Media Noche is the Filipino New Year’s Eve feast eaten at midnight.
The Spanish phrase Media Noche means “midnight.” In the Philippines, it refers to the family meal served as the old year changes into the new one, commonly bringing relatives together around a table. The meal is both a celebration and a hopeful ritual for prosperity in the coming year.
Foods vary by family and region. Commonly discussed traditions include round fruits, noodles, rice cakes, and dishes prepared in abundance. Round fruits are linked symbolically with coins, while long noodles may be associated with long life. These meanings are customary rather than rules that every Filipino family follows.
Media Noche is distinct from Nochebuena, the Christmas Eve meal. The Philippines has a long history of Spanish cultural influence, which helps explain the Spanish name, but the midnight feast is part of contemporary Filipino family celebration and local custom.