Panagbenga Festival 2025 in Philippines

Panagbenga, a vibrant flower festival celebrated annually in Baguio City, spans from early February to early March, turning the city into a colorful showcase of nature and culture. The festival’s name, “Panagbenga,” is derived from the Kankanaey language of the Indigenous peoples of Northern Philippines, meaning “season of blooming.” It honors the region's rich heritage, celebrates the abundance of its floral blooms, and symbolizes renewal and resilience. Rooted in local traditions, Panagbenga has evolved into a major cultural event, attracting both residents and tourists who come to enjoy the parades, floats adorned with flowers, and cultural performances.

Festival Highlights

The festival showcases the natural beauty and traditions of Baguio and the Cordilleras. Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition takes place at Burnham Park, around a skating rink and picnic area. The main highlights of the festival are the Grand Float Parade and The Grand Street Dance Parade taking place in early March.

Main Parades

The Grand Float Parade goes from Upper Session Road to the Melvin Jones Football Grounds. A visitor can see dozens of floats decorated with thousands of fresh flowers, followed by marching bands and local groups. The Grand Street Dance Parade also includes colorful floats, but its main focus is the dancing groups competing with each other. The parade starts at Panagbenga Park, South Drive, and goes to Upper Session Road Main Thoroughfare and Melvin Jones Football Grounds.

Other Events & Activities

Other events of the festival include flower exhibitions, competitions, street dancing in flower-inspired costumes, and activities promoting the history and traditions of the Cordillera region. Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Session Road in Bloom, School-Based Landscaping Competitions, Little Miss Panagbenga, and Fluvial Parade at the Lake—all these events take place during the month-long festival. The grand aerial fireworks are usually displayed to conclude the festival.

History & Significance

The Panagbenga Festival began in 1995 as a community-driven initiative to help Baguio City recover from the devastation of the 1990 earthquake. Organized and managed by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), the festival aims to revitalize tourism in Baguio and the Cordilleras by celebrating the region’s history, culture, and traditions through various events, exhibits, and activities, all conducted with a focus on environmental sustainability.

The festival aspires to be recognized as the “Best Festival” in the Philippines, serving as a benchmark for excellence in organizing similar cultural celebrations across the country.

If the colorful festivals of the Philippines captivate your interest, take a closer look at the Higalaay Festival—an annual celebration in Cagayan de Oro that highlights friendship, community, and local traditions.