Guam in March | Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day, and Southern Village Fiestas

March Opens with a Month-Long Celebration

The first Monday of March is Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day. In 2026, that falls on March 2.

As covered on our October page, Guam once observed Columbus Day in October, a holiday that has gone unobserved since 2017 — and its concept passed into this March holiday. To be precise, though, the March holiday itself wasn't newly created in 2017. It already existed from 1970 onward under the name Guam Discovery Day. What really happened, amid the retirement of Columbus Day, is that the holiday's name and focus were reworked — from celebrating a "discovery" to relearning Chamorro history and culture.

The October page centered on why this holiday exists. Here, let's go a step further and look at what actually happens on it. This isn't just a day off — it's the opening of a month-long observance called Mes CHamoru (Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Month). Mes CHamoru began in Guam's public schools back in the 1970s and has since grown into an island-wide affair involving government offices and private businesses alike. Throughout March, schools, offices, and shops put up displays on Chamorro tradition and history, while shopping malls and hotels host demonstrations of traditional weaving, dance, cooking, and fashion. What defines this time of year isn't so much the single holiday as the fact that Chamorro culture is visible all month long.

The Centerpiece: Humåtak's Guam History and CHamoru Heritage Day Festival

The heart of Mes CHamoru is a festival held in the southern village of Humåtak (Umatac) — the same village featured in our October page for the San Dionisio Fiesta. In 2026, it runs for four days, February 27 (Friday) through March 2 (Monday, the holiday), with hours from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon to midnight on the other three days.

The festival features guided heritage walking tours around the village's historic sites and a theatrical reenactment of Magellan's 1521 landing called the Magellan Mock Landing, alongside heritage exhibitions, carnival games, live music from local musicians and bands, traditional and modern dance performances, cultural competitions, land and water races, food booths, and fireworks. For more on Humåtak's history — Legazpi's landing, Fort Soledad, and the rest — see our October page.

The Chamorro People and Their Culture

With this holiday and festival in mind, it's worth introducing Guam's indigenous people, the Chamorro. In the 2020 census, 32.8% of Guam's population identified as Chamorro alone, and 37.2% identified as Chamorro alone or in combination with another ethnicity — making it the island's largest ethnic group. The Chamorro language is still spoken today and carefully preserved.

Since Spanish rule in the 17th century, Catholic faith has been central to Chamorro life, and every village has its own patron saint. October's San Dionisio Fiesta and Inarajan's St. Joseph fiesta, covered below, are both rooted in that village-by-village devotion. On the food side, red rice is a staple, along with kelaguen — grilled, diced chicken mixed with lemon juice, coconut, and chili — and pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish with Filipino roots. Traditional crafts endure too: baskets and hats woven from pandanus leaves and coconut fiber, and woodcarving and blacksmithing skills passed down to younger generations through apprenticeship.

Another Village Fiesta: St. Joseph in Inarajan

March also brings a second fiesta, in the southern village of Inalåhan (Inarajan): Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. In 2026 it falls on March 19, centered on St. Joseph Catholic Church (Route 4, Inalåhan, Guam 96917), beginning at 4:30 p.m.

On the day, a procession carries a statue of St. Joseph through the village's historic streets, praying for the protection of families and fathers. Mass follows, and then the village feast known as "Gupot," serving traditional Chamorro food. Inalåhan's parish was established by the Spanish in 1680, and the village is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Guam's Spanish colonial era, with its historic streets and architecture still intact (it's also home to Gef Pa'go, a cultural village built for visitors). St. Joseph is actually honored twice a year here — as Husband of Mary in March, and as St. Joseph the Worker in May.

Village fiesta dates can shift from year to year at the church's discretion, so check the Guam Visitors Bureau's official site for the latest before you go.

March Weather and Driving Tips

March sits at the peak of Guam's dry season and is typically the driest month of the year. Average rainfall runs around 50–60mm, with temperatures generally in the 26–30°C range — noticeably more comfortable than October's mugginess and sudden downpours.

March is historically one of the quieter months for tropical-cyclone activity near Guam. Cyclones can still occur at any time of year, so check the latest forecast even when planning a dry-season drive through southern Guam.

A few things to keep in mind while driving a rental car this month:

• Roads heading south can get busier than usual around the Humåtak festival (Feb 27–Mar 2) and the Inarajan St. Joseph fiesta (Mar 19)
• Parking near the festival grounds is limited, so leave extra time
• Dry season or not, Guam's sun is strong — pack sunscreen and stay hydrated
• Government offices and banks close for the March 2 holiday, so plan currency exchange or paperwork around it

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

March's calm, dry-season weather makes for easy driving, but traffic heading south picks up during the weeks of the Humåtak festival and the Inarajan fiesta. If you're planning a full day exploring Chamorro culture in the south, it's worth locking in a comfortable vehicle and a relaxed schedule ahead of time. Compare rates early and book with room to spare.

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