Belize is a lively place with lots of fun events all year round. People in Belize love to dance, drink, and have a good time. They have some of the best parties in Central America. Belize is a mix of different cultures like the Maya, Mestizos, Creole, and Garifuna. They all have their special celebrations with delicious food, fun activities, and interesting history. If you’re planning a trip, it’s a great idea to visit during the Belize’s festivals and events. Here’s a list of the top Belize’s festivals and events. 

Cashew Festival

Cashew Fest is held in Crooked Tree village just 35 miles north of Belize City. It is celebrated in the May month. It’s a good reason to spend a day or two in this beautiful national park. The festival is celebrated in a village.

Crooked Tree is adorned with cashew trees. This festival pays homage to their fruits and nuts in delectable forms like jelly, wine, cake, candy, and ice cream. The celebration also features the rich tapestry of local Kriol culture with folk music, traditional dances, and handmade crafts.

What makes this experience truly exceptional is its picturesque setting amidst a labyrinth of lagoons. Come with an appetite and a sweet tooth, as the cashew-based sweets and jams are nothing short of phenomenal. This hidden gem offers the perfect blend of delicious cuisine and off-the-beaten-path exploration.

Lobster Fest

Belize Lobster Fest is a big, exciting event where people celebrate and eat lots of lobster. It is celebrated in four different places: San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Belize City. While San Pedro is fun, the real highlight is Caye Caulker, with better prices, affordable boat rides, and a “Miss Lobsterfest” pageant. Placencia, known for its beautiful beaches, also joins the lobster party in a big way. The fun begins in June, right when the lobster season starts. You can enjoy live music, watch beauty pageants, and most importantly, savor delicious lobster dishes. You can even join a tug-of-war game and dance with the friendly locals on the beautiful Belize beaches.

Imagine the most amazing ways to eat lobster, and you’ll find them all at Belize Lobster Fest. It’s a chance to indulge in this tasty sea creature from June 14-19. Coastal communities like Placencia, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker all come together for a fun day at the beach, filled with lobster, drinks, and good times.

Wherever you go for Lobster Fest, you can expect live music, happy locals, and fantastic prices on all kinds of lobster dishes, like grilled lobster, lobster thermidor, kebabs, ceviche, and chowder. You won’t need to visit a Red Lobster for a while because Belize Lobster Fest has you covered.

Garifuna Settlement Day

Every November 19th, in towns like Punta Gorda in southern Belize, there’s a special celebration called Garifuna Settlement Day. It’s all about remembering the arrival of the Garifuna people on the southern coast in 1832. They are a unique Caribbean ethnic group, and this event is a great way to experience the rich diversity of Belize.

The Garifuna people had to leave their island because they rebelled against the British. They eventually settled in Belize. To honor this, there’s a fascinating re-enactment of their arrival in canoes. you can enjoy traditional Garifuna foods like 

This day is a big deal in Belize. It’s a public holiday, and everyone joins in, celebrating with their versions of Garifuna dishes like “hudut” (a fish coconut stew) and cassava bread &

 “Sere” and “Boil Up.” The Sere is a tasty soup made with coconut milk, plantains, fresh fish, and a dash of Caribbean spices. 

But the heart of the party is in the south, where the Garifuna people call home. In places like Stann Creek, Toledo, and Belize City, there are colorful parades.

The Garifuna people also perform their lively drumming music, which will keep you dancing until you can’t dance anymore. The celebrations are warm and welcoming, making Garifuna Settlement Day a must if you love connecting with different cultures.

Costa Maya Festival in Belize

The Costa Maya Festival in Belize is a grand celebration held on the beautiful Ambergris Caye every August. It’s the biggest gathering of Mayan people in Belize, and not just Mayans from Belize; folks from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica all come together to join in the fun. They perform traditional ceremonies, dance, sing, and, of course, savor delicious food.

This event used to be called the Sea and Air Festival when it started in 1991 in San Pedro. But over time, it transformed into a multicultural festival, featuring a lineup of countries, including Belize, of course. The festivities start on the first Thursday of August with the selection of Miss Costa Maya, chosen from pageant queens representing each country. Friday is the grand opening with official ceremonies and speeches from dignitaries and officials.  Saturday is called “Noche Internacional,” usually the biggest night, featuring regional Latino music and dance groups. Sunday is the closing day with live music, comedians, and cultural performances.

For those not so interested in the festival, there are lobster cookouts, beach volleyball, rides, football, a fair, and nightclub parties. San Pedro’s Costa Maya Festival is an exciting time to meet locals and celebrate like a true Belizean, leaving you with a weekend full of fun and vibrant memories.

Chocolate Festival 

The Toledo Chocolate Festival in Belize is a big celebration of cacao and the history of one of the Western Hemisphere’s beloved exports. People from the southern district and businesses that make chocolate-related products come to display their innovations. Cacao, the key ingredient in chocolate, has been grown in Belize for ages, with Punta Gorda in the Toledo District being the center of cacao farming.

Every year, during a weekend in late May on Commonwealth Day, the town and its surroundings celebrate everything related to chocolate. At the festival, you won’t just find chocolate bars and candies; Belizeans get really creative. They use cacao in skincare, and make wines, drinks, and all sorts of things! It’s not just a food festival; it’s also a cultural one. Different ethnic groups from the South showcase their heritage and how chocolate is a part of their lives.

It’s fascinating to see how something as simple as chocolate can be turned into so many amazing products. And for Belizeans, especially those in the south, cacao holds a special place in their hearts.

Mango Festival

In Hopkins, Belize, there’s an exciting event called the Mangofest that takes place every June. This small fishing village, known for its Garifuna culture, is proud of the 20+ varieties of mangoes that grow there. Mangoes are a favorite summer treat for Belizeans, and as summer arrives, so does mango season. The exact start of mango season isn’t fixed, but it usually coincides with the beginning of summer. Belizeans, regardless of their age, look forward to mango season as much as they do to the summertime and the beautiful islands.

 During the festival, the town comes alive with visitors who come to enjoy live music, games, raffles, auctions, and dishes flavored with mango. You can cool off with a delicious mango smoothie, savor some mango-infused chicken, and then burn off your meal by dancing or sunbathing on the beach.

Throwing big parties to celebrate things they love might be in the nature of Caribbean people, or perhaps it’s just a universal human trait. Belize’s festivals and events are a fantastic time to attend. While photos may not capture the full essence of the experience, it’s a good idea to have a camera with you to capture the sights, tastes, and memories that your mind will treasure.

Independence Day Celebration

Belize’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 21. It is a vibrant and joyful occasion that offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture. September is an excellent time to explore Belize, with the summer tourists having departed, resulting in lower travel costs. The festivities, however, commence approximately two weeks in advance, allowing you to engage with the local population and gain insights into their way of life.

The celebration begins with the Battle of the Caye Day on September 10, a prelude to the main event. During this time, Belizeans of all ages dress in their traditional attire, while patriotic melodies fill the airwaves. Town squares become gathering spots, where families often take to the streets to dance and share picnic lunches. This festive atmosphere provides both tourists and locals with a taste of Belizean life and cuisine.

Live music is a hallmark of the celebrations, serving as a unifying force that showcases the nation’s cultural heritage and deep love for the country. The heart of the celebrations lies in the parades that wind through communities and towns. These processions feature bands, marchers, floats, and people dressed in traditional attire, proudly displaying Belize’s national colors of red, white, and blue.

One of the most anticipated events is the Expo Belize MarketPlace, drawing around 15,000 attendees each year. Belize’s festivals and events combine music, dance, shopping, and an array of delectable traditional foods.

International Costa Maya Festival in Belize

The Costa Maya International Festival is held annually in San Pedro, Belize. It has become one of the country’s most significant cultural events. This three-day celebration takes place in August. It features live music, cultural performances, traditional and fusion cuisine, games, and the prestigious Miss Costa Maya International pageant. 

The festivities commence with the selection and coronation of Miss Costa Maya International, where contestants vie for the coveted title. Following the crowning, festival officials and foreign diplomats formally inaugurated the event.

The weekend is filled with activities such as seafood cookouts, amusement rides, football tournaments, parades, and international musical performances. A highlight is the “Noche International,” featuring top Latino bands. The festival traditionally concludes with cultural showcases, live music, entertainment, and dances representing the participating countries.

Conclusion

Belize’s festivals and events provide a rich tapestry of culture, cuisine, and community. From lobster festivals to the spirited Garifuna Settlement Day and Independence Day parades, each event tells a unique story. Whether you love food, music, or history, these year-round celebrations make Belize an unforgettable destination. Plan your trip around Belize’s festivals and events to truly experience the heart and soul of this Central American gem.