Panagbenga Festival 2026 Kicks Off Grand Parades Today in Baguio — 22 Dance Contingents, 30 Floats, and 2,357 Police on Standby
It's the biggest day of the year in Baguio City. The Panagbenga Festival's Grand Streetdance Parade is happening today, Saturday, February 28, with the Grand Floral Float Parade following tomorrow, March 1. The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) has confirmed that everything is in place for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of the City of Pines' 30th flower festival.
This year's parades feature 22 street dancing contingents and 30 floats, 11 of which are in the large float category. Performers aren't just from Baguio — contingents from Ifugao, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Isabela are also joining, making this truly a Cordillera and Northern Luzon showcase.
Security is tight. Police Col. Ruel Tagel, Baguio City Police Office director, has deployed 2,357 police personnel and volunteers — double the initially planned 1,500 — to handle crowd control, traffic management, and advance command posts across the festival grounds and satellite venues.
The BFFFI has also added a special feature this year: five era presentations showcasing the history and community participation that made Panagbenga possible over three decades. "This will showcase the community participation that made the Panagbenga happen and continue until now," said BFFFI executive committee chairman Anthony de Leon.
For the hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to flood Baguio this weekend, a reminder: public schools have been opened as pay-parking areas to keep cars off the roadsides. Whether you're there for the flowers, the dancing, or the legendary Baguio strawberry taho — enjoy the festival, and dress warm. It's still pine-tree cold up there. 🌸
Source: Manila Bulletin
