Belize Calendar of Events
No matter what time of the year you visit Belize, apart from the exciting places to go and things to see, you can also watch or participate in cultural events. Annual events include everything from festivals, cycling races, national and religious holidays and much more. You will experience a very diverse, rich and welcoming culture that will leave you with memories you will cherish forever.
FEBRUARY Valentine’s Day Cycling Classic Male, female, junior and master cyclists participate in races on the Western Highway between Benque Viejo deL Carmen and Belize City.
MARCH La Ruta Maya River Challenge Professional and amateur paddlers from across Belize and the world participate in this grueling four-day race that retraces the Maya trading route between San Ignacio and Belize City.National Heroes’ & Benefactors’ Day This national holiday is set aside to honor those men and women who have helped to build Belize. A traveling exhibition about Belizean heroes and benefactors tours the country throughout March.
APRIL Good Friday & Easter several municipalities organize reenactments during this Christian holiday, depicting Christ’s suffering with large wooden crosses and crowns of thorns. Religious activities also include prayers, fasting and processions.
Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic The biggest cycling event of the year features local and international riders racing from Belize City to San Ignacio and back.
San Pedro Lagoon-Reef Eco-Challenge Kayakers participate in this annual race to promote awareness, protection, and conservation of mangroves, lagoons, reefs as well as the diverse species found in these natural habitats.
MAY Chocolate Festival of Belize This three day event features food, exhibits, culture and information about the various ways the Maya utilized the Cacao bean. Festive entertainment is complimented by samples of locally made chocolate.
Cashew Festival Crooked Tree village hosts this annual event to highlight the varied uses of the cashew in food and beverages. Visitors can also enjoy freshly caught tilapia from the lagoon.Mother’s Day Cycling Classic Female cyclists take centre stage in this race from San Ignacio to Belize City.National Agricultural & Trade Show Thousands of people gather in Belmopan for this three day event which showcases the significant contribution of agriculture to the Belizean economy and highlights local businesses. Entertainment, games’ and cultural displays round out the fun.
JUNE The Lamanai Challenge This triathlon has participants running from La Milpa to Chan Chich, cycling from Chan Chic to Gallon Jug and then canoeing from Gallon Jug to the finish line at the Lamanai archaeological site on the shores of the New River Lagoon.
*Lobsterfest At the start of the Lobster season in June, the coastal communities of San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia celebrate the first catch with festive activities, and cook the lobster in every way imaginable.
JULY Hopkins Mango Festival Villagers set up stalls on the beach where visitors can enjoy mangoes as the main ingredient in appetizers, entrees and desserts.
Archaeology Symposium Organized by the Institute of Archaeology, this forum gives professional archaeological researchers working in Belize the opportunity to share archaeological findings. Attendance to lectures, displays and presentations are open to the public.
Belize International Film Festival International film producers and directors join local counterparts to share their work and explore partnership possibilities. Attendance to the films is open to the public.
AUGUST International Costa Maya Festival This week long festival is held in San Pedro and features cultural nights headlined by local and regional performers as well as an international beauty pageant.
Deer Dance Festival This traditional Maya cultural event features costumed players as a jaguar, a hunter, and, of course, deer. The dance continues today as part of cultural preservation efforts.
SEPTEMBER National September Celebrations Patriotic pride is high during this month. September 10th is celebrated as a National Day while the 21st is Independence Day. Activities during this festive month include carnival marches through principal streets of major municipalities. All events are accompanied by music, concerts, cultural activities and food.
Barry Bowen’s Belikin Bash During this week-long event in Belize City includes nightly entertainment, food, and of course, plenty of ice-cold Belikin beers.OCTOBER Sugar City Rum Festival This annual festival in Orange Walk celebrates the local rum industry by bringing together the distilleries for a fun-filled family event featuring games, cultural presentations, musical performances, competitions and lots of food.
TIDE Fish Fest: Toledo This event raises awareness of environmental issues and includes a Seafood Gala, a Youth Conservation Competition and a Fish Festival.NOVEMBER Garifuna Settlement Day (National Holiday) This public and bank holiday commemorates the 1832 arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize. National activities include re-enactments of the arrival, prayer, cultural dances and food.
Battle of the Drums: Toledo This competition allows groups to compete and display their musical artistry in playing five different categories of Garifuna drumming. The event normally precedes Garifuna Settlement Day.DECEMBER Christmas and Boxing Day Christmas in Belize is a truly multicultural celebration. With so many ethnic groups, traditions are varied, and spirits are high. Traditional Boxing Day horse races take place in Burrel Boom Village. The horses run in classes, resting for an hour then they race again.