmosphere. Some families choose to stay late into the night or even sleep overnight by the graves, treating the space as both a place of remembrance and a family gathering spot. Food is usually shared, stories about departed relatives are retold, and vendors circulate selling snacks, drinks, flowers and candles.

On the religious side, parishes across the Philippines may hold vigil Masses or prayer services on All Saints' Day Eve. In some areas, priests bless graves or lead rosaries in cemeteries on the evening of 31 October, with the fuller schedule of liturgies taking place on 1 and 2 November. Compared with All Saints' Day itself, the eve tends to feel more like a time of preparation, with a mix of quiet work, family logistics and early remembrance.

Planning ahead for All Saints' Day Eve 2026 can make the Undas weekend less stressful. If you work on Saturdays, it helps to clarify your schedule with your employer in advance, especially if you need to travel to another province. Families often try to leave for their hometowns either late on Friday, 30 October, or early on Saturday to avoid the heaviest traffic and crowds.

Errands are easier if done before the last minute. Many people prefer to handle bank transactions, bills and major shopping earlier in the week, since lines can lengthen at ATMs, flower shops and supermarkets as 31 October approaches. On the day itself, expect queues around bus terminals, fuel stations, flower markets and food stalls near major cemeteries, particularly in Metro Manila, Cebu and other large cities.

Weather is another factor because late October still falls within the wetter months in much of the Philippines. Visitors to cemeteries often bring umbrellas, raincoats or waterproof covers for candles and offerings, along with drinking water and light clothing suited to warm, humid conditions. Thinking through transport options, parking availability, meeting points with relatives and a backup plan for sudden rain will help you make the most of All Saints' Day Eve 2026.

International visitors in the Philippines on All Saints' Day Eve 2026 will encounter one of the country's most distinctive cultural moments. Cemeteries and memorial parks can be very crowded yet generally peaceful, with families cleaning graves, praying and sharing meals. The tone is more reflective than festive, so modest dress and quiet behavior are appreciated.

Tourists should allow extra travel time, especially when moving near large cemeteries, bus terminals and main roads leading out of major cities. Some museums, tourist attractions and tour operators may adjust their hours or reduce services over the Undas weekend, while shopping malls and restaurants typically stay open but can be busier in the days before and after 31 October. Checking local schedules through hotel staff or tourism offices is helpful for planning.

Photography and cultural curiosity are welcome when handled respectfully. Asking permission before photographing people, family gatherings or private altars is considered good manners, and keeping valuables secure is sensible in any crowded place. Visitors who want to experience All Saints' Day Eve more deeply can look for public Masses or prayer services announced by local parishes, or simply observe from the edges of cemetery spaces without intruding on family rituals.