On the first night of December, thousands gathered on Baguio's Session Road for the Christmas lights switch-on. This year, decorations featured organic materials like bamboo and indigenous plants to promote environmental kindness. The event was followed by the 17th Saint Louis University Lantern Parade showcasing global light festivals.
On December 1, 2025, Baguio's Christmas celebrations kicked off with thousands lining Session Road before sunset. Baguio police estimated the crowd at 30,000 by 4:30 p.m., including participants in the Saint Louis University Lantern Parade.
The highlight was the Upper Session Road Christmas tree, constructed mainly from bamboo and adorned with Peruvian ferns, red and Chinese poinsettias, lemon pine, and vincas as ground cover. Artists Resty Lopez, Joey Quinio, Reydon Amking, and James Calicdan crafted it to be organic and indigenous, reducing post-season waste while honoring the environment. The Botanical Garden adopted similar local flowers and natural elements.
The program began with the UB Rondalla's music, followed by performances from UB Voices and Graces featuring doxology, hymns, and carols. City leaders shared messages on gratitude, unity, and the meaning of light. Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated: “Ang tunay na Pasko ay hindi nasusukat sa garbo o dami ng dekorasyon. Nasusukat ito sa kabutihan ng puso – sa ating pagpapatawad, pag-unawa, at sa liwanag na kaya nating ibahagi sa isa’t isa.” (Christmas is not measured by grandeur or the number of decorations. It is measured by the goodness of the heart, by our forgiveness, understanding, and the light we can share with one another.)
A 10-second countdown ignited the tree's colors, with fireworks from SM City Baguio painting the sky in gold and ember. Immediately after, the 17th Saint Louis University Lantern Parade commenced as a world tour of light festivals. It featured lanterns inspired by Germany and the Netherlands, Vietnam’s Hội An Lantern Festival, Myanmar’s Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights, Australia’s Moon Lantern Trail, Thailand’s Yi Peng Festival, South Korea’s Seoul Festival, Japan’s Nagasaki Festival, and India’s Diwali. Silk lanterns, glowing floats, and student dances filled Session Road with color, culture, and creativity.
As the parade ended, Session Road buzzed with laughter and conversation, carrying the night's warmth home.