Guam’s holiday season runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, and late December is one of the island’s busiest times for visitors: the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) counted 96,449 visitors in December 2025. Expect slower traffic near the shopping centers and in Tumon at night, and plan around closures on December 25 and January 1, when government offices, the War in the Pacific visitor center and public buses shut down. TAICO Rent-A-Car’s Main Office is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the holidays, but cars are limited, so reserve as soon as your travel dates are set.
- Guam public holidays this season: Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 26, 2026), Our Lady of Camarin Day (Tue, Dec 8), Christmas Day (Fri, Dec 25) and New Year’s Day (Fri, Jan 1, 2027)
- Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are not public holidays, but many stores close early
- Traffic builds on Marine Corps Drive (Route 1) between Tamuning and Hagåtña, near the shopping centers in Dededo and Tamuning, and in Tumon on New Year’s Eve
- Public buses don’t run on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or any Sunday
- TAICO Rent-A-Car’s Main Office never closes, so a late-night arrival or a New Year’s Day pickup is not a problem
- Guam police step up DUI enforcement over the holidays. If you drink, don’t drive
Which days are holidays in Guam this season?
Guam law sets four public holidays between late November and New Year’s Day. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are regular business days, though many stores shorten their hours.
| Date | Holiday | What it means for drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Thanksgiving | Government offices, post offices and public buses closed. Black Friday sales on Nov 27 bring shoppers to the malls |
| Tue, Dec 8, 2026 | Our Lady of Camarin Day (Santa Marian Kamalen) | A Guam holiday; Government of Guam offices close. A religious procession can slow traffic around the cathedral in Hagåtña |
| Thu, Dec 24, 2026 | Christmas Eve (not a public holiday) | Some stores close earlier than usual |
| Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | Government offices, many businesses and public buses closed |
| Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | New Year’s Eve (not a public holiday) | Heavy evening traffic in Tumon. Midnight fireworks were held in Tumon and Hagåtña in 2025 |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | New Year’s Day | Government offices and post offices closed. Some businesses open with holiday hours |
Of the 96,449 visitors in December 2025, 51,828 came from Korea and 29,476 from Japan. If your relatives are flying in for Christmas, they’ll be sharing hotels and rental counters with a lot of other travelers.
Where does traffic back up during the holidays?
Holiday traffic builds where island residents’ shopping overlaps with visitor travel. Give yourself extra time in the afternoon and evening.
| Area | Times to watch | Driving tip |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Corps Drive (Route 1), Tamuning to Hagåtña | Weekday rush hours and December weekends | Head to Hagåtña or the south in the morning |
| Shopping centers in Dededo and Tamuning | December weekends, Black Friday and the days before Christmas | Arrive near opening time and allow extra time to exit the parking lot |
| Pale San Vitores Road (Tumon’s hotel strip) | Evenings, especially New Year’s Eve | If you’re staying in Tumon, walking may be faster at night |
| Around Ypao Beach Park | New Year’s Eve, before and after the fireworks | Park early and wait a little before driving out after the show |
To welcome 2026, GVB launched two simultaneous midnight fireworks shows: one from Gov. Joseph Flores Beach Park at Ypao Beach in Tumon and one over Hagåtña Bay. GVB had not announced plans for New Year’s Eve 2026 when this article was written, so check its announcements in December.
What is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day?
Government offices and many businesses close on December 25 and January 1. Holiday hours change every year, so check the official page before you drive anywhere.
| Place | Dec 25 and Jan 1 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government offices and post offices | Closed | Government of Guam offices also close on Thanksgiving and Dec 8; post offices also close on Thanksgiving |
| War in the Pacific National Historical Park visitor center (Asan) | Closed | Also closed on Thanksgiving. Check outdoor sites individually |
| Shopping centers (Micronesia Mall, Guam Premier Outlets and others) | Some close on Christmas Day | Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve hours may be shorter; some open on New Year’s Day. Check each center’s 2026 holiday hours |
| Public buses (GRTA) | No service on Dec 25 | No service on Sundays all year (including Dec 27, 2026). Check the 2027 schedule for Jan 1 |
| TAICO Rent-A-Car’s Main Office | Open 24 hours | Open on Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day |
When much of the island is closed, a scenic drive along the southern coast is a good way to spend the day. Bring water and snacks, since fewer places to eat will be open.
How early should you book a rental car for the holidays?
Book your car when you book your flights. Demand rises from Christmas week through New Year’s Day, and the vehicle size you want may be gone if you wait.
Booking early matters most if:
- Family is flying in to visit. If relatives are joining you for the holidays, count passengers, suitcases and gifts, and pick a vehicle that fits everyone. Child seats can be added as an option when you book (rear seats only)
- Your flight lands late at night. TAICO Rent-A-Car’s Main Office is open around the clock, so midnight and early-morning pickups are available. Add your flight number and arrival time to the reservation
- Your rental starts between late December and early January. This is the peak of holiday travel. Reserve once you know your pickup date instead of waiting until you land
We recommend adding coverage for peace of mind. Busy roads and crowded parking lots make small scrapes more likely.
How do you drive safely in Guam over the holidays?
The biggest holiday risks are impaired driving, pedestrians after dark and parking on New Year’s Eve.
- Don’t drink and drive. In Guam it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or 0.04% or higher if you are under 21, and police run DUI enforcement through the holidays. Staying under the limit doesn’t make driving after drinking safe. If you plan to drink, take a taxi or arrange a ride
- It gets dark early. In December 2026, sunset in Hagåtña ranges from about 5:51 p.m. (Dec 1) to 6:04 p.m. (Dec 31). If you drive south, plan to be back before dark
- Watch for pedestrians in Tumon. People heading to the lights and fireworks cross the road, sometimes away from crosswalks. Slow down on Pale San Vitores Road
- Park legally on New Year’s Eve. Don’t park in no-parking zones or in other businesses’ lots without permission. If you’re staying nearby, leave the car at your hotel and walk
- Check the weather. December is a transition month between Guam’s rainy and dry seasons, and heavy showers and strong winds still happen. Typhoons are possible year-round. For rainy-day tips, read Rainy Day in Guam: Indoor Stops and Safe Driving Advice
Where can you see holiday lights in Guam by car?
Hotels and parks around Tumon put up Christmas trees and light displays every December. Our blog has photos from past seasons:
- Christmas in the Middle of Summer: Christmas Trees at Guam Hotels, Part 1 (four parts in all)
- Night at Ypao Beach Park
In Hagåtña, Skinner Plaza hosted the 4th Annual Governor’s Holiday Light Festival Parade and lighting on December 17, 2025, and its light displays stayed up into early January. The 2026 schedule had not been announced when this article was written.
FAQ
Is TAICO Rent-A-Car open on Christmas and New Year’s Day?
Yes. TAICO Rent-A-Car’s Main Office is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including December 25, December 31 and January 1. Cars are limited during the holidays, so book early.
What is closed in Guam on Christmas Day?
Government offices, post offices and the War in the Pacific visitor center are closed, and public buses don’t run. Some shopping centers also close on Christmas Day, so check holiday hours before you go.
Can I drive to the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Tumon?
You can, but Pale San Vitores Road and the area around Ypao Beach Park get very crowded, and traffic moves slowly right after the show. If you’re staying in Tumon, walking is easier.
When is traffic worst in Guam during the holidays?
Weekday rush hours on Marine Corps Drive, December weekends near the shopping centers, and New Year’s Eve in Tumon. Traffic patterns change on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, when many businesses are closed.
Information checked: November 5, 2026. Holiday dates are for 2026–27. Store, facility and bus holiday hours and fireworks and light-display plans change every year, so confirm before you go.
