The 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas gathers a crowd on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
Mount Carmel School performs at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
Agape Christian School performs at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
Dancers perform a Chamorro dance at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
Wataru Kadokura mans the Fotten Gåga’ vendor booth at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
Josefina Norita, Jriannalynn Torres, and Telinamae Mality take a pause from dancing for a photo at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
A student from Marianas High School shows off his costume made from recyclable material at the 19th Annual Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 16, 2023, at T Galleria in Garapan, Saipan.
(MVA) — The final night of Christmas in the Marianas, Saturday, Dec. 30, will feature the Mochitsuki Festival at T Galleria in Saipan.
The annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority is organized in collaboration with PDM Promoters, Team PDI, and DFS Saipan.
Following the Marianas Experience — a free, interactive indigenous cultural exhibition — from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Saipan Awaodori dance troupe will perform. At 6 p.m. the Japanese Mochitsuki Festival will start, welcoming the new year with the ceremonial pounding of “mochi,” or glutinous rice. At 8 p.m., school awards for best Christmas caroling and skits will be presented, with the Marianas Experience closing out the night with entertainment up until 9 p.m.
“Christmas in the Marianas at T Galleria this year has been another entertaining display of the many cultures that make up our Marianas community…a real delight, thanks to the enthusiastic holiday spirit of our schools,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We’re pleased to bring back the Mochitsuki Festival this Saturday, and we invite all our visitors and community to stop by and enjoy the dances, songs, mochi-pounding, awards, food, and other fun as we close out 2023 and welcome 2024 with high hopes.”
This event is sponsored by Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, iShop, and Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods. Other event supporters are the CNMI Public School System and Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc.
Participating schools have been William S. Reyes Elementary School, Hopwood Middle School, Grace Christian Academy, Golden Harvest International School, Green Meadow School, Tanapag Middle School, Saipan International School, Garapan Elementary School, Dandan Middle School, Northern Marianas International School, Agape Christian School, San Vicente Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Brilliant Star School, Mount Carmel School, Oleai Elementary School, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Saipan Southern High School, Marianas High School, Saipan Community School, and Koblerville Elementary School.
A display of Christmas Trees featuring natural and recycled decorations made by schoolchildren is staged in front of the DFS main entrance.
For more information, contact lead event coordinator and MVA Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda at [email protected] or (670) 664-3200/1 or visit the Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com/.
