There’s a whole bunch of exciting events lined up for us this May, and we’re just getting started. If you’re in the mood to get out of the house, socialize, and make new memories that’ll last a lifetime, then you’re in luck. These must-try activities are guaranteed to help you enter your “booked and busy” era.
Photo: Jessica Sanchez, Sitti Navarro-Ramirez/Instagram
From star-studded concerts to empowering art showcases and trendy food pop-ups, there’s a special gathering for everyone to partake in this week that’s definitely worth your time and energy. Who knows, new connections might also await you at the venues that tickle your fancy.
Are you ready to have a productive and fruitful rest of the week? Here are nine events across the metro that you wouldn’t want to miss:
MANA by the Silaw Artist Collective
Creativity, advocacy, and purpose are at the heart of MANA, an art exhibit by the Silaw Artist Collective that runs from May 7 to 30, 2026. Together with the Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining, this empowering initiative strives to champion environmental protection amid global disruption and everyday adversities.
You can support various participating Filipino artists, community leaders, and advocates at MANA by visiting the exhibit at the Open Gallery of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The Brew and Whisk Club: A Coffee and Matcha Festival
Ready to satisfy your “sweet treat” cravings, explore the hottest matcha trends, and secure your much-needed coffee fix? The Brew and Whisk Club has all of that and more at its Coffee and Matcha Festival, happening from May 11 to 17, 2026.
Meet up with fellow matcha lovers and discover a wide variety of local merchants at this hearty week-long pop-up at the One Ayala Concourse, Makati City.
Heatwave Bazaar: A Summer Matcha Fest
More fun-filled matcha ventures await us this week at Heatwave Bazaar, a curated summer pop-up by The Social Fair. From May 12 to 13, 2026, you can check out your go-to matcha drinks, try various new summer treats from local businesses, and have some little retail therapy in between. Head on to LYF Malate, Manila City, and check out the Heatwave Bazaar for yourself.
The Archipelago and Angostura Bar Takeover
The Never Strangers bar in Maginhawa, Quezon City, is celebrating two years of success and core memories with an exclusive bar takeover. On May 15 and 16, 2026, visitors can bond and savor their intimate nightlife experiences alongside Vanessa Rabadon of the ARC Elixir Emissary and Mark de Jesus, Brand Advocate at Booze On-line, Inc.
Jessica Sanchez: Live in Manila
Brace yourselves for a homecoming concert like no other! After winning the 20th season of America’s Got Talent, Filipina vocal powerhouse Jessica Sanchez will grace the Araneta Coliseum on May 16, 2026, for her much-awaited concert.
An unforgettable night full of surprises and iconic guests awaits fans, as they’ll also get to see Gary Valenciano, Darren Espanto, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Morissette, Martin Nievera, James Reid, and Vice Ganda onstage.
Nostalgia: Angat Kalikasan Pilipinas’s Fourth Anniversary Benefit Gig
Your favorite artists and bands in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) will share the stage for the fourth anniversary of the environmental advocacy group Angat Kalikasan Pilipinas. All ticket purchases are directly dedicated to the Ati community’s legal defense fund. You can support this meaningful concert on May 16, 2026, at Street Kohi, Quezon City.
Rev Up: A Summer Street Party
If you want to let loose and party like there’s no tomorrow, then Z Hostel’s Rev Up is right up your alley. On May 16, 2026, you can partake in a “massive night” of epic DJ sets, live performances, pop-ups, and street games at Poblacion, Makati City. Gates open at 7:00 PM, and entrance is free for adults.
Summer in Lokale
A summer marketplace at the heart of Quezon City? Sign us up! The Lokale, together with the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Junior Marketing Association (UP JMA), is turning UP Town Center into a must-visit bazaar, open on May 16 to 17, 2026. The vibrant weekend hangout celebrates community and innovation by spotlighting local brands and entrepreneurs who are breaking boundaries in fashion, food, and art.
Sitti Navarro-Ramirez’s Sittiscape: The City of Bossa Concert
The “Queen of OPM Bossa Nova,” Sitti Navarro-Ramirez, is back for a heartfelt show that highlights her greatest hits. Sittiscape: The City of Bossa is happening on May 17, 2026, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Special guests include Ice Seguerra, Jason Dhakal, Nyoy Volante, Ebe Danel, and many more.
Which events are you planning to attend with your friends and loved ones this week? Share your picks with us in the comments below!