Craft Fairs & Farmers Markets in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan runs on a weekly rhythm — Thursday nights mean the Garapan Street Market, Saturday mornings belong to the farmers markets, and every Saturday evening in May is Taste of the Marianas at American Memorial Park. That's 7 events, with the Flame Tree Arts Festival in April and Liberation Day in early July.
Christmas in July
HolidayEvening pop-up night market run by the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at Northern Marianas College. More than 20 small-business vendors sell food, drinks, handmade goods, and services, spanning crafters, bakers, jewelry and candle makers, and food trucks. Deliberately positioned as a no-cost showcase for entrepreneurs without storefronts. Includes a table-decorating contest and a raffle passport that routes foot traffic through every booth.
Flame Tree Arts Festival
ArtisanThe CNMI's largest and longest-running festival, produced by the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture. It functions as a three-day arts market: registered and non-registered artists sell handmade traditional and contemporary work including carving, weaving, shell and beach-glass jewelry, resin art, and wood craft, alongside a small capped block of food vendor slots. Artists travel in from Tinian, Rota, Guam, and elsewhere in Micronesia. Registration opens roughly six weeks ahead at the Arts Council office and fills first-come. Runs 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. each evening.
Garapan Public Market
FarmersFarmers cooperative market on Beach Road dedicated to promoting fresh local produce and value-added products, operating alongside the CNMI Farmers Cooperative Association at the same address. Outdoor stalls run Saturday mornings and a permanent indoor market opens most of the week. Sellers are cooperative member farmers; the mix runs to local fruit and root crops, fresh coconut, and frozen prepared local foods. Facebook is the operator's only web presence.
Garapan Street Market
Pop-UpWeekly Thursday night street market relaunched by the CNMI Office of the Governor's Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse in collaboration with the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. Slots are split between food vendors and artists or crafters, with cultural performances each week. Vendors supply their own tents, tables, and chairs; electrical hookup is available for an added nightly charge. The market has moved venues several times between Paseo de Marianas and the Garapan Fishing Base, so confirm the current site before committing.
Liberation Day Celebration
FestivalThe Commonwealth's largest annual celebration, run by the Saipan Mayor's Office through the Liberation Day Committee at the Civic Center grounds in Susupe. Vendor categories include food and beverage, carnival and specialty treats, retail merchandise, arts and crafts, games and family entertainment, and informational or community booths. Slots are limited and reviewed first-come; a fire permit is among the requirements. Carnival, retail, and local artist slots filled early in 2026. Concession and parade fees were waived for the 2026 edition during Typhoon Sinlaku recovery.
Sabalu Farmers Market
FarmersSaturday morning farmers market operated by the Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association Inc. (KAFPA) under a memorandum of understanding with the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources. Roughly 21 booth lots for local farmers selling fresh produce and value-added goods, with lots also reserved for KAFPA members farming on Rota and Tinian and for partner agencies running community information tables. Booth assignment is handled directly by the two market managers rather than through an application form.
Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival
FoodThe Marianas Visitors Authority's signature Marianas Tourism Month festival, staged across five consecutive Saturday evenings at American Memorial Park. Around 23 food and drink vendors drawn from local hotels and restaurants, plus arts and crafts vendors, cooking and eating competitions, and live entertainment. Vendor and sponsorship inquiries route directly to the MVA community projects specialist rather than through an online form.
