Heading to Baguio this February? Here are the road traffic information and schedule of activities for Panagbenga 2023
Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival is set to return in its full glory this 2023!
After its 2022 comeback with restrictions, Baguio’s most awaited flower festival is ready to make the city bloom with fun-filled activities to be held from February 1 to March 5.
If you plan to experience the vibrant festival, make sure to plan your itinerary ahead and accordingly to make the most out of your stay in the City of Pines.
Road closures
The festival will kick off with a grand opening parade happening on Wednesday, February 1. It will start at the Panagbenga Park and end at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.
Several roads in Baguio City will be closed from 7 a.m. until the duration of the parade, including both lanes of Session Road, South Drive, North Drive, Kalaw, part of Abanao, Shanum St., Abad Santos Drive and Lake Drive.
Take note as well that all PUVs and private vehicles shall be expected to follow the "Drop, Pick, and Go" scheme since local authorities will strictly tow vehicles found parking on the parade route.
For the rest of the festival activities, here are the road closure effective starting February 1 up until its closing ceremony on March 5.
All roads in and around the central business district will be temporarily closed, including Session Road, South Drive, Magsaysay Avenue, Harisson Road, Lake Drive and Mabini Street.
Motorists can also refer to the online traffic mitigation system, which uses QR codes to find information about closed roads, designated parking lots, and alternative routes.
Schedule of Activities
After almost three years of hiatus due to COVID restrictions, visitors of this year's Panagbenga festival can expect the return of the grand street dance parade on February 25. The festival will be concluded with a grand fireworks display on March 5 after its awarding and closing ceremony.
Visitors can also enjoy different flower landscapes during the Panagbengascapes Professional Landscaping competition and exhibition that will be held from February 1 to 5, and the school-based landscaping competition on February 11, 14, and 15. They will also join the grand opening parade.
Mardi Gras at the Lake will be held on February 19 at the Session Road to Burnham Lake, while the Grand Float Parade will be held on February 26, which will start from Session Road and will end at Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds.
This year's theme is A Renaissance of Wonder and Beauty. 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.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong shared that this year's festival will return in "full-blast, “We will proceed as planned with the celebration and there will be no holds barred and letup. I see no hindrance so far, kaya full blast at go na tayo,” he said during the launch of the Flower Festival at the city hall in December.
According to the local authorities, a total 1,650 police officers will be deployed to keep the peace and order during the festival.
Check out the Panagbenga Festival's Facebook page and the Baguio City Public and Information Office Facebook page for more information.
