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Baguio - Things to Do in Baguio in December

Things to Do in Baguio in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Baguio

23°C (74°F) High Temp
14°C (57°F) Low Temp
0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak flower blooming season at Botanical Garden and Camp John Hay - December brings out the most vibrant displays of chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and sunflowers, which locals actually time their visits around. The cooler temperatures at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation mean flowers last longer than in lowland Philippines.
  • Christmas season transforms the entire city into what locals call the Christmas Capital of the Philippines - Panagbenga preview events start mid-December, night markets extend hours until 11pm instead of the usual 9pm, and you'll find parol lantern displays that rival anything in Manila without the metro traffic chaos.
  • Nearly zero rainfall despite 10 technically rainy days - those rain days are mostly morning fog that burns off by 10am, not actual downpours. This is actually Baguio's driest month, which means hiking trails at Mount Ulap and Akiki are in prime condition without the July-September mud that makes them treacherous.
  • Comfortable temperature range of 14-23°C (57-74°F) is perfect for walking tours - you can actually explore Session Road and Burnham Park midday without overheating, unlike the 30°C+ (86°F+) heat you'd face in lowland cities. Locals wear light jackets in the evening, which feels like a novelty in tropical Philippines.

Considerations

  • Peak tourist season means accommodation prices jump 40-60% compared to February-May rates, and you'll need to book at least 6-8 weeks ahead for decent options under ₱3,000 per night. The popular Burnham Park area and Session Road become genuinely crowded on weekends, particularly December 15-January 2.
  • Morning fog until 9-10am can delay outdoor plans - visibility drops to under 50 m (164 ft) some mornings, which makes early sunrise hikes at Mines View Park pretty pointless. If you're planning photography at scenic overlooks, you'll need to wait until mid-morning, which then competes with the tour bus crowds.
  • Holiday traffic from Manila creates 8-10 hour drives on weekends instead of the usual 5-6 hours via Kennon Road or Marcos Highway - if you're driving up from Manila on December 20-26, you're looking at serious congestion. Locals avoid traveling those specific dates entirely and book bus tickets weeks in advance.

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Best Activities in December

Strawberry Farm Picking and Highland Vegetable Market Tours

December is actually peak strawberry season in La Trinidad (15 minutes from Baguio proper), when the berries are sweetest due to the cooler night temperatures. The farms open at 6am when it's still foggy and atmospheric, and you'll pay around ₱400-600 per kilo for pick-your-own. The adjacent vegetable terraces are also in full harvest mode - you'll see locals buying lettuce, broccoli, and carrots at a fraction of lowland prices. Worth going early before the 10am tour bus arrival.

Booking Tip: Most farms don't require advance booking for individual visitors - just show up between 6-9am for the best selection. Group tours typically cost ₱800-1,200 per person including transport from Baguio hotels. Look for operators offering combined strawberry picking and market visits rather than just farm-only tours. Check current tour options in the booking section below.

Mount Pulag National Park Sunrise Trekking

December through February offers the clearest skies for the famous sea of clouds at 2,922 m (9,587 ft) summit - visibility can reach 80-90% success rate versus the 40-50% you'd get during rainy season. The trails are dry and well-defined, though temperatures at the summit drop to 2-5°C (36-41°F) at 4am, so you'll need proper layering. The grassland trail is the most popular and takes 2-3 hours up, 1.5-2 hours down. Permits are required and limited to 50 hikers per day.

Booking Tip: Book 3-4 weeks ahead minimum through accredited guide services - permits sell out quickly in December. Expect to pay ₱2,500-4,000 per person for guided overnight trips including camping gear, meals, and transport from Baguio. The climb starts around midnight for sunrise arrival, so this is genuinely physically demanding. See current tour operators in the booking widget below.

Tam-awan Village Art Workshops and Cultural Performances

The reconstructed Ifugao village hosts special December workshops where you can try traditional weaving, wood carving, and rice wine making - these extended programs run 2-3 hours versus the usual 30-minute demonstrations. The cooler weather makes the outdoor workshop spaces actually comfortable, and you'll often catch visiting artists from the Cordillera region during the pre-Panagbenga season. The village itself sits at a scenic viewpoint overlooking Baguio's pine forests.

Booking Tip: Walk-in admission is ₱60 for basic entry, but the workshops require advance booking and cost ₱500-800 per person depending on the craft. Contact them directly 1-2 weeks ahead or book through cultural tour operators offering half-day Baguio heritage circuits. The village is open 9am-6pm daily. Check the booking section below for combined cultural tour options.

Sagada Cave Connections and Rice Terrace Day Trips

The 2.5-hour drive to Sagada is worth it in December when the hanging coffins and Sumaguing Cave are accessible without mud complications - the cave spelunking involves wading through underground rivers that are at safe levels this month. The famous rice terraces aren't green in December (harvest was October-November), but the golden-brown terraced landscapes have their own appeal, and you'll avoid the June-August tourist peak. Temperature in Sagada drops even lower than Baguio, around 10-20°C (50-68°F).

Booking Tip: Full-day tours from Baguio typically run ₱2,800-4,500 per person including guide, entrance fees, and lunch. Book at least 10-14 days ahead as December slots fill up. You'll need a local Sagada guide for cave exploration - this is mandatory and costs around ₱800-1,000 for groups up to 5 people. Tours usually depart Baguio at 5-6am and return by 7-8pm. See current Sagada tour options in the booking section below.

Baguio Public Market and Night Market Food Walks

December brings special holiday foods you won't find other months - pinikpikan (traditional chicken soup), etag (smoked pork), and various kakanin (rice cakes) appear in larger quantities. The public market lower level has the best fresh produce prices in the Philippines, and the night market along Harrison Road extends to 11pm in December with extra stalls selling strawberry taho, suman, and grilled meats. The 70% humidity actually keeps the evening comfortable for walking, around 16-18°C (61-64°F).

Booking Tip: Food tour operators offer 3-4 hour guided walks for ₱1,200-1,800 per person, but honestly you can explore independently - just go hungry around 6-7pm when stalls are fully set up. Budget ₱500-800 for a full tasting tour of 8-10 items. The public market opens at 6am if you want the morning market experience, though it gets crowded by 8am. Check the booking widget below for guided food tour options if you prefer context and translations.

Bell Church and Diplomat Hotel Heritage Photography Circuits

The clear December weather means better photography conditions at these historic sites - the morning light hits Bell Church's facade perfectly between 8-9am after the fog lifts. The abandoned Diplomat Hotel, despite its dark history, offers atmospheric ruins photography, though it's technically on private property and access varies. The nearby Botanical Garden is also at peak color in December, making this a solid half-day photography route covering 5-6 km (3.1 miles) of walking.

Booking Tip: These sites are free to visit independently, though Botanical Garden charges ₱50 entrance. Heritage walking tours covering multiple sites run ₱800-1,500 per person for 3-4 hours with historical context. If you're serious about photography, go independently in early morning before tour groups arrive around 10am. Some operators offer sunrise photography tours departing hotels at 5:30am - see current options in the booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

Early December through January 2

Baguio Christmas Village and Panagbenga Preview Events

The city government sets up a Christmas Village at Burnham Park with light displays, food stalls, and nightly performances from early December through January 2. This is also when the Panagbenga Flower Festival organizers start preview exhibits and float construction workshops - you can actually watch the parade float building process at Athletic Bowl. The Christmas Eve Simbang Gabi (dawn masses) at Baguio Cathedral draw huge crowds and are worth experiencing for the cultural immersion.

Every Sunday in December

Session Road Car-Free Sundays Extended Hours

Every Sunday, Session Road closes to vehicles from 6am-11am, but in December they extend it to 6am-2pm for holiday markets and street performances. You'll find local artisans selling crafts, street food vendors, and impromptu musical performances. This is when locals actually come out to socialize, making it more authentic than the typical tourist scenes. Bring cash - most vendors don't take cards.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light jacket or fleece for evenings and early mornings when temperatures drop to 14°C (57°F) - locals wear hoodies, and you'll look out of place in just a t-shirt after 6pm. A packable down jacket works well if you're doing Mount Pulag where it hits 2-5°C (36-41°F).
Breathable cotton or linen long pants - the 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics get uncomfortable quickly, and you'll want coverage for mosquitoes that are still active despite the cooler temperatures. Jeans work but feel heavy in the humidity.
Comfortable walking shoes with decent tread - you'll cover 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily if you're exploring properly, and the steep hills around Session Road and Burnham Park will test cheap sandals. The UV index of 8 means exposed feet burn easily too.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours - the UV index of 8 at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation is deceptively strong because the cool air doesn't feel hot. Locals who ignore this end up with serious burns, especially on overcast days when you think you're safe.
Light rain jacket or umbrella - those 10 rainy days are mostly brief morning fog and occasional 15-20 minute drizzles, not downpours, but you'll want something packable. A compact umbrella works better than a full rain jacket given the minimal rainfall.
Layers for variable conditions - you'll want a t-shirt for midday when it hits 23°C (74°F), plus a long-sleeve shirt for mornings and evenings. The temperature swing is significant enough that you can't just wear one outfit all day.
Small daypack for carrying layers and purchases - you'll be peeling off jackets by 11am and buying strawberries, vegetables, and crafts at markets. A 15-20 liter pack is ideal for day trips to Sagada or Mount Pulag.
Cash in small bills - many market vendors, strawberry farms, and local eateries don't accept cards, and ATMs around tourist areas often run out of cash on weekends. Bring ₱5,000-8,000 in ₱100 and ₱500 notes.
Reusable water bottle - the tap water isn't reliably safe, but filtered water refill stations are everywhere for ₱5-10 per liter. Staying hydrated at elevation with 70% humidity is important, and you'll save money versus buying bottled water at ₱20-30 each.
Basic first aid including altitude sickness medication - if you're doing Mount Pulag, the jump from sea level to 2,922 m (9,587 ft) can cause headaches and nausea. Locals recommend starting Diamox 24 hours before the climb, though you'll need a prescription.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before October if you're visiting December 20-January 2 - those two weeks are when Manila residents flood Baguio for Christmas break, and anything decent under ₱4,000 per night gets claimed months ahead. If you're flexible, December 1-15 has 30-40% lower rates and half the crowds.
Take the bus instead of driving from Manila - Victory Liner and Genesis buses run hourly and cost ₱450-700 one-way versus the stress of 8-10 hour holiday traffic jams. The buses also use Kennon Road which has better views than Marcos Highway. Book bus tickets online 2-3 weeks ahead for December weekend travel.
The Good Shepherd Convent ube jam is genuinely worth buying - this isn't tourist hype, locals actually stock up on their ube jam, peanut brittle, and strawberry jam because it's significantly better than commercial versions and costs ₱120-200 per jar. Go early (they open at 8am) as popular items sell out by 10am on weekends.
Avoid eating at restaurants directly on Session Road - they're 40-50% more expensive than places two blocks away on side streets like Otek Street or near the public market. Locals eat at the market food stalls where a full meal costs ₱80-150 versus ₱250-400 at tourist-facing restaurants.
The Kennon Road viewpoints are better for photos than Mines View Park - Mines View is packed with tour buses and souvenir vendors, while the pullouts along Kennon Road (especially Lion's Head around kilometer 50) offer clearer views without crowds. Just be careful parking as the road is narrow.
December mornings require patience - that fog doesn't lift until 9-10am, so don't book sunrise tours or early morning viewpoint visits expecting clear conditions. Locals know this and schedule outdoor activities for 10am-4pm when visibility is best.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how crowded December weekends get - tourists book 3-day weekends thinking they'll have a peaceful mountain retreat, then find themselves stuck in traffic on Session Road and waiting 45 minutes for tables at restaurants. If you can swing it, visit Monday-Thursday when the city is 60% less crowded.
Packing only summer clothes because it's the Philippines - yes it's tropical, but 14°C (57°F) evenings at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation require actual layers. Every December you'll see tourists shivering in shorts and tank tops at the night market while locals wear jackets and scarves.
Trying to do Mount Pulag as a day trip without acclimatization - going from sea level Manila to 2,922 m (9,587 ft) in 24 hours causes altitude sickness for many people. Spend at least one full day in Baguio at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) before attempting Pulag, and even then expect some headaches and fatigue at the summit.

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Travel guide for November

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Travel guide for January

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