Guam in April | Ko'ko' Road Race, Barrigada Fiesta & Weather

Guam Has No Public Holiday in April

Check Guam's government calendar and April is one of the months with no official holiday. Five months a year go without one — February, April, June, August, and October. Unlike October, which used to have Columbus Day before it was discontinued in 2017, there's no record of April ever having held a holiday of its own. It's simply one of the months that falls outside Guam's twelve designated public holidays (January 1, January 19, March 2, May 25, July 3, July 21, September 7, November 2, November 11, November 26, December 8, and December 25).

There's a small surprise hiding in that fact, though. Easter Sunday — arguably the single most important day of the year on an island with such deep Catholic roots — isn't on that official holiday list either. Easter is a moveable feast that can fall in March some years; in 2026 it lands on April 5. The Archdiocese of Agaña's Holy Week schedule runs from Palm Sunday on March 29, through Holy Thursday (with the washing of feet) on April 2, Good Friday (Stations of the Cross and a procession) on April 3, and the Easter Vigil on April 4, to Easter Sunday itself on April 5. It's the most important week of the year for the church, yet it isn't treated as a government holiday — a small contrast that says something about how Guam draws the line. In practice, that means April runs on a normal schedule: government offices and shops stay open, without the crowds or closures a holiday can bring.

April Running Event: Guam Ko'ko' Road Race

April has no Government of Guam public holiday, but it can feature one of GVB's signature sporting events: the Guam Ko'ko' Road Race. The 2026 edition ran April 11–12 from Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach), with a half marathon, 5K Ekiden relay and kids run. Dates and race formats can change by year, so check the current event schedule and any Tumon traffic advisories before driving near the course.

Barrigada's Village Fiesta: San Vicente Ferrer

Guam's village fiestas trace back to a custom Spanish missionaries brought with them — honoring a patron saint on their feast day — which took root in Chamorro community life. Many villages hold a nine-day novena leading up to the day, capped by a procession and a festal Mass. People travel from across the island to fulfill a "promesa," a personal vow made to the saint in thanks for a favor granted.

One such celebration is the San Vicente Ferrer Fiesta, held in the central village of Barrigada. In 2026, Mass begins at 4:30 p.m. on April 18, followed roughly an hour later by a procession through the neighborhood streets around the church — San Vicente & San Roque Catholic Church, 229 San Roque Drive, Barrigada, Guam 96913. San Vicente Ferrer was a Dominican preacher known as the "Angel of the Judgment," typically depicted with wings and a trumpet. The church's dual name suggests Barrigada actually has two patron saints: San Roque, traditionally associated with healing, and San Vicente Ferrer.

Barrigada: The "Belly" of the Island

The name Barigåda means "flank," a reference to the village's central position on the island — echoing the Chamorro creation story of Puntan and Fu'una, in which the island is likened to a human body. Numerous latte stones have been found in what's now the Tiyan area, suggesting the region was inhabited long before European contact. Chamorros were driven out during the Spanish-Chamorro Wars of the late 1600s, but before long returned to use the land for ranching and hunting. By the early 20th century, a settlement had grown up near today's P.C. Lujan Elementary School, surrounded by scattered farms — an agricultural community of 875 people as of 1940.

The turning point came after World War II. The U.S. military needed the old village center for a golf course and other facilities, so the village relocated to where San Vicente Church stands today; the Navy laid out new streets and lots, and the church itself was built in 1947. Many families displaced from war-torn Hagåtña resettled here permanently, and the village's population grew 270% between 1940 and 1946. Barrigada today is one of Guam's most densely populated inland communities — and at its center still sits the church that grew out of that postwar relocation.

As it happens, April 18, 2026 also brings the Santa Bernadita Fiesta to Agafa Gumas in Yigo, a newer residential community — a centuries-old central village and a young, growing parish, each celebrating its own patron saint on the very same day.

Exact timing can shift from year to year, since the church sets the date, so check the Guam Visitors Bureau's official site before you go.

April Weather and Driving Tips

April sits at the tail end of the dry season that runs from January. Rainfall is relatively low for the year, in the calm stretch just before the shift toward the wetter months of May and June. Daytime temperatures typically run 27–31°C, and the sun is about as strong as it gets — sun protection is worth taking seriously this month.

Tropical cyclones can affect Guam in any month. NWS Guam's long-term climatology shows more activity near the island from summer into fall, while April is comparatively quieter. For travel planning with rain to watch for, April is a comparatively calm, easy month to be out and about in a rental car.

A few things worth keeping in mind while driving this month:

• Bring sunglasses — the midday glare can be intense
• Stay ahead of the heat and UV exposure with regular water breaks
• Sudden downpours start becoming more common as the season turns, so keep a compact umbrella or rain gear in the car even on a clear morning
• Expect some traffic control around Barrigada during the fiesta procession, so build in extra time if you're passing through

Planning to Visit Guam in April? Compare Rental Car Rates Early

Late April marks the start of Japan's Golden Week — a run of holidays beginning April 29, 2026 — one of the busiest travel windows of the year. Add in the San Vicente Ferrer Fiesta weekend around April 18, when traffic heading toward Barrigada picks up, and it's worth locking in your car ahead of time. Rates and vehicle choice tend to be easier to navigate earlier in the month — compare your options and book with some room to spare.

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