Events and Celebrations Calendar
January
New Year's Day: Celebrations, fireworks, and traditional food.
Horse Racing in Burrell Boom: Exciting horse races at Belize's largest racetrack at Burrell Boom.
February
San Pedro Carnival: The week before lent, a colorful celebrations, parades, music as well as flour fights!
Fiesta de Carnaval: Nationwide celebrations and dance competitions.
Valentine’s Day.
March
La Ruta Maya Canoe River Challenge: A grueling 4 day, 179 mile canoe race down the Makal and Belize River. Start in San Ignacio and ends in Belize City
Baron Bliss Day: A public holiday honoring Baron Bliss.
Agricultural Show & Trade show: Held in Belmopan, Orange Walk Town, and Chan Pine Ridge.
Good Friday: A religious holiday. Families travel to spend the weekend together for family and religious celebrations.
Holy Saturday: Cycling races, regattas, and fairs.
Easter Sunday: Family gatherings and celebrations. Most families spend the day together and not much raveling is done.
Easter Monday: Fairs and dances.
San Jose Succotz Festival: A local festival with music, games, and sports.
April
Easter Monday / Burrell Boom Cycle & Horse Races Easter Fair: Fairs and races.
Shrimp Season Ends: Catching and selling shrimp is illegal until August.
San Jose Succotz Fiesta: A local festival.
Treaty with Guatemala: Commemorates the signing of the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty.
May
Labour Day: Parades, rallies, and sports events.
Cashew Festival: A celebration of cashew fruit. The cashew nut alone is worthy of celebration, but did you know that the nut grows from a colorful fruit with a tart, mango-like taste? Visit Crooked Tree and taste what delicacies is made from cashews!
Mother’s Day: Celebrations and tributes to mothers.
Toledo Cacao Festival: A festival celebrating cacao. Chocolate bars, truffles, hot cocoa and even chocolate-infused beer are available for tasting, tour chocolate farms, and learn about everything chocolate!
Coconut Festival: A festival on Caye Caulker.
June
Whale Shark Watching: Opportunity to see whale sharks. From 3 days before the full moon to 3 days after the last quarter from March to June, whale sharks feed in the waters off southern Belize.
Hopkins Mango Fest: Street festival in Hopkins Main Street with food and fun for all. How many of the more than 2- varieties have you tried?
Officially Named Belize (June 1): Commemorates the change of name from British Honduras to Belize.
Mayan Equinox: Events at Caracol Mayan ruins to celebrate the beginning of spring.
Lobster Fest: A series of four events in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Belize City, celebrating the most prized item on many a seafood menu. Jun-July.
July
Caye Caulker Lobster Festival: A festival celebrating lobster.
August
International Costa Maya Festival: A regional festival with music, art, and beauty pageants.
San Joaquin Fiesta: A local festival.
September
St. George's Caye Day: A public holiday celebrating a historic battle of St George’s Caye where the Spanish was defeated.
Carnival King and Queen: The crowning of the King and Queen of Carnival..
Carnival Road March: A colorful parade.
Belize Independence Day: Ceremonies, parades, and celebrations.
October
Columbus Day/Pan American Day: Celebrations and events.
World Indigenous Music Festival: A music festival.
Halloween : Celebrations and parties.
November
Garifuna Settlement Day: A celebration of Garifuna culture.
Stann Creek Agricultural Fair (November): An agricultural fair.
San Pedro Township Celebration: A celebration of San Pedro becoming a town.
December
Holiday Boat Lighting Parade: A parade of decorated boats.
Mayan Solstice Festival and Deer Dance Festival: A festival celebrating the Mayan solstice. Deer Dance tells the story of the relationship between Maya people and the land, and is traditionally danced during the Christmas/winter solstice week.
Christmas Eve: Midnight mass and celebrations.
Christmas Day: Family gatherings and celebrations.
Boxing Day: Horse races, cycle races, and festivities.