Guam Announces 2015 Year-Round Events – Experience Land, Sea, and Air Activities

Reported and photographed by You Tzu-ju / Taipei

The Guam Visitors Bureau held a press conference today (13th) to announce a variety of international and local events throughout the year, ranging from overnight marathons, aromatic street food parties, indigenous cultural experiences to shopping festivals. Different themed activities will take turns to captivate visitors. Yan Defen, representative of the Guam Visitors Bureau Taiwan Office, said: “Although Guam is only about the size of two Taipei cities, it combines natural scenery with local culture.”


▲ Yan Defen, Representative of the Guam Visitors Bureau Taiwan Office.

The year-round events in Guam are mainly divided into three categories: First are cultural and major carnival events, including the 28th Guam & Micronesia Islands Carnival, Guam International Music Festival, Guam Open-Air BBQ Party, and Guam Shopping Festival; second are sporting events, which also make up the largest number of activities, covering international competitions such as the 3rd Guam International Marathon, Guam Ko’Ko’ International Marathon, and the Guam Cycling Tour, as well as diverse sports like jiu-jitsu, cross-country triathlon, Cocos Island Swim, and bodybuilding contests; the last category features village events rich in the local Chamorro culture, with various theme carnivals hosted in rotation by different villages in Guam, such as the Mango Festival, Coconut Festival, and Chamorro Crab Festival, offering rare opportunities for visitors to deeply explore Guam’s local produce and culture.

Key Promotional Events by the Guam Visitors Bureau in 2015
XTERRA Guam Off-Road Triathlon (April 11)
This endurance triathlon event held on the beautiful island of Guam not only offers a $15,000 prize but also qualifies participants for the amateur entry to the international championship to be held on Mooréa Island in late October. The XTERRA Guam Triathlon Championship includes a 1.5 km swim, a 34 km bike race, and concludes with an 8.2 km trail run.

3rd Guam International Marathon (April 12)
Offering full marathon, half marathon, 10 km, and 5 km categories. The event will attract both local and overseas athletes from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and more. Taiwanese anchor-runner Xu Pei-yi and travel writer Wen Shikai will represent Taiwan. Taiwanese participants can sign up for the “Guam International Marathon Challenge Tour 8+1 Days” package.

28th Guam & Micronesia Islands Carnival (May 15–17)
Outstanding artists from the Micronesian islands of the northwest Pacific gather in Guam, showcasing carving crafts, navigation techniques, woven goods, classic songs and dances, and authentic cuisine — a perfect opportunity to experience the essence of millennia-old traditions.

Guam International Music Festival (June 5–6)
The 2nd Guam International Music Festival invites top bands and musicians from the United States, Japan, Korea, and Guam to deliver spectacular performances at the Agana Shopping Center. This will be the grandest music celebration in Guam’s history, and all music lovers from home and abroad are welcome to join in.

Guam Open-Air BBQ Party (July 4)
The Guam Visitors Bureau will host a street-closing open-air BBQ party in Guam. Come taste the most authentic dishes and experience the Hafa Adai spirit of Guam. Local master chefs will prepare delicious barbecue, along with live performances by local musicians, special Guam-made products, and traditional dance cultural experiences.


Guam Shopping Festival (November 1 – February 15)
The Guam International Shopping Festival kicks off every November and lasts for three months. From November to February, visitors from around the world can enjoy unexpectedly great shopping discounts. It’s a shopping paradise for families and couples alike.

Guam Ko’Ko’ International Marathon & Kids Fun Run (December 6)
The Guam Ko’Ko’ International Marathon is a classic event in Guam, featuring a half marathon and a 4-person relay race. Named after Guam’s unique bird, the Ko’Ko’, this event gathers thousands of runners from Asia, the United States, and Guam, offering a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the scenic west coast of Guam. The family-friendly Guam Ko’Ko’ Kids Fun Run includes 0.6 km, 1.6 km, and 3.3 km categories for children aged 4 to 12. Each participating child receives a T-shirt and a finisher medal, while the top three in each group will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.