Spring Festival parade welcomes Year of the Fire Horse

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines, Feb. 18, 2026 — Thousands of residents and visitors lined the main streets of Baguio City on Wednesday as the Spring Festival 2026 Grand Colorful Parade marked Chinese New Year and welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse.

The procession moved from Session Road down to Magsaysay Avenue, featuring coordinated performances, traditional dances and colorful displays organized by Filipino-Chinese community groups from Baguio and neighboring La Trinidad.

Lion and dragon dance troupes advanced through the city center to the sound of drums and cymbals, pausing to interact with spectators.

Children clustered near performers, while families filled sidewalks to watch the spectacle.

Organizers said the parade reflected the city’s multicultural identity and emphasized unity and shared hopes for prosperity and peace in the year ahead.

Local and national officials joined the event, led by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and Baguio Spring Festival Execom 2026 chair Peter L. Ng, signaling government support for cultural initiatives spearheaded by the Filipino-Chinese community.

Officials said the annual Spring Festival celebration underscores ongoing efforts to recognize diverse cultural traditions as part of the city’s broader development and social cohesion.

The parade remains one of Baguio’s key cultural events, drawing broad participation and reinforcing its reputation as a regional center for heritage and public celebration.