Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary has a wide array of fun and thrilling events to make the celebration more exciting and memorable.

Banda ng Maynila (Brass band of the City of Manila) will kick start the event by playing live music from 6:15 p.m. to around 6:45 p.m.

The Ateneo Chamber Singers will be performing classics, as well as one specially composed song for the event on the Main Stage (Flag pole area of Plaza Moriones) at around 7:30 p.m.

Berklee alums Tess Salientes and Gerard Salonga have prepared a specially composed musical theme for the event, with an incredible fireworks display after the performance.

Camp Suki will be offering kalesa rides, on-the-spot artists who can sketch/draw your portrait (for a fee), and a turn of the century photo complete with costumes.

Gerardo de Leon’s 1961 classic “Noli Me Tangere” will be shown on one of the walls of the ruins of the American barracks, courtesy of CCP and SOFIA (Society of Filipino Film Archivists) who were responsible for the restoration of the film.

Sipat Lawin Ensemble will be performing an avant garde  piece wherein they are going to march backwards from Luneta to Fort Santiago doing a reenactment of Rizal’s execution. They will also be doing pocket performances throughout the evening.

Heroes Square will also do their 30 minute play on Rizal and Josephine Bracken inside the Rizal Shrine and it will remain open all night. They will start after the firework display and the Buhay na Kasaysayan members, dressed in period military uniform, will draw the crowd into Rizal Shrine.

Traditional food from the era in which Rizal lived will be sold by concessionaires Ilustrado, Barbara’s, and Adarna Food and Culture.

The Manila Diamond Hotel is baking a special birthday cake for Jose Rizal, recreating Rizal’s book stand with his Noli Me Tangere placed on top. Rizal’s book stand is being restored by Escuela Taller of Intramuros.

The Lopez Museum will be showcasing  their extensive Rizal collection, and will be on display on the Plaza Armas.

Ticket prices are  P100 per adult and P50 for kids below 12. Entrance is free for guests who will come in period costumes and/or dress as their favorite Noli or Fili characters.