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Your calendar of key events taking place in Belize throughout the year:
Suggest clients kick off the New Year with excitement at the Krem New Year’s Cycling Classic, where elite national and international cyclists race over 90 miles from Corozal to Belize City. Junior riders also participate, cycling from Orange Walk District to the capital. Visitors can join the crowds to cheer them on at the start and then head to Belize City to witness the thrilling finish. The atmosphere is electric for spectators.
In February, Ambergris Caye comes alive with El Carnaval de San Pedro; a celebration that brings streets to life with music, dance and colourful festivities. This annual event is a dazzling spectacle of costumes and parades, with revellers encouraged to join in spirited dance-offs and lively processions that showcase the island’s rich cultural heritage. El Carnaval de San Pedro is a must for those seeking vibrant Belizean energy.
March features the thrilling Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, an exciting multi-day canoe race that covers 170 miles along the scenic Belize River. This renowned event attracts international and local paddlers who navigate through lush jungle landscapes and picturesque villages, plus local cultural displays, music and community gatherings.
Recommend heading to Benque Viejo Del Carmen in the Cayo District for Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations leading up to Easter. The town honours Jesus Christ with prayers, processions and a moving re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Jesus. Streets adorned with colourful sawdust add to the solemnity and beauty of this event.
In May, the southern Toledo District offers a rich blend of jungle-clad Maya sites, traditional villages, the Maya Mountains and chocolate. The Chocolate Festival in Punta Gorda, Belize’s cacao-growing hub, celebrates the prized cacao bean with chocolate tastings, performances, and demonstrations from local farmers and chocolatiers.
In Hopkins Village, the Mango Street Fest highlights Belize’s passion for mangoes with a variety of mango-based treats, games and drumming. The Made in Belize Expo in Belmopan offers a dynamic experience featuring local artisans and small businesses, showcasing crafts, visual art, culinary creations and wearable art.
July in Belize is packed with pulsating celebrations. The Placencia, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro Lobster Festivals kick off lobster season with delectable dishes, lively music and beachside fun. The Belize International Music and Food Festival is also a highlight, featuring an eclectic mix of live music and delicious local cuisine, drawing crowds from near and far.
The new Eboe Town Festival held in Belize City commemorates Belize’s slavery and Emancipation history while showcasing the rich Kriol culture. The San Joaquin Festival in the Corozal District honours the village's patron saint, the Maya Deer Dance Festival in San Antonio Village showcases sacred Maya traditions and the annual Yellow Ginger Festival in Punta Gorda celebrates Belize’s East Indian heritage.
September is one of the liveliest months in Belize, as the country gears up for Independence Day. Celebrations start on the first day of the month and build up to 21 September, with community parades, carnivals, music, dancing, poetry recitals and fireworks creating an almost month-long celebration of national pride.
October kicks off with the Belize Birding Festival, where birdwatchers explore Belize’s rich avian diversity through guided tours and expert-led workshops. Tide Conservation Festival in Punta Gorda celebrates marine conservation with engaging workshops, local angler contests and family activities – all complemented by live music and seafood.
Garifuna Settlement Day on 19 November commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people in the early 1800s. Dangriga, Hopkins and Punta Gorda Town host dramatic re-enactments of the canoe landings, traditional drumming and Garifuna dishes like hudut (a coconut-based soup served with mashed plantains and fish). The lively Battle of the Drums Competition adds to the festivities.
The Boat Lighting Parade in early December offers a magical display as illuminated boats reflect off the dark waters of Ambergris Caye. Visitors can watch the festively decorated boats from beach bars along the route and then join the crowd in San Pedro to hear the winner announced. This annual tradition signals the start of the Christmas countdown.
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