Panagbenga 2017 Updates: Parade Routes, Best Places To Watch, Traffic Updates

Panagbenga 2017 officially started last Feb. 1, when a parade of participating street dancing groups kicked off the month-long festivities. Road closures for Lake Drive and Juan Luna Drive have been in place since then. Landscaping and botanical displays are in place on Lake Drive, while Juan Luna is filled with stalls of Market Encounter.

With the parades fast approaching, Pilipinas Popcorn gives you details on the parade routes and how to find the best place to watch. As more roads will be closed during the parades, we will also provide traffic updates. Tips on what to bring and how to gear up for the parades will also be given

Panagbenga 2017: Parade Routes

The main parades of the festival will be on the weekend of Feb. 25 and 26. On Feb. 25, the Grand Street Dance Parade will showcase different groups and their street dance routines. According to the official website, the parade will start from Panagbenga Park located near the rotonda of Upper Session and South Drive. The parade will then pass through Upper Session Road and continue to main Session Road. It will then turn off near Maharlika along Magsaysay, and turn right to Harrison Road. The parade ends at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.

On Feb. 26, the Grand Float Parade will commence at DILG on Upper Session, proceed to Session Road, then Magsaysay and Harrison Road. Like the Street Dance Parade, the floats will make their final assembly at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.

Panagbenga 2017: Best Places to Watch, What to Bring

Session Road is one of the best places to watch both parades. If you want to set up a watching perch, it is highly recommended you go to Session Road as early as 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. Bring along a mat or anything you can spread for sitting on. Make sure to bring light snacks and water. Also, it is best you set up next to an establishment that has a toilet. If you want to watch the parade from a higher vantage point, try Beans Talk Cafe along Session Road, or any restaurants that have a balcony.

Aside from Session Road, Harrison Road is another good option for watching. Come early as well, as people can start pouring in as early as 5:30 a.m.

Although Baguio temperature has dropped recently, ultraviolet radiation from the sun can still harm you so bring an umbrella and put on sunscreen. Since many roads will be closed to traffic, walking would be the fastest way around the city center before and during the parade. Comfortable walking shoes should be the norm.

Panagbenga 2017: Traffic Updates

The following roads will be closed on the early morning of Feb. 25 and 26: Session Road, Magsaysay (in front of Maharlika) and Harrison Road, until the end of the parades, which is usually until 12 noon. With these roads closed, people can have themselves dropped off near Shanum Street or Abanao Street and walk to Session Road. Starting Feb. 26, Session Road will be closed for “Session in Bloom” which will last until March 5.

Other activities to check out in line with Panagbenga 2017 include the Pasa-Kalye Art Festival. The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation continues to take the lead in organizing Panagbenga 2017 festivities. To check all activities for Panagbenga 2017 click here.