Yap Festivals & Events
Yap Day
This annual event is usually held over two days around March 1st and is one of the premier and largest cultural events in all of Micronesia. The event is hosted in different municipalities every year and showcases and celebrates everything Yapese – traditions, culture, heritage, food, family, and community. The festivities usually kick off with the traditional conch shell blowing and presentation of stone money. Then throughout the two days there are various colourful standing and sitting traditional dances by male and female groups from the communities. There is also ongoing presentations and demonstrations of local crafts, food, drinks and other traditional items Other activities include traditional skills competitions, displays of ceremonial dress and traditional tattoos, log pulling, coconut husking, and guided tours of the host municipality.
World Tuna Day
This annual fishing tournament is held coincide with World Tuna Day which is observed on May 2 in many coastal zones throughout the planet. This date commemorates the achievement of fishing communities, scientists, and environmentalists who came together to protect tuna schools around the world and help create a sustainable fishing model. In addition to the weigh-ins and other fishing related activities, a night market is usually held at the Yap Living History Museum on the day of the tournament. At this market there are live band performances, traditional Yapese dance, vendor booths and lots of other activities.
World Tuna Day celebrations in Yap, and throughout the Federated States of Micronesia, are a project of the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority ("NORMA").
Micronesia Expo 2025
Yap will be hosting the 4th Micronesia Expo, which will run from July 21-25, 2025. This annual Expo is a major highlight on the Micronesian calendar and is designed to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of all states that comprise the Federated States of Micronesia - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. Hundreds of delegates and visitors are expected to converge on Yap for the Expo to enjoy and experience the numerous attractions, activities and events that will be on offer. These include a parade of the states; traditional dance and singing performances; handicraft, carving and weaving exhibits and demonstrations; fishing and cooking tournaments; island tours; and, the operation of a cultural village throughout the Expo.
MantaFest
The MantaFest is Yap's annual Dive festival organized by the Manta Ray Bay Resort. This is the Pacific Ocean's premier dive photography event that takes place over two weeks, usually in August and September. The annual MantaFest event brings together scuba divers and underwater photography enthusiasts from around the World for an unforgettable celebration and exploration of Yap's underwater treasures.
The event features photography seminars and an Underwater Photography Competition offering an exceptional opportunity to explore the exotic and, often, hidden marine life of Yap. Land-based tours and social events, including secluded beach barbecues and traditional dance performances, provide a fascinating introduction to Yapese traditional culture and lifestyle, one of the most well-preserved of all Pacific Island cultures. For information of this year's event visit the Manta Fest website.
Blackwater Fest
Promoting nighttime underwater photography the Blackwater Fest Photography School event in Yap is scheduled to immediately follow the annual MantaFest. Each night participants explore the waters of drop-offs over one of the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, the "Yap Trench", that reaches depths of over 9,000 meters. Blackwater Fest Photo Seminars are held during the day and participants can learn valuable underwater photographic skills from a professional photographer then they apply their new knowledge during their evening dives.
For more information on this year's event visit the Blackwater Fest website.
Christmas at the Museum
In the week leading up to Christmas Day, a daily Christmas Night Market is held at the very festively decorated Yap Living History Museum. This event features a number of vendors offering local cuisine, treats, and other items for sale. Additionally, there is also a special Christmas raffle and a visit by Santa Claus to spread joy and share tons of treats.
Island Market
This event is held on the last Friday of every month on the grounds of the Yap Living History Museum. The market features local vendors offering for sale fresh local produce, plants, food and refreshments, local craft items and sometime clothing.
Special additional Island Markets are also held during cruise ship calls, special occasions and when major conferences and meetings are being hosted on Yap.
