TINIAN HOT PEPPER FESTIVAL ON FEB. 13-14, 2026
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) — The iconic Tinian Hot Pepper Festival returns to the Marianas for its 22nd staging on Feb. 13-14, 2025, bringing two days of food, fun, and flaming-hot island flavor to a Pacific island steeped in history.
Just a 10-minute commuter flight from the capital island of Saipan, Tinian is known for its historic sites - including the latte stone monoliths of the ancient Chamorro people, shrines and other ruins from the Japanese administrative era, and North Field - the busiest airport in the world during World War II. Pristine beaches, quiet roadways, and friendly locals add to the feeling of stepping outside of time. The festival—affectionately known as “Pika Fest” (“pika” meaning spicy)—honors the island’s small but mighty donni’ sali, a hot pepper so fiery and flavorful that it has become a cultural icon of Tinian itself.
“Tinian on President’s Day weekend is truly something special,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “There’s a warmth here that you feel the moment you arrive—friendly faces, incredible food, music that pulls you in, and a whole island ready to welcome you like family. Add the spark of our famous donni’ sali, and you’ve got a weekend that’s joyful, flavorful, and unforgettable. Hotel rooms always fill up quickly, so book your stay or bring your camping gear and come experience a Far from Ordinary Tinian Hot Pepper Festival!”
Festivalgoers can look forward to food sales, live entertainment, competitions, arts and crafts, and more. The celebration begins the evening of Feb. 13 and continues through until late on Feb. 14 at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian—steps away from the picturesque Jones Beach and the historic House of Taga, a U.S. National Historic Landmark featuring ancient Chamorro stone monoliths found nowhere else in the world other than the Marianas. The festival will also include the 3rd Annual 5K Pika Fun Run on the morning of Feb. 14.
Free camping will be available at Jones Beach and Taga Beach, ( with toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers), as well as a 10 minute walk away at nearby Tachogna Beach (with barbecue pits, outdoor showers, and toilets).
Hotel accommodations on Tinian include: Bay View Hotel, Flametree Villa, Fleming Hotel, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Lucky Homes Hotel, Marpo Valley Inn, Tinian Ocean View, Tinian Diamond Hotel and Casino, Tinian Diamond Suites, and Tinian Western Lodge Hotel.
“Once again, we are inviting local companies to increase their exposure and support in Tinian as a sponsor of the festival,” said MVA Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas. “We’re working closely with Tinian Field Operations Supervisor Vida Borja and the Tinian team on all the plans for another great Pika Fest next month, and we encourage everyone to join the fun!”
Sponsorship packages are:
Exclusive Pika Sponsor – $5,000
- Premier, industry‑exclusive package with name recognition in all advertising and MVA social media, exclusive booth, logo on main stage backdrop, up to six banners/flags, and a representative judge for any competition.
Platinum Pika Sponsor – $3,500
- Name recognition in all advertising and MVA social media, one on‑site banner, event recognition, and one representative judge.
Gold Pika Sponsor – $2,000
- Name recognition in all advertising and MVA social media, one banner, and event recognition.
Silver Pika Sponsor – $1,000 and below
- Name recognition in all advertising and during the event.
For more information, contact Tinian Field Operations Supervisor Vida Borja at [email protected] or 1.670.433.9365, MVA Community Projects Coordinator Sherman Santos at [email protected], or the Tinian Mayor’s Office at 1.670.433.1802
Individuals are invited to follow Marianas Visitors Authority on Instagram at @marianas.visitors.authority or on Facebook at @marianasvisitorsauthority for upcoming festival announcements.
FILE - Visitors sample the entries in the Estafao (spicy beef stew) Cooking Contest in 2024 at Tinian Hot Pepper Festival in The Marianas. The 22nd Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival will be held on Feb. 13-14, 2026.
The Marianas is an archipelago of 14 islands - including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota - in the Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3–4-hour flight from major Asian gateway cities. From Korea Republic, Jeju Air and T’Way provide direct flights to Saipan from Seoul-Incheon. United Airlines flies three times a week from Tokyo-Narita, Japan, and daily from Guam4. Hong Kong Airlines flies twice weekly from Hong Kong, China. Interisland travel between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is provided by Star Marianas Air and Micronesian Air Connection Services. For more information on The Marianas. visit www.mymarianas.com, Facebook/VisitTheMarianas, or Instagram @themarianas.