After two-year break, Guam Liberation Day to be celebrated

Guam Liberation Day on July 21st is the island’s most important holiday aside from Discovery Day (the first Monday in March).

Liberation Day commemorates the U.S. military liberating the island from Japanese occupation on July 21, 1944.

Prior the COVID-19 pandemic, the island would go into a month-long celebration with many festivities including a carnival, history lectures, a night market with many food vendors, games and booths and more activities at the Pasco Sports Complex/Hagatna Boat Basin area. For the last two years, however, many of the festivities were put on hold.

This year, as COVID-19 numbers dwindle, the island will bring back some of the festivities for a special two-day event with the theme of “The Strength to Overcome, The Faith to Persevere!” marking 78 years since Liberation.

Events scheduled include the famous Liberation Parade, Special Liberation Fandanña Friday Event, a drone light show and fireworks displays. However, there will be no carnival and no coronation of a Liberation Queen this year.

The Liberation Day parade is scheduled on July 21 along Marine Corp Drive and will be broadcasted live by Channel 12 TV. To close the first day, a drone light show and fireworks display will follow the parade.

Day two will feature the special Liberation Fandanña Friday Event at Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach) where you can enjoy various entertainment, food trucks and family activities, along with the Liberation Freedom Jump with US and Guam flags. Another fireworks display in the evening will wrap up the two-day festival.

The schedule of the planned events is TBA, so please visit the Guam Visitors Bureau’s official event page for more details as they become available.

Get ready to celebrate the return of Liberation Day this year!

78th Guam Liberation upcoming events & activities

Schedule updates

2-Day Festivities

1st Day

Thursday, July 21, 2022

• 78th Liberation Parade along Marine Corps Drive PBS Live Broadcast of the Liberation Parade, TV Channel 12
• Liberation Drone Light Show and Fireworks Display in Paseo, Agana

Friday, July 22, 2022

• Special Liberation Fandanña Friday Event at Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach)

Entertainment, Food Trucks, & Family Activities
Liberation Freedom Jump (US and Guam Flags)

• Fireworks display in Ypao Beach

Memorial Events

YONA - Manenggon Memorial
July 3 (Sun) at 9 a.m.
Location: Manenggon Memorial

YONA - Asinan Memorial
July 3 (Sun) at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Pago Bridge

M-T-M - Marine Depot
July 7 (Thur) at 9 a.m.
Location: Maite (across Car’s Plus)

Barrigada - Kålaguak Memorial
July 8 (Fri) at 9 a.m.
Location: Tiyan, Barrigada

Mangilao - Mangilao Memorial
July 12 (Tue) at 9 a.m.
Location: Mangilao Mayor’s Office

Inalahan - Inalahan Memorial
July 13 (Wed) at 9 a.m.
Location: Agfayan (across Bear Rock)

Asan - Asan Memorial Landing
July 14 (Thur) at 10 a.m.
Location: Asan Memorial Beach Park

Malesso - Tinta and Faha Memorial
July 15 (Fri) (time: TBA)
Location: Site Visitation

Malesso - Tinta and Faha Memorial Mass
July 16 (Sat) at 5 p.m.
Location: San Dimas/Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Hågat - Hågat Memorial
July 19 (Tue) (time: TBA)
Location: Next to the Hagat Senior Center

Sånta Rita-Sumai - Sumai Memorial
July 20 (Wed) at 11 a.m.
Location: Naval Base Cemetery

Yigo - Chagui’an Massacre
August 8 (Mon) at 9 a.m.
Location: Yigo