City opens European-themed Christmas market at the Rose Garden

As the Summer Capital’s temperature dropped to 13 degrees, the City Government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the Baguio Tourism Council formally opened the Baguio Christmas Market at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park, last December 5, followed by a dazzling fireworks display and festive performances by local universities and schools.

This year’s showcase is inspired by the European Christmas market since the city is hoping to join the Excellent European Christmas Market Association (EECMA).

City tourism officer Alec Mapalo said that around 53 chalets and exhibitors combined joined the market.

“When we were preparing, we were at 53 pero [in] different sizes kasi depende sa space and location na kinuha ng ating exhibitors. So we have small ones, medium, and large ones,” he stated.

At the opening, visitors were immersed in festive performances by the Baguio Metamorphosis, Allonge Dance Studio, Baguio City National High School – Special Program of the Arts (BCNHS-SPA), Ballet Baguio, SLU Dance Troupe, and University of Baguio Graces.

This was followed by a fireworks display that lit up the sky while the lights around the market lit up simultaneously.

The Christmas Market offers locals and tourists a variety of culinary delights, from pastries to rice meals and refreshing drinks, as well as fun rides like a carousel, mini train, and jet, food carts along the biking lane, and other products like clothes and decorative items.

Debs, one of the activity’s exhibitor, said: “Syempre, karamihan ng mga nagnenegosyo, ito yung pinaka-inaabangan na mga event, ang Christmas season, kasi mas excited yung mga tao pag Christmas.”

The Baguio Christmas Market is open to the public from 10 AM to 10 PM, Mondays to Thursdays, from 10 AM to 12 PM, Fridays to Sundays, and will run until January 18, 2026. – Jaeda Pad-eng, PIO intern / Gaby Keith