Hello everyone! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Wow, look how time flies! Hopefully, 2018 gives a lot of luck and blessings to each and everyone of us! So for my first blog for this year, I am back with my 2nd part of my Baguio City vacation. And for this blog, I will be taking you the merriest place in the city every Christmas season—the Christmas Village!
Christmas Village by Baguio Country Club
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Me in front of the Christmas Village stage. I have to cover my ugly face. Sorry.
The Christmas Village is a Christmas attraction by the Baguio Country Club which began a couple of years ago. The village has different themes each year to always keep the excitement of their visitors but it has always been the snow fall that kept people to visit the village. This year, the Christmas Village is having a Christmas Galaxy theme. They opened last October 27, 2017 and will run until January 7, 2018. The Christmas Village is located just in front the Baguio Country Club.
On the Way to Christmas Village
On December 17, after eating our dinner in BonChon at SM City Baguio, we rode a taxi near the mall going to the Christmas Village. It was already 7 P.M. when we were able to ride a taxi because it was a rush hour. There’s a great demand for taxicabs in Baguio City. I’ll say, it’s a bit difficult to find an available taxi during rush hour especially at the city proper.
(image source: Katsanslimites)
SM City Baguio during rush hour.
While we were on the road around 7:10 P.M., we saw a fireworks display from afar. I had a bad feeling it was from the Christmas Village. And my hunch was right. We weren’t able to catch the fireworks display but we have witnessed some of it while we were on our way. We arrived at 7:15 P.M., five minutes after the fireworks display.
Entrance Fee and Rules
Regular fee is Php 120 ($ 2.4 USD), senior citizen is Php 85 ($1.7 USD), children 4 to 12 years old is Php 50 ($1 USD), while PWD is FREE. Baguio Country Club members are also free to enter the village as long as they present their membership card.
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Christmas Village stamp on my wrist.
The village is open from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. (Monday to Thursday) and extends until 11 P.M. (Friday to Sunday). We went here on a Sunday and they informed the visitors that they will be closing at 10 P.M. I wonder if the schedule has been changed?
I’m also not exactly sure if they are also open during the day because I have seen some photos of a Facebook friend who have been there during daylight. However, I would suggest that you visit here after sunset to fully experience what the village has to show off.
There are also some simple rules every visitor has to follow:
- Slippers are NOT allowed.
- Pets are NOT allowed.
- Foods and drinks bought outside are NOT allowed.
- NO TOUCHING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!
I am not sure if the rules are strictly implemented because my brother was able to bring his bottled water inside. I am also unsure if there are staff who roam around to keep an eye on hardheaded people who touches the christmas lights. However, there is a recorded reminder by the end of the dancing light show which reminds people to not touch the lights.
Things to Expect at the Christmas Village
The Christmas Village is not that huge but there are lots of things and activities you can enjoy inside. I would also like to remind you that the activities are only available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So if you'd like to experience the most out of what Christmas Village has to offer, better plan your visit on within these three days I have mentioned.
● FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Fireworks display in Christmas Village takes place just right after opening. Maybe you're wondering why I got no photo of it? As I have mentioned earlier, we arrived a few minutes late. But surprise! I recorded a short clip of it while we were on the way. You can see it on the video below.
● SNOW FALL!!!
(video source: Katsanslimites via bitLanders)
Clips of my Snow Fall experience.
Philippines is a tropical country and this is why most Filipinos dream of experiencing snow at least once in their life. That is why people are always so delighted when they knew they could experience snow without leaving the country. Although don't get your hopes too high, friends! It's just an artificial snow. Four towers which looked like huge mushrooms were placed at each corner which blow out bubble foam. Funny because after some time, the ground had a little smell of detergent. Anyway, the bubble foam snow falling from above looks beautiful. With the cool temperature of Baguio City, it seems like you're already experiencing snow with the bubble foam. People, especially the kids, enjoy this activity very much. Great job for Baguio Country Club for having this fun idea.
(If you want to experience a much realistic snow, you can visit the Snow World of Star City.)
● NATIVITY PAGEANT
(image source: Katsanslimites)
The staff getting ready for the next batch of visitors to take nativity photos.
Near the exit, people can go and take photos together with the staff dressed in character during the birth of Jesus Christ. However, there is a very long line of people before you get your turn to take photos with them that is why I just forget the thought of having a photo and enjoyed the surrounding instead. They said there is a re-enactment of the nativity before Christmas Village lights up. Oh how I regret missing this one. We should've come here an hour earlier.
● DANCING LIGHTS SHOW
(video source: Katsanslimites via bitLanders)
A spectacular dancing lights show at Christmas Village.
A few minutes before they close the village, there is a synchronized lights show that will surely make you feel the jolly spirit of Christmas. Your eyes would definitely feast with the bright colors flashing around you. It's so fun to watch that I wished the lights show lasted for a few more songs.
● A PHOTO WITH SANTA!
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Santa Claus and a Santa girl waiting for visitors to take photos with them.
Of course! A Christmas Village wouldn't be complete without Santa Claus! Take photos with Santa and feel like a kid again! You should do it the earliest chance you can get because later on you'll find him dancing on the stage together with the elves! Yes people, the Santa in this village can dance!
● LIVE ACOUSTIC BAND
(image source: Katsanslimites)
A live band performing acoustic songs on stage.
In between the other activities, there is also a live band that performs on the stage. They perform acoustic songs and even take song requests. They're good musicians and set the mood of the crowd according to the song well.
● WISHING WALL
(image source: Katsanslimites)
A pile of people's wishes hung on the wishing wall at Christmas Village.
Wishing for something? Write it out on the white card and hang it on the wall! Who knows your wish just might get granted! Unfortunately, I haven't tried this one because there were lots of people writing their wishes. Maybe next time.
● FOODS
(image source: Katsanslimites)
One of the many food stands inside the Christmas Village.
No worries if you get hungry inside the village. There are lots of food stalls inside just near the entrance. You can also buy a marshmallow skewered on a stick which you can roast at the bonfire area near the exit. I was honestly tempted to buy one so I could sit by the bonfire area but the activities going on at the stage plus the snow falling was too much fun to miss.
● TOYS
(image source: Katsanslimites)
My mom choosing our Minnie Mouse headband at the toy store inside the Christmas Village.
Near Santa's seat, there is a toy store for kids—and for kids at heart. My mom bought us a Minnie Mouse headband for Php 50 ($1 USD) which we wore at the Christmas Village. It's a little embarrassing and eye-catching because it blinks like an emergency light but we don't care, we're having fun. Haha! My mom also bought a gift for my niece which is a cute Pikachu wand for Php 100 ($2 USD) that sings and lights up when turned on.
It's A Merry White Christmas!
Christmas Village is such a cool idea and I know most people visit here to experience the snow aside from the other activities. It's a fun place to bring the kids and you won't mind spending the evening here. Although, I would remind visitors who are on a tight budget that almost everything sold inside the village is a little expensive. So plan to save more money for those extra purchases inside.
There is also a comfort room whenever you feel like needing to go to one. The only problem that we encountered was the long wait of getting a taxi to take us back to the city proper. There is a waiting area for people where you need to line up. Taxicabs passing by were a bit few and has passengers inside most of the time. I think we waited about 40 minutes before we got to ride a taxi. Imagine the cold wind at night brushing on our skin while waiting? I was even wearing a skirt that time but luckily, I have a pretty high tolerance to cold weather. If you have your own vehicle, then going out of this place is not a problem at all.
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Waiting for a taxi to pass by at Christmas Village to bring us back to the city proper.
I guess that's all I could say. I highly recommend that you visit this place to add more hype to your Christmas feels!
If you still haven't gone here, hurry up! Because they are still open until January 7 of this year.
Since most people travel during holidays, here's a chat about traveling. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading!
✧ Katsanslimites
