Panagbenga in Baguio
A month of flowers in the mountain city, ending with street dancing and floats covered in blooms.
Quick answer
- When: the whole of February into early March. Organisers announce the dates each January.
- The big days: the Grand Street Dance Parade and the Grand Floral Float Parade, on the last weekend of February or the first of March.
- Where: along Session Road and Harrison Road, ending around Burnham Park and the Melvin Jones grounds.
- The name: 'season of blooming' in the Kankanaey language of the Cordillera.
- Also on: Session Road in Bloom, when the main street closes to traffic and fills with stalls.
Panagbenga, the Baguio Flower Festival, fills the mountain city with blooms through February. The name means “season of blooming” in Kankanaey, a language of the Cordillera. The festival began in the mid-1990s to lift spirits after the 1990 earthquake that badly damaged Baguio, and it has become one of the country’s best-loved events.
It all builds to one weekend: a street dance parade of performers in flower-inspired costumes, then a float parade of huge floats covered in fresh flowers, rolling down Session Road.
When is Panagbenga 2027?
The festival runs through February into early March. The organisers, the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, announce the full schedule each January. For reference, in 2026 the festival opened on 1 February, the Grand Street Dance Parade was on 28 February and the Grand Floral Float Parade on 1 March.
What happens
- The opening parade at the start of February.
- Session Road in Bloom, when Baguio’s main street closes to cars and fills with food, crafts and flower stalls.
- The Grand Street Dance Parade, with dance groups in bright costumes.
- The Grand Floral Float Parade, the highlight, with floats decorated with chrysanthemums, roses, sunflowers and more.
- Closing fireworks to end the festival.
Where to watch
- Session Road and Harrison Road for the parades. Arrive before dawn for a front spot.
- Near Burnham Park and the Melvin Jones grounds, where the parades end and floats are often displayed afterwards.
Tips
- Book rooms and buses early for the parade weekend.
- Dress in layers. Mornings in Baguio are cool in February.
- Walk. Traffic in and around the city centre is heavy.
- Come midweek if you want gardens and markets without the crush.
Make a trip of it
Spend a few days in Baguio, then head north to Sagada or the rice terraces. See our Baguio and the Cordilleras guide.
Parade dates and routes are announced each January. Check the official schedule before you book.
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
When are the Panagbenga parades in 2027?
The 2027 dates had not been announced at the time of writing. In 2026 the street dance parade was on 28 February and the float parade on 1 March, and organisers usually confirm the schedule in January.
Why did Panagbenga start?
It began in the mid-1990s to lift the city's spirits and bring visitors back after the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake.
Is it worth going outside the parade weekend?
Yes, if you dislike crowds. Gardens, markets and Session Road in Bloom run for weeks, and hotels are easier to find.
How do I get to Baguio during Panagbenga?
By bus from Manila, booked ahead, as tickets sell out for the parade weekend. Expect heavy traffic into the city.
We checked this guide against the 3 sources listed below. Last updated 14 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
