Things to Do in Baguio in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Baguio
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
74°F (23°C)
High Temp
57°F (14°C)
Low Temp
1.6 inches (41 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December skies over Baguio are crystal. You will see pine-covered mountains instead of the usual fog that blankets the city most months. The air feels rinsed. Visibility stretches for miles. Photographers call it the year's clearest window.
- + Strawberry picking at La Trinidad farms peaks in December. The berries are sweetest after the November rains. Farms stay open until 6 PM for the Christmas rush. Hands stain red. The scent is jam in the making.
- + Burnham Park's morning mist creates that postcard-perfect reflection on the lake. Photographers wait all year for this shot. It is usually gone by 9 AM when the sun burns through. Tripods line the shore. Silence clicks into cameras.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% after the first week of December. The Manila weekend crowd thins out for Christmas prep back home. Bargain hunters rejoice. Midweek bookings suddenly become possible. Lock in fast.
Considerations
- − December evenings hit 57°F (14°C) but feel colder due to 70% humidity. That damp cold seeps through light jackets in a way that surprises first-time visitors. Shivers arrive suddenly. Locals laugh at thin coats. Pack fleece.
- − The city gets surprisingly crowded December 20-30. Manila families escape the capital heat for 'cold weather.' Traffic backs up Session Road for hours. Horns echo. Plan walks instead of drives.
- − UV index hits 8 even in December. That mountain altitude means you'll burn faster than expected at Mines View Park's exposed viewpoint. Clouds fool no one. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Reapply often.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Strawberry Farm Tours in La Trinidad
December's dry weather means you can walk between the rows without sinking into mud. The berries reach peak sweetness after November's last rains. Morning picking (7-9 AM) happens before the UV gets brutal. The 6 km (3.7 mile) drive from city center takes 20 minutes through pine forests that smell like Christmas. Roll windows down.
Booking Tip: Book farm visits 2-3 days ahead through licensed operators. December weekends fill up fast with Manila families. Morning slots give you the best berries and cooler temperatures. Set alarms. Slots vanish quickly.
Mines View Park Sunrise Photography
December's clear mornings mean you can see the gold mine workings 300 meters (984 feet) below. This view is impossible during the foggy months. The sun hits the Cordillera mountains at 6:15 AM, creating layered silhouettes that local photographers call 'the staircase to heaven.' Bring layers. That viewpoint gets windy even when the city stays calm.
Booking Tip: No booking needed. Arrive by 5:45 AM to beat the tour buses. The park opens 24/7 and December mornings draw serious photographers with tripods. Dawn glows gold. Silence is part of the show.
Session Road Night Market Food Crawls
December nights turn Session Road into an outdoor dining room when temperatures drop to sweater weather. Vendors set up propane heaters between the stalls selling strawberry taho (warm tofu pudding), grilled corn on cob brushed with butter and salt, and the seasonal treat - hot strawberry wine served in paper cups. The market runs 6 PM until midnight, perfect after dinner when Manila crowds thin out. Steam rises. Laughter echoes off brick.
Booking Tip: Come hungry around 8 PM when locals eat dinner. No reservations needed. Just follow the propane heater glow and longest lines. Trust crowds. They know flavor.
Camp John Hay Trail Hiking
December's 70% humidity feels refreshing on these 1,500 meter (4,921 foot) elevation trails. You are not drenched in sweat like the March-May hikers. The pine needle carpet stays dry enough for proper footing, and morning fog usually lifts by 9 AM to reveal views of Lingayen Gulf 40 km (25 miles) away. Trail 3 connects to the old radar station ruins that most visitors miss. Veer left.
Booking Tip: Start trails by 7 AM to finish before UV peaks. Trail maps are available at the Camp John Hay visitor center. No guide is needed for marked paths. Just walk. Breathe.
BenCab Museum Art and Coffee
December's afternoon showers (usually 2-3 PM) make this the perfect indoor activity. The museum's floor-to-ceiling windows frame the rain hitting the pine forest outside while you sip locally-grown arabica that tastes like chocolate and citrus. The attached farm-to-table cafe serves strawberry shortcake made with La Trinidad berries. This treat is only available December through February. Reserve slices early.
Booking Tip: Arrive right when doors open at 9 AM to avoid tour groups. The rain typically starts around 2 PM. Perfect timing for their indoor cafe. Sip slowly.
Where to Stay in Baguio in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Every Saturday in December
Panagbenga Flower Festival Pre-Events
While the main festival happens in February, December brings the 'Parade of Lights.' Pickup trucks covered in Christmas lights and fresh flowers crawl down Session Road every Saturday night. Local dance groups practice their flower-covered routines on Burnham Park's stage, and you can watch for free while eating strawberry ice cream. Music drifts. Bulbs twinkle like low stars.
December 15-30
Christmas Village at Baguio Country Club
The members-only club opens their grounds to non-members December 15-30 for a walk-through Christmas lights display that covers 2 hectares of pine forest. The smell of fresh pine mixes with hot chocolate from vendors, and local choirs perform carols at 7 PM and 9 PM. This is the one time locals bring their Manila relatives to show off 'real Baguio Christmas.' Dress warm. Eyes widen.
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View Baguio Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best strawberry taho comes from vendors near the Cathedral at 6:30 AM. They get the first batch before it sells out to office workers. Line early. Taste warm.
Local jeepney drivers will try to charge 'special trip' rates to tourists. The actual fare from city center to Mines View is the same as any other route. Pay standard. Smile firm.
December 26-30 is the sweet spot. Christmas crowds gone, New Year's crowds haven't arrived, hotels desperate for bookings. Discounts deepen. Silence returns.
Bring cash in small bills. Most establishments close early December 24-25 and ATMs run empty when Manila visitors withdraw weekend money. Stock up. Hoard change.
Avoid These Mistakes
Avoid booking hotels on Session Road for the 'city experience.' The traffic noise from December weekend crowds will keep you awake until 2 AM. Sleep matters. Book uphill.
Tank tops and shorts feel right until the mountain cold bites after sunset. Pack a fleece. First-timers always shiver. The Philippines still has altitude.
Strawberry farms are not around the corner. La Trinidad sits 6 km (3.7 miles) out. The route climbs 300 meters (984 feet). Save your calves, take a jeep.
Afternoon plans melt fast. December UV spikes 11 AM to 2 PM. Clouds unload at 2:30 PM. Schedule mornings. Bring a hat.
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Top-rated things to do in Baguio this December
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