Visiting Baguio this February? Here's what to know about activities, road traffic for Panagbenga 2024
It's that time of the year again in Baguio when the annual Panagbenga Festival makes the city bloom with all sorts of exciting events!
The year, Baguio’s most awaited flower festival will be held starting Feb. 1 up until March 3 and is filled to the brim with exciting activities, including street dancing and float parades, that will surely have you blossoming with joy.
If you're planning to take a short vacation in the City of Pines to relish in the festival, then here are a few things you should know about the schedule of activities and the traffic situation so you can maximize your experience.
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
Workers from the city’s General Services Office continue putting up of banners in key locations to welcome visitors and its residents to the official start of this years month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration. (Photos by Andy Zapata Jr./The Philippine STAR)
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Schedule of activities
The floral float parade and street dancing are just some of the many activities you can expect from this year's Panagbenga Festival.
Visitors can now enjoy the festival's "Panagbengascapes: A Garden Exhibit" and "Baguio Blooms: A Market Encounter starting Feb. 1 up until the last day of the festival.
The Panagbengascapes is a competition and exhibit where you can marvel at some gorgeous landscaping works from professionals in the craft, while the Baguio Blooms is where exhibitors, artisans, and entrepreneurs can display their unique products, crafts, food, and flora.
Other activities you can look forward to include the Kite Flying challenge on Feb. 11, and the Fluvial Parade at Burnham Lake and the Cultural Dance Competition on Feb. 18.
The festival will reach a fitting conclusion with a Grand Aerial Fireworks Display on March 3.
Here is the full list of events:
The Panagbenga Festival 2024 highlights the theme "Celebrating Traditions, Embracing Innovation" for this year's festivities. Panagbenga, a kankanaey word that means "blossoming," first started as a community event in 1995 to boost the city's economy following the 1990 killer earthquake devastation.
Road closures
The Panagbenga Festival will formally commence on Feb. 3 with a grand opening parade and ceremony that will start at the Nevada Rotonda and end at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.
According to a traffic advisory posted by the Baguio City Police Office, several lanes will be temporarily closed to make way for the floral float parade and street dancing, including Session Road, North Drive, Kalaw, part of Abanao, Shanum Street, Abad Santos Drive, and Lake Drive. The closure will last from 1:00 am to 3:00 pm on Feb. 3, 24, and 25.
In a separate advisory, local police also urged PUVs and private vehicles to follow the "Drop, Pick, and Go" scheme, and you should also keep in mind that all vehicles parked along the parade route before 6:00 am will be towed to prevent obstruction of the activity.
In case of emergencies, Kalaw Road and North Drive will be used as entry and exit in going to the Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital, Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Medical Center, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and Baguio Medical Center.
Nevertheless, Baguio City Police assured that there will be visible and approachable police presence throughout the festival that will be placed strategically across key areas.
"We want everyone to immerse themselves in the festivities without a single concern for their safety. You'll see our officers everywhere, ready to assist, ensuring that Panagbenga 2024 is not just an event but an unforgettable experience for everyone," Baguio City Police Office Director Police Colonel Francisco Bulwayan Jr. said.