Belize — Events
Fiesta de Carnaval
February 13, 2012 - February 16, 2012
A joyful riot of color, the Fiesta de Carnaval is a massive event in San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye. It’s a mess of flying paint and flour, so this is one time to embrace getting absolutely covered in color and take it on the chin.
Easter Week
April 1, 2012 - April 7, 2012
The whole of Belize seems to shut down for Easter Week, so book your hotels and stock up on supplies in advance. While this is generally a time for religion and family, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic also occurs: a huge bike ride from Belize City to San Ignacio and back again. Benque Viejo del Carmen has a re-enactment of the Passion of the Christ.
Belize Lobster Festivals
May 31, 2012 - July 30, 2012
Lobster season in Belize occurs in June and July. To celebrate, a series of lobster festivals occur along the coast, with lobster served in all ways possible and accompanied by music, dancing and drinking.
Benque Viejo del Carmen Fiesta
June 30, 2012 - July 30, 2012
One of the few Spanish-Latin vibe festivals in the country, this is held annually in a town on the border of Belize and Guatemala. Expect a proper carnival and street parties.
Deer Dance Festival
July 31, 2012 - August 30, 2012
An alternative one: the Deer Dance Festival takes place each August, in the old Mayan village of San Antonio. Festivities include a dance re-enactment of a deer hunt with the chase and capture of the beast, and just to add some weirdness, a competition to scale a greasy pole.
International Costa Maya Festival
July 31, 2012 - August 30, 2012
Belize’s biggest event of the year, the Costa Maya Festival is a week of dancing and music and the beauty pageant for Miss Costa Maya, with participants from nearby countries. Located in San Pedro, it has been going on for 20 years.
St George’s Caye Day
September 9, 2012
In 1798, an invading force from Mexico tried to claim Belize for Spain. The local residents, assisted by black slaves, fought them off in a battle that lasted seven days, and the British retained their rule of the country. Now, the final day of the battle is celebrated with streets parties and a re-enactment of the battle at the site.
Belize Independence Day
September 20, 2012
Belize largely avoided the Spanish invasion, submitting instead to British rule, and has only been an entirely independent country since 21 September 1981. Independence is celebrated annually with parades and parties, especially in the bigger towns.
Halloween
October 31, 2012
While most of Central America celebrates the Latin-based Day of the Dead or All Souls Day, Belize follows the North American Halloween tradition with ostentatious costumes, trick-or-treating and extreme partying. Placencia in particular is great for this; being small means the action takes place in one spot, and the whole town gets involved.
Garifuna Settlement Day
November 19, 2012
The Garifuna culture is in large part what makes Belize distinct from its neighbors. The Garifunas, descendants of local Caribbean islanders and Africans who had escaped from slavery, settled in Belize from the early 1800s, bringing with them their music, dance and culture. Celebrations occur mostly in the heavy Garifuna areas.
