Discover The Marianas – Saipan | Tinian | Rota

41st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament
2025-07-12 - 2025-07-13
Marianas maritime comes to the forefront of next month’s 41st Annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament in The Marianas, which will feature two days of fishing beginning on July 12, 2025, and a festival open to the public on July 13.
The festival – organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) in cooperation with PalmTrio – will be held from 3-7 p.m. at Smiling Cove Marina, featuring ocean-related displays, food vendors, and live entertainment.
The Saipan International Fishing Tournament is organized by Saipan Fishermen’s Association.
Festival activities are expected to include CNMI Div. of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Education, 500 Sails, Tasi to Table kids fishing tournament, and more. Marianas Maritime Heritage Mapping with East Carolina University invites fishermen, fisher families, cultural practitioners, artists, and the general public to help document and map local maritime knowledge. Northern Marianas Technical Institute will demonstrate culinary skills related to fish, such as food safety, filleting, scaling, and marination.
In 2024, the tournament had 90 boats and over 300 fishermen and fisherwomen from The Marianas and Guam. The MVA aims to attract more participants and media attention and provide a new opportunity to connect visitors with Marianas culture and nature through the festival
Boat charters and more information are available by contacting SFA President Tony Scragg at tscragg@jwssaipan.com.
Game fish categories for the tournament are: Grand Prize (Biggest Billfish), Bill Fish (1st -3rd), Yellow Fin (1st-3rd), Wahoo (1st –3rd), Mahi Mahi (1st-3rd), and Skipjack Tuna (1st-3rd). Prizes will also be awarded for total weight. A special prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the record-breaking Bill Fish weighing more than 942 lbs.
Tournament registration is $200 per boat, inclusive of a captain and one crew member. Each additional angler is $35. Registration will be held on July 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Smiling Cove Marina. A briefing on tournament regulations will be given, followed by a blessing over all boats. Tournament time on July 12 and July 13 is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all boats must launch from Smiling Cove Marina.
Major tournament sponsors are MVA, Budweiser, Mobil, Pacifica/Century Insurance and DOCOMO Pacific.
Tournament entry forms, rules, and schedule of events are now available at:

at Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods Store on Beach Rd., Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
at Marianas Visitors Authority office, Beach Rd., I Liyan, Saipan
via email from the MVA at communityprojects@mymarianas.com

Veterans Victory Classic Golf Tournament
2025-07-11
Join us on October 11, 2025, at Coral Ocean Resort for the Veterans Victory Classic—an 18-hole golf tournament honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. Each hole is dedicated to a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or a major military campaign, from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan. Hosted by Project Buddy Check 670, this event raises funds to support vital programs for CNMI Veterans and their families. Tee off for a cause and help empower those who served.

Independence Day
2025-07-04

Saipan Ocean Fair
2025-06-28 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit)
This fun and family-friendly event will highlight our connection to the ocean and our shared responsibility in building a more sustainable future.
What to Expect:
-Educational booths on ocean conservation
-FREE swimming and fishing lessons
-Local vendors and artisans
-Delicious food & drinks
-Cultural exhibits, activities for all ages, and much more!
This is a great opportunity to learn, engage, and enjoy all that our ocean has to offer while supporting local initiatives and traditions.
Event Details:
Saipan Ocean Fair
Saturday, June 28, 2025
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
San Isidro Beach Park, Chalan Kanoa
For questions or more information, please feel free to contact Ms. Jovahna Flores at the Division of Coastal Resources Management via email jflores@dcrm.gov.mp or by phone at (670) 664-8300.

Juneteenth
2025-06-19

26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival
2025-05-31, 2025-05-24, 2025-05-17, 2025-05-10, 2025-05-03
The 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival will be held every Saturday evening during May Marianas Tourism Month on the island of Saipan, featuring live entertainment, local food and drinks, arts & craft sales, and some of the best cuisine from local hotels and restaurants. For more information, contact the Marianas Visitors Authority: 1.670.664.3200, communityprograms@mymarianas.com, www.facebook.com/visitthemarianas.

Memorial Day
2025-05-26

HANMI-NMTech Chicken Kelaguen Cook-off
2025-05-24 18:00 - 20:00 | American Memorial Park, 6P89+CRQ, Micro Beach Rd, Garapan, Saipan 96950, Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, MP, 96950, United States
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI) and the culinary program of Northern Marianas Technical Institute (NMTech) are teaming up again in May 2025 on a cook-off featuring the mouth-watering island staple chicken kelaguen
The HANMI-NMTech Chicken Kelaguen Cook-off will be held on the evening of May 24, 2025, at the 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority in celebration of Marianas Tourism Month.
What makes a tasty chicken kelaguen? The basics are shredded roast chicken seasoned with lemon, green onions, and salt and wrapped in a warm corn or flour tortilla – shredded coconut or “donne sali” hot pepper are optional.
Registration for this year’s competition is open to former and ongoing students of NMTECH’s Culinary Arts Program. Registration opens on April 1, 2025, and is free. Two-man teams or solo entries are welcomed. To register, visit NMTech at Lower Base, Saipan, or contact Tomokane at aaron.tomokane@nmtechcnmi.org. Cash prizes will be awarded.
The Taste of The Marianas offers affordable dishes from local hotels and restaurants, live entertainment, nightly contests or food demonstrations, and arts and crafts sales. The festival will be held every Saturday in May at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan beginning at 5 p.m.

Subway Sandwich Challenge
2025-05-03 18:30 - 19:30 | American Memorial Park, 6P89+CRQ, Micro Beach Rd, Garapan, Saipan 96950, Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan, MP, 96950, United States
The Subway Sandwich Challenge will be held at the 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan.
Register to join! Submit your application to the Marianas Visitors Authority office on Beach Road, I Denni, Saipan or email communityprojects@mymarianas.com for more information. REGISTRATION FORM

Tinian San Jose Fiesta
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-03
For more information, please contact the Tinian Mayor’s Office Ms. Bernie Palacios bernietiq@gmail.com(670)433-1800 or Ms. Vanessa Manglona vanessamanglona.mot@gmail.com (670)433-1800.

Marianas Tourism Month
2025-05-01
In celebration of tourism month MVA host several Tourism related activities for the community throughout the month of May.

Flame Tree Arts Festival
2025-04-25 - 2025-04-27
For more information, please contact the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Office at 1(670)322-9983.

Good Friday
2025-04-18

Commonwealth Covenant Day
2025-03-24

7th Annual Rota's Gilita Festival
2025-03-21 18:00 - 21:30 | Chamorro Village, Rota, Songsong Village, Rota, MP, 96951, Northern Mariana Islands
The 7th Annual Rota’s Gilita Festival celebrates the culture and heritage of our island community. This event will feature skilled practitioners who will showcase their expertise in areas such as medicine, weaving, cooking, slingshot throwing, and more. The festival will also include a concert to celebrate the people of Rota and its visitors.
For more information, contact the Rota Mayor’s Office at 1(670) 532-9451 or www.facebook.com/rotamayorspressrelease.

Saipan Marathon
2025-03-08
The Marianas Visitors Authority staging its 2025 Saipan Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K Fun Run on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Good health is important for every living individual and experts agree that running is one of the best ways to maintain proper health. Come join us in this magnificent event featuring the beautiful nature and scenery that Saipan has to offer. All course will be certified measured course by the World Athletics in cooperation with AIMS. Online Registration at Race roster will be opening soon. For more information, please contact Ed Diaz at MVA Office at 664-3200 or email at ediaz@mymarianas.com.

President's Day
2025-02-17

Tinian Hot Pepper Festival Cornhole Tournament
2025-02-15 15:00 - 18:00 | Tinian Fiesta Grounds, Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands

21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival & Pika Run 5K
2025-02-14 - 2025-02-15
Pika Run 5K 2025 Registration Form
Pika Run 5K 2025 Registration Form: https://www.mymarianas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pika-Run-5K-2025-Registration-Form.pdf
The iconic Tinian Hot Pepper Festival returns to The Marianas on President’s Day holiday weekend with food, fun, and flaming hot spiciness. The festival will be from 6:30 p.m to 11 p.m. on Feb. 14 and from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Feb. 15. Food vendors will open at lunchtime. Festivities will include food sales, live entertainment, competitions, arts, and crafts sales, and more on the island of Tinian, a 10-minute commuter flight from the capitol island of Saipan. The festival, affectionately known as “Pika Fest” among locals (“pika” means spicy), pays homage to Tinian’s small but famous “donni’ sali” hot pepper.
The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is an annual signature event of the MVA organized in cooperation with the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan and will once again be held at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, adjacent to the picturesque Jones Beach and House of Taga, a U.S. National Historic Landmark featuring limestone monoliths carved by ancient Chamorros.
Get ready to run like your tail’s on fire! The 2nd Annual Pika Run 5K fires up on Feb. 15, 2025.
“Pika” means “spicy” in the Chamorro language. The run will start at 6:30 a.m. at the Fiesta Grounds Road Intersection in San Jose, Tinian, and proceed along the historic World War II-era Broadway before returning to the starting point. Registration is $15. Cash prizes will be awarded in Men and Women’s Divisions: $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, and $75 for 3rd place in two categories, Over-All and Under 18. Registration can be made the MVA offices in Tinian or Saipan or with the Tinian International Women’s Alliance at the Office of the Mayor of Tinian or by emailing dorthy.sannicolas@gmail.com or jydecena89@gmail.com. Registration and payment can also be made on race day from 6:00 – 6:30 a.m. at the start line. All participants will receive a t-shirt.
Free camping is available at Jones Beach, Taga Beach (toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers available) and at the adjacent Tachogna Beach (barbecue pits, outdoor showers, and toilets are available). Hotel accommodations are provided by Tinian Ocean View Hotel, Tinian Diamond Hotel and Casino, Tinian Diamond Suites, Tinian Western Lodge Hotel, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Tinian Street Motel, Fleming Hotel, Sunshine Hotel and Green Lion House Hotel.
For more information on the Festival or Pika Run 5K, contact Tinian Field Operations Supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas or 1.670.433.9365 or MVA Community Projects Coordinator Sherman Santos at ssantos@mymarianas.co or 1.670.664.3200, Or for the Pika Run 5K, contact the Tinian Mayor’s Office at dorthy.sannicolas@gmail.com or 1.670.433.1802.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2025-01-20

Rota Marathon
2025-01-18
The Marianas Visitors Authority will be hosting a Full Marathon, Half Marathon and a 5K Fun Run on Saturday, January 18, 2025 in Rota. For more information, please contact Mr. David Atalig at 670-532-0327 or email at datalig@mymarianas.com

New Year's Day
2025-01-01

20th Annual Christmas in the Marianas
2024-12-28, 2024-12-21, 2024-12-14
It is about that time for the most exciting, long-awaited holiday season of the year. The 20th Annual Christmas in The Marianas takes place every Saturday at the Paseo De Marianas (PDM) in Garapan. The event features decorated Christmas trees, a Christmas parade, and a costume/caroling contest. Various schools from around The Marianas volunteer to show their holiday spirits by decorating the PDM with magnificent Christmas decors. The Christmas parade features floats with beautiful bright lights and attracts not only locals but many visitors as well. Cheerful students represent their schools as contestants for the costume/caroling contest. Be awed by how Christmas is celebrated here in The Marianas. You must see it to believe it!

For more information, please contact the MVA at +1-670-664-3200 or email jaranda@mymarianas.com

Christmas Day
2024-12-25
