Life can feel like an endless cycle of commute, work, doomscroll, repeat. But the thing is, you need to step away from the screen and see what’s happening IRL every once in a while. From getting lost in endless shelves of books and learning the stories behind Manila’s historic streets to dressing up for a Yule Ball or discovering that mahjong can actually be very Gen Z, these side quests are your excuse to log off, breathe, and live a little. Consider this your sign to start taking the side quests that make life a little more interesting.

1. Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)

Calling all bookworms! The MIBF returns to SMX Convention Center Manila from September 9 to 13 with this year’s theme, “Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.” MIBF brings together 100+ exhibitors, authors, publishers, creators, and fellow bibliophiles under one roof. Catch book launches, author signings, talks, workshops, and even a few pop-culture treats—including a discussion on The Beatles’ historic Manila connection. 

🗓️ DATES: September 9 to 13
🕰️ TIME: 10 AM to 8 PM
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://smtickets.com/events/view/18165
📍 LOCATION: SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City

2. Fully Booked Analog Fridays

If your idea of a much-needed R&R includes putting your phone down and making something with your hands, Fully Booked ‘Analog Fridays’ might be your kind of TGIF night. Unleash your inner artist with activities like origami, coloring, scrapbooking, and more. Take this as a sign from the universe to make something cute and romanticize your offline era, even just for a few hours.

🗓️ DATES: September 11, 18, and 25
🕰️ TIME: 2 PM to 8 PM
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: bit.ly/FBAnalogFridays
📍 LOCATION: Hub A, 3rd floor at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street
🎟️ TICKET PRICES/ADMISSION: Free

3. Intramuros Heritage Walk

Instead of simply strolling past Intramuros’s centuries-old walls, plazas, and cobblestone streets, why not join a guided tour and hear the stories that turned the Walled City into one of Manila’s most iconic destinations? From Plaza Roma and Manila Cathedral to Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, there’s plenty to discover on foot. It’s also a great excuse to dress up and embody that main character energy as you spend a slow morning discovering one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.

🗓️ DATE: Saturday, September 26
🕰️ TIME: 8 AM to 11:30 AM
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://forms.gle/VcDbCzfqdpvUrcvk7
📍 LOCATION: Intramuros
🎟️ TICKET PRICE/ADMISSION: PHP 1,000 (inclusive of an Intramuros Passport)

4. LRT-1 Heritage Transit Tour South: Parañaque

Commuting in Metro Manila often feels like a survival of the fittest, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a cultural experience. In partnership with the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the transit tour takes participants through heritage spots and neighborhood landmarks, including the Baclaran Church, the Redemptorist area, and Saint Andrew Cathedral. It’s perfect for curious city explorers who want to see a different side of Metro Manila without actually leaving the metro.

🗓️ DATE: Sunday, September 27
🕰️ TIME: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://forms.gle/VcDbCzfqdpvUrcvk7
🎟️ TICKET PRICE/ADMISSION: PHP 700 (inclusive of a souvenir brochure and full-day unlimited Beep card)

5. Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration

Potterheads, this one’s for you! The ‘Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration’ has arrived in Manila, giving you the chance to step into an evening inspired by the iconic Hogwarts celebration. The approximately two-hour experience features themed decorations, dancing, trivia, wand duels, fashion catwalks, photo opportunities, house activities, and a Yule Ball Market selling official wizarding merchandise. Don’t worry, formal or wizarding-inspired attire is encouraged—which means you finally have an excuse to go all out with that Hogwarts-core outfit.

🗓️ DATE: Until December 2026
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/Show.aspx?sh=HPYBEXP26
📍 LOCATION: The Space at Solaire, Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Parañaque City, Metro Manila
🎟️ TICKET PRICE/ADMISSION: Starts at PHP1,587

6. Candid Club ‘Game Show Night’

If you think you and your friends could survive Jeopardy!, Family Feud, and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, this is your chance to prove it. Candid Club’s ‘Game Show Night’ is packed with team challenges, rapid-fire rounds, and puzzles. And yes, the winner (or winners) gets trophies and goodies from gourmet ice cream brand Carmen’s Best.

🗓️ DATE: Sunday, September 19
🕰️ TIME: 6 PM to 10 PM
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://luma.com/hfiesuhk
📍 LOCATION: Polilya | Craft Beer and Cocktails in Makati City
🎟️ TICKET PRICES/ADMISSION: 

• Member Rate – PHP 500 (per person)
• Non-member Rate – PHP 750 (per person)
• ​Team of 5 – PHP 3,000 (save PHP 500)

7. Mahjong Maven Club’s Tiles and Tea

Come for the tiles, stay for the tea and non-stop kwentuhan. Mahjong isn’t just for your titos and titas anymore. Tiles and Tea has been bringing the classic tile game to Gen Z and turning it into a social experience where meeting new people is part of the fun.

🗓️ DATE: Saturday, September 12
🎫 WHERE TO REGISTER/GET TICKETS: https://form.jotform.com/mahjongmaven/tiles-tea
📍 LOCATION: Lazy Suzy, 6th floor, Podium Social, The Podium, Ortigas
🎟️ TICKET PRICE/ADMISSION: PHP 2,000 (inclusive of food and drinks)

8. Your Next Theater Date: From “The Notebook” to “Bongga Ka, ‘Day!”

Swap another Netflix binge-watch for an actual night at the theater. Manila’s theater scene has plenty on its calendar, from the romance and heartbreak of The Notebook to the Shakespearean magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the unmistakably Filipino fun of Bongga Ka, ‘Day! It offers an immersive experience that streaming can’t replicate: watching the story unfold right in front of you. Check the TheaterFansManila calendar for current show schedules, venues, and ticket details before heading out.