YULETIDE joy will reach everyone this season with the city and the private sector joining hands.
Baguio Tourism Council, headed by Gladys Vergara as chair and co-chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, has prepared a 40-day calendar of events for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Vergara said events will be enjoyed by everyone for more than a month with a centerpoint at the Burnham Park Rose Garden highlighted by the Baguio Christmas Fair, a European-inspired Christmas Market opening on November 24 to the enchanting music played by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Christmas calendar showcases all events and activities under the umbrella theme “An Enchanted Baguio Christmas”, that will run through from November all the way to December 2019 and ending on January 6, 2020.
The calendar of events include the Baguio Christmas Fair from November 24 to January 6; A Holiday Acoustic Set by Julian and Mikee on November 29; Holiday Flute Show by Elmo Lorenzo Inso on November 30 at the Rose Garden.
On December 1 is the grand launching of An Enchanted Baguio Christmas at 5:30 p.m., switch-on lighting of Christmas Tree at Session Road rotunda simultaneous with Christmas lights up of buildings, roads, overpasses and flyovers; SLU Lantern Parade, Lights and Sounds Show at the Malcolm Square, and Fireworks Display.
At the Rose Garden, on December 7 at 6 p.m., YesUCan The Concert; December 8 at 4:30 p.m., the PMA Nutcracker Parade, featuring Ballet Baguio’s excerpts from the Nutcracker; December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Musikgarten Christmas Party; December 14 at 6:30 p.m., Christmas Gift-Giving, by Mabel Tolentino with Smooth Jazz Band; December 15, Ongkoleyt Day (whole day) and Christmas Choral Festival at 6 p.m.
On December 16 to 24, Anticipated Mass (Simbang Gabi) and Soup Kitchen; December 25, Christmas Day at the Park; December 28, Phoenix Fuels Day; December 29 at 6:30 p.m., The Edralins Show; December 30, Rizal Day commemorative activities at Rizal Shrine; December 31, New Year Countdown.
Events at Malcolm Square include the Cordillera-Japan “Bunka Geijutsu Sai” Culture and Arts Festival, from November 29 to 30; and on December 1, Lights and Sounds Show at 6 p.m.; and Post Show Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m.
On December 8 at 4 p.m., Christmas Concert and Feeding Program by the Covenant city Church; December 9 to 11 (whole day), Merry Pets in the City, by the Baguio Benguet Canine Club, Inc.
On December 12, Munting Anghel, Wish ko Lang Mas Malusog Ka Na (a Gift-Giving Program); December 14, Christmas Gift-Giving by Office of City Social Welfare and Development, Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club, and the Baguio Tourism Council;
On December 15, Pamaskong Handog ng Turismo (a Concert), by the Department of Tourism Cordillera regional office;
Events at the Melvyn Jones playing field -- December 1 at 7:30 p.m., Fireworks Display capping off the Grand Launching Program for An Enchanted Baguio Christmas; December 5 to 7, Northern Youth Festival by the Baguio-Benguet Pastors and Global Ventures; December 15, Barangay Peace Cup; December 27, SAKA Rocker Music and Football Fest; December 31 at 7:30 p.m., New Year’s Countdown Concert and Fireworks Display.
Meantime, the Silahis ng Pasko organizing committee has released its activities as part of the 40-day Christmas festivities, as follows: December 1, Children’s Mardi Gras Parade; December 7 to 8, Selection of Lucky Christmas Families; December 15, Special Olympics for the Blind at Session Road; December 22, Share a Joy gift-giving; December 25, Search for the Lucky Christmas Baby; December 30, Tala and Kislap Awards; January 1, Search for Lucky New Year Baby.