Belize Festivals & Major Events
The following is a selection of Belize's most colourful annual events. Specific dates seem to change from year to year; your best bet is to ask at your hotel or a local tour operator on arrival.
February
San Pedro Carnival: Groups compete in comparsas (special dances); night-time street parade.
International Billfish Tournament, Belize City: sponsored by the Belize Game Fish Association. Cash prizes,
March
Baron Bliss Day: Belize City harbour regatta, horse and cycle races and a kite-flying contest.
La Ruta Maya River Challenge: canoe race from Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio to Belcan Bridge in Belize City.
San José Succotz Fiesta: local fair in Cayo for the patron saint of the village.
April
Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic: international cycle race from Belize City to San Ignacio and back again.
May
Cashew Festival: Celebration in Crooked Tree, Belize District, of all things cashew, with music, dance, storytelling, handicrafts, food and drink.
Lobster Festivals: Caye Caulker and Placencia villages mark the start of the lobster season with music, dance and cuisine.
July
Benque Fiesta: celebration of the patron saint of Benque Viejo del Carmen with procession, special mass and fair.
August
La Costa Maya Festival: week-long event in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye with a beauty pageant and musical performances.
September
Battle of St George's Cay (Sept 10) Belize City: parade and street fair.
Carnival: Belize City - costumed bands, floats and dancers in a Latino-Caribbean style.
October
Pan-American Day: street fairs in Orange Walk, Corozal, beauty pageants in celebration of Mestizo culture.
November
Garifuna Settlement Day: Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Belize CityEarly morning canoe re-enactment of arrival of first Garifuna in 1832.