BAGUIO CITY – After the successful opening of the “Christmas Around the World” holiday attraction of the Baguio Botanical Garden here, spectacular night activities are expected to bring in more locals and visitors in other venues, including Session Road, different areas of Burnham Park, and Malcolm Square.

Business establishments are expected to join in the merry making with decorations in white and yellow, with snowflakes, especially on this city’s main road.
City Planning and Development Officer Architect Donna Rillera-Tabangin said during the regular management committee meeting that the decorations emphasize the cool Baguio climate.
Aloysius Mapalo, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer here, said tourists have been flocking to this city, especially on weekends, thus, pre-pandemic visitor numbers have been reached.
Locals are expected to join in the activities, especially the countdown and lighting of this city’s Christmas tree and mandala-inspired “parol” (Christmas lantern) and lights on Session Road, with city officials and other luminaries.
Alongside shall be the long-awaited, revived after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, Saint Louis University (SLU) lantern parade from Session Road to Melvin Jones Field.
Detailed preparations have been done by SLU for a lantern performance after the parade. A fireworks display is expected from SM City Baguio.
On Dec. 3, a Cool Christmas at the Rose Garden featuring a Christmas-themed food truck showcase, Christmas installations, goodies, open microphone street busking, and artists’ performances opens.
Also on Dec. 3, the Nutcracker parade and ballet concert on Session Road up to Melvin Jones and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) silent drill will be held.
Sundays will have a thematic theme for the whole month of December.
On Dec. 4, there will be an Architects Heritage Deco and information historical board for six buildings on Session Road. According to Mapalo, it shall be a recreation of old Baguio, circa 1900 to 1940s.
On Dec. 11, old Volkswagen cars shall be dressed as Christmas decors. On Dec. 18, pets take center stage on the main street, with buskers (street music performers) and chalk art production.
On New Year’s Eve, a countdown ensues with centralized fireworks will welcome 2023.
Under the theme, different parts of the Baguio Botanical Garden were decorated to show how other countries celebrate Christmas. The popular attraction with an entrance fee of P10 is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.