Melo Villareal
La Trinidad Strawberry Festival: What to See, Do and Eat
For travelers who love festivals, local food, and cultural experiences, the Strawberry Festival in La Trinidad, Benguet, is one of the most colorful events to experience in the Cordillera. Held every year in the municipality known as the Strawberry Capital of the Philippines, the festival combines agriculture, culture, entertainment, food, community activities, and tourism.
Strawberry Festival in La Trinidad, Benguet
Beyond the strawberries, the celebration offers visitors a chance to experience the local way of life, meet farmers, explore the famous strawberry fields, sample strawberry-based products, and watch colorful parades and cultural performances.
The festival is also an excellent reason to combine a trip to La Trinidad with a Baguio getaway.
What Is the Strawberry Festival?
The Strawberry Festival is La Trinidad’s annual celebration of its agricultural heritage and its reputation as one of the country’s major strawberry-producing areas. The festival highlights strawberries as the municipality’s signature agricultural product while also showcasing local farmers, businesses, artists, cultural groups, and communities.
The event has grown from a local celebration into a month-long tourism and community festival featuring agricultural fairs, cultural presentations, competitions, parades, entertainment, food events, and activities organized by the local government and community groups.
The celebration was institutionalized through Municipal Ordinance No. 5-2011.
History of the Strawberry Festival
The roots of the festival can be traced to 1981, when La Trinidad held its first joint Patronal Town Fiesta and Strawberry Festival on March 18. The event eventually became an important annual celebration for the municipality.
During the 1980s, La Trinidad increasingly diversified its agricultural production into strawberries and cut flowers. This helped strengthen the town’s identity as an important highland agricultural center.
Over the years, the festival expanded beyond strawberry promotion. It became an opportunity to celebrate La Trinidad’s cultural diversity, agricultural communities, local businesses, and tourism attractions.
One of the festival’s most memorable milestones came in 2004, when La Trinidad produced a strawberry shortcake weighing 9,622.29 kilograms, earning a Guinness World Record for the largest strawberry shortcake at the time.
The giant cake remains an important part of the festival’s history and continues to inspire cake-related activities during the annual celebration.
When Is the Strawberry Festival?
The festival is traditionally held during March, when strawberry production and tourism activities are particularly prominent.
For reference, the 2026 Strawberry Festival ran from March 4 to April 1, 2026, under the theme “Limitless La Trinidad: Heart, Harvest, Harmony.”
Because schedules change annually, travelers planning a future visit should check the latest announcement from the La Trinidad local government before booking transportation or accommodation.
2026 Strawberry Festival Schedule of Activities
The following highlights the major activities for the 2026 celebration. Community-organized events may be added to the official calendar.
| Date | Major Activity |
|---|---|
| March 4 | Opening ceremonies, ecumenical service, Strawberry Lane opening, and Kapihan sa La Trinidad |
| March 6 | Arts, crafts, and mural competitions |
| March 7 | Duting Tan Dukto breakfast and Strawberry Fun Run |
| March 13 | Search for the Heaviest and Sweetest Strawberries |
| March 14 | Jobs Fair and Battle of the Bands |
| March 18 | Civic Parade, Main Program, Owik Tan Tayao, and Multicultural Celebration |
| March 20 | Concert at the Park |
| March 21 | Drum and Lyre Competition, Street Dancing and Float Parade; Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad Pre-Pageant |
| March 25 | Barangay Night |
| March 28 | Dongba ni Kavajo |
| March 29 | Strawberry Cake Fest |
| March 31 | Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad Coronation Night |
| April 1 | Closing and Awarding Ceremonies |
The 2026 celebration featured 20 major LGU-managed events and more than 60 community-initiated activities.
Opening Day
The festival traditionally begins with an opening ceremony and activities that introduce visitors to the celebration. The 2026 opening included an ecumenical service, the opening of Strawberry Lane, and Kapihan sa La Trinidad.
Duting Tan Dukto and Strawberry Fun Run
One of the more distinctive festival activities is Duting Tan Dukto, which combines strawberries and sweet potatoes with a community breakfast and fun run.
“Duting” refers to strawberry, while “dukto” refers to sweet potato. The activity began as a breakfast event and eventually incorporated a fun run.
Search for the Heaviest and Sweetest Strawberries
For travelers interested in agriculture, this is one of the festival’s most interesting events. Local growers compete to showcase some of La Trinidad’s finest strawberries, giving visitors a closer look at the importance of strawberry farming to the community.
Civic Parade and Main Festival Program
The civic parade is one of the major highlights of the festival. Government offices, schools, barangays, organizations, and community representatives come together for a colorful procession.
It is a good event for visitors who want to see the local community actively participating in the celebration.
Street Dancing, Drum and Lyre, and Float Parade
If you enjoy colorful Philippine festivals, don’t miss the street dancing and float parade. School groups and community participants bring music, costumes, choreography, and elaborate floats to the streets.
The 2026 street dancing, drum-and-lyre competition, and float parade were held on March 21.
Dongba ni Kavajo
Held in Barangay Puguis, Dongba ni Kavajo is a traditional horse-related activity featuring the pony boys of La Trinidad.
It offers a glimpse into an aspect of the municipality’s heritage that extends beyond its agricultural identity.
Strawberry Cake Fest
The Strawberry Cake Fest celebrates the town’s famous connection to giant strawberry cakes.
La Trinidad’s 2004 record-breaking shortcake remains an important part of the festival’s story. In 2026, the municipality served approximately 11,000 slices and unveiled a giant “Strawberry Triplet Cake” display inspired by the year’s theme.
Things to Do and See During the Festival
1. Visit the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
The obvious highlight is the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm, located in Barangay Betag.
The farm is one of the area’s best-known agricultural tourism attractions. Depending on the season and farm conditions, visitors can pick strawberries, purchase freshly harvested berries, and explore stalls selling strawberry products.
2. Go Strawberry Picking
Strawberry picking is one of the most enjoyable experiences for first-time visitors.
Go early in the day for a more comfortable experience, particularly during weekends and festival season. Availability of ripe berries can vary depending on weather and harvest conditions, so ask the farm or local vendors about current picking arrangements.
3. Explore Strawberry Lane
Strawberry Lane is a great place to sample the municipality’s strawberry products without visiting multiple farms.
During the 2026 festival, the lane featured dozens of stalls selling fresh strawberries and processed products.
Look for products such as:
- Fresh strawberries
- Strawberry jam
- Strawberry preserves
- Strawberry cakes and pastries
- Strawberry wine
- Strawberry candies
- Strawberry ice cream
- Strawberry-based drinks
- Other local agricultural products
4. Shop at the Agricultural and Trade Fairs
The festival is also a good opportunity to buy Benguet produce and locally made products.
Agricultural fairs allow visitors to support farmers and small businesses directly while discovering products that may not be as readily available in major cities.
5. Watch the Street Dancing
For festival lovers, the street dancing is one of the events worth planning an entire trip around.
Arrive early, choose a location with a clear view of the performers, and be prepared for crowds.
6. See the Cultural Presentations
The festival incorporates Cordilleran culture through traditional performances and multicultural presentations.
The Owik Tan Tayao and Multicultural Celebration, in particular, adds a cultural dimension to the festivities and demonstrates that the Strawberry Festival is about more than agriculture.
7. Try Strawberry-Based Food
This is one festival where you should definitely leave room for dessert.
Try fresh strawberries, strawberry taho, cakes, jams, preserves, ice cream, drinks, and other creative strawberry products. Local producers have also showcased products such as strawberry wine, cookies, hopia, and cakes during previous celebrations.
8. Explore La Trinidad Beyond the Festival
Use the festival as a starting point for exploring more of Benguet.
Nearby attractions and experiences include the colorful StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork, flower-growing communities, local markets, mountain viewpoints, and agricultural areas.
The municipality’s tourism appeal extends well beyond the strawberry fields, making it worthwhile to stay for more than a few hours.
How to Get to La Trinidad, Benguet
From Manila
The easiest option for most travelers is to take a bus from Manila to Baguio City, then continue to La Trinidad.
Several provincial bus operators serve the Manila-Baguio route. Travel time varies depending on the departure point, traffic, weather, and road conditions, so allow several hours for the journey.
From Baguio, La Trinidad is only a short trip away.
From Baguio City
La Trinidad is approximately 7 kilometers from central Baguio, although actual travel time depends heavily on traffic.
By jeepney:
Ride a jeepney bound for La Trinidad from the Baguio public market or other designated terminals. Tell the driver that you are going to the Strawberry Farm and confirm the exact drop-off point before boarding.
By taxi:
A taxi is more convenient, especially for families or groups carrying shopping bags. Travel time can be relatively short outside peak traffic periods.
By private vehicle:
Drive toward La Trinidad and follow navigation directions to the Strawberry Farm or your chosen festival venue. Parking can be difficult during major festivals, so arriving early is advisable.
Best Time to Visit
If your primary goal is strawberry picking, the cooler months are generally preferable. The optimal farm-visiting period is approximately October to May, with the Strawberry Festival taking place in March.
March is particularly attractive because you can combine strawberry picking with the festival’s major cultural and entertainment events.
For the best festival experience, consider staying for at least two to three days rather than making La Trinidad a quick day trip from Baguio.
Important Travel Tips
1. Book Accommodation Early
Festival dates can attract significant numbers of visitors. If you plan to visit during the major parade and street-dancing events, reserve your hotel or accommodation well in advance.
Baguio is a practical base if you want more accommodation and dining choices, while staying in La Trinidad puts you closer to the festival activities.
2. Leave Early
Traffic between Baguio and La Trinidad can be heavy, especially on weekends and during major festivals.
If you are attending a parade, street-dancing competition, or another timed event, leave much earlier than you normally would.
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes
The festival involves walking, standing, and potentially moving between several venues.
Comfortable shoes are much more practical than fashionable footwear, especially if you plan to visit the farms.
4. Bring a Light Jacket
Benguet’s highland climate can be cool, particularly in the early morning and evening.
Bring layers so you can adjust easily as temperatures change throughout the day.
5. Carry Cash
While some establishments accept digital payments, having cash remains useful when buying strawberries, agricultural products, snacks, souvenirs, and products from smaller vendors.
6. Protect Your Strawberries
Fresh strawberries bruise easily. If you are buying several kilos, bring a sturdy container or ask vendors for appropriate packaging.
Avoid placing heavy bags on top of fresh berries.
7. Ask Before Picking
Not every field is necessarily available for self-picking at all times. Ask the farm operator about availability, pricing, picking rules, and whether visitors can enter particular sections.
8. Respect the Farms
Remember that these are working agricultural areas, not simply photo locations.
Stay within designated areas, avoid stepping on plants, and follow instructions from farmers and farm staff.
9. Expect Crowds
The festival’s most popular events can become crowded. If photography is important to you, arrive early and identify a good viewing position before the program begins.
10. Check the Schedule Before Traveling
Festival programs may change due to weather, traffic management, venue considerations, or other local circumstances.
Use the latest announcement from the La Trinidad local government when planning your trip.
Why You Should Visit the Strawberry Festival
The Strawberry Festival is worth visiting because it offers much more than strawberries.
It combines agriculture, culture, food, entertainment, community participation, and tourism in one of Benguet’s most recognizable annual celebrations. It is also an opportunity to support local farmers and businesses while experiencing La Trinidad beyond the usual Baguio tourist circuit.
For frequent travelers and festival enthusiasts, the best approach is to treat the Strawberry Festival as a destination experience rather than simply a side trip to a strawberry farm.
Spend time exploring the fields, tasting local products, watching the parade, experiencing the cultural presentations, and discovering the communities around La Trinidad.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Strawberry Festival
When is the Strawberry Festival in La Trinidad?
The Strawberry Festival is traditionally celebrated in March. In 2026, the festival ran from March 4 to April 1.
Where is the Strawberry Festival held?
Activities are held at different locations around La Trinidad, including the municipal grounds, municipal gymnasium, municipal park, Km. 6, Barangay Puguis, and other venues depending on the event.
Is La Trinidad Strawberry Farm in Baguio?
No. The famous strawberry farm is in La Trinidad, Benguet, specifically in Barangay Betag. It is a short trip from Baguio City, which is why it is often referred to as the “Baguio Strawberry Farm.”
Can tourists pick strawberries?
Yes, strawberry picking is one of the area’s popular tourist activities, although availability and arrangements can vary depending on the harvest and farm conditions.
What should I buy at the Strawberry Festival?
Fresh strawberries are the obvious choice, but also look for strawberry jams, preserves, cakes, pastries, wine, candies, drinks, and other locally produced goods.
Is the Strawberry Festival suitable for families?
Yes. The combination of agricultural activities, food, cultural presentations, entertainment, markets, and parades makes it suitable for families.
How many days should I spend in La Trinidad?
A two- to three-day stay is a good starting point if you want to experience the festival while also exploring the surrounding attractions. A longer stay allows you to explore more of Benguet at a relaxed pace.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bring a light jacket because temperatures can be cool, especially in the morning and evening.
Is the Strawberry Festival free?
Many public festival activities are free to watch, although individual attractions, food, products, transportation, strawberry picking, and some special activities may incur fees.
What is the best festival event to watch?
For first-time visitors, the street dancing, drum and lyre competition, float parade, civic parade, and main cultural program are among the best choices. If you are more interested in food and agriculture, prioritize Strawberry Lane, strawberry picking, the heaviest and sweetest strawberry competition, and Strawberry Cake Fest.
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Read:
- Strawberry Picking in La Trinidad Benguet
- BAGUIO CITY TRAVEL GUIDE: Best Attractions, Hotels, Food & Local Tips for the Philippines’ Summer Capital
