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Year-Round Festivals and Events

BELIZE

Dancing to the rhythmic beats of Garifuna drums, savoring the aroma of freshly cooked fry jacks, and witnessing the vibrant colors of traditional Mayan garments swirling through the streets—welcome to Belize, a country where every month brings a new reason to celebrate! Belize hosts over 20 major festivals annually, each offering a unique glimpse into the nation’s diverse cultural tapestry. In this guide, we take you on a journey through the most exciting year-round festivals and events in Belize. Get ready to mark your calendar and dive into an unforgettable adventure!

Planning Your Festival Adventure

– Book accommodations and flights early for popular events, especially during high season (November to April).

– Learn a few basic phrases in Kriol, the local language, to enhance your experience.

– Respect local customs and dressxcodes, particularly during religious events.

– Bring cash, as some rural areas may have limited card acceptance.

– Don’t forget to pack insect repellent, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes for outdoor festivals.

January

Ringing in the New Year

Start your year off right with Belize’s vibrant New Year’s celebrations! While the entire country comes alive with parties and fireworks, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye takes it to another level with their New Year’s Eve Fireworks Extravaganza. For a truly Belizean experience, participate in the “Lucky Dip” tradition – locals open their homes to visitors, offering food, drinks, and warm hospitality.

Travel Tip: Book your accommodations in San Pedro well in advance, as it’s a popular destination for New Year’s Eve.

February

The San Pedro Lobster Festival

February brings the first of two annual Lobster Festivals to San Pedro. This gastronomic delight features culinary competitions, endless lobster tastings, and beachside entertainment. Local restaurants showcase their best lobster dishes, from grilled tails to lobster ceviche.

Travel Tip: Pair your lobster feast with local Belikin beer or a rum-based cocktail for the full experience.

March

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge

Adventure seekers won’t want to miss La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, a grueling four-day canoe race spanning 170 miles of the Belize River. The race starts in San Ignacio and ends in Belize City, with thousands of spectators cheering along the way.

Travel Tip: Follow the race by car, stopping at various points along the river. Don’t forget your sunscreen and bug spray!

things to do in san ignacio

April

Easter Celebrations: April’s Religious and Cultural Events

April brings Holy Week, a time of religious processions and unique traditions. In Benque Viejo del Carmen, witness the creation of intricate sawdust tapestries lining the streets. For a mix of spirituality and fun, head to Placencia for the Easter Regatta, featuring sailing races and beach parties.

Travel Tip: Book accommodations early, as Easter is a popular travel time for both locals and tourists.

May

Cashew Festival in Crooked Tree

Experience rural Belizean life at the Cashew Festival in Crooked Tree Village. This event celebrates the cashew harvest with food stalls offering cashew wine, jams, and various dishes. Enjoy cultural performances and try your hand at cashew-themed competitions.

Travel Tip: Take a guided tour of the cashew farms to learn about the cultivation process.

June

The San Pedro Lobster Festival

June marks the official opening of lobster season with another Lobster Festival in San Pedro. This larger event features a week of lobster-themed activities, including the famous “Lobster Crawl” – a tour of local restaurants offering special lobster dishes.

Travel Tip: Participate in the lobster-eating contest for a chance at local fame and prizes!

June

Sweet Tropical Delights: Hopkins Mango Fest

As spring transitions into summer, the coastal village of Hopkins comes alive with the vibrant Hopkins Mango Fest. This juicy celebration typically takes place in early June, coinciding with peak mango season. The festival is a testament to Belize’s agricultural bounty and the creativity of its people. Visitors can indulge in an astounding variety of mango-inspired delicacies – from traditional mango jams and chutneys to innovative mango cocktails and even mango-infused seafood dishes!

But the Hopkins Mango Fest isn’t just about satisfying your sweet tooth. It’s a full-fledged cultural extravaganza featuring local Garifuna drumming and dancing, arts and crafts exhibitions, and cooking competitions where local chefs showcase their mango mastery. The festival also includes educational components, with workshops on mango cultivation and preservation techniques.

Travel Tip: Come hungry and pace yourself! With so many mango treats to try, you’ll want to save room to sample a wide variety. Also, don’t miss the mango eating contest – it’s as entertaining to watch as it is to participate in!

July

San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival

Immerse yourself in Mayan and Central American culture at the Costa Maya Festival. This international event features a beauty pageant with contestants from Central America and Mexico, cultural performances, and a marketplace showcasing local artisans.

Travel Tip: Don’t miss the “Noche San Pedrana,” a night dedicated to local culture and traditions.

September

Belize Independence Day Celebrations

September is Belize’s most patriotic month, with celebrations for both St. George’s Caye Day (September 10th) and Independence Day (September 21st). Expect parades, street parties, and a carnival in Belize City that rivals any in the Caribbean.

Travel Tip: Join locals in wearing the national colors – red, white, and blue – during the festivities.

October

Harvest Celebrations: Pan American Fair in San Ignacio

Experience Belize’s agricultural heritage at the Pan American Fair in San Ignacio. This three-day event showcases livestock, produce, and traditional crafts. Enjoy cultural performances, sample regional cuisines, and browse local handicrafts.

Travel Tip: Try “caldo,” a traditional Mayan soup, at one of the food stalls.

things to do in san ignacio

November

Garifuna Glory: Garifuna Settlement Day

November 19th marks Garifuna Settlement Day, celebrating the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize. The highlight is the “Yurumein” – a reenactment of the Garifuna arrival by canoe. Expect drumming, dancing, and plenty of traditional food like hudut (fish stew with mashed plantains).

Travel Tip: Head to Dangriga or Hopkins for the most authentic celebrations.

more things to do in hopkins

Practical Travel Tips for Belize

English is the official language of Belize, which makes travel logistics easier for many visitors. But Belize is culturally much richer than that: you will hear Belizean Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, Maya languages and other local languages depending on where you are. That mix is one of the things that makes the country so interesting — Belize feels Caribbean, Central American and distinctly its own.

Belize uses the Belize dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted in many tourism areas. The exchange rate is commonly 2 Belize dollars to 1 US dollar, which makes prices easy to understand. I would still carry local cash, especially for buses, small restaurants, markets, tips, water taxis and local shops. Cards work in many hotels and tour offices, but not everywhere.

Belize is small, but travel still takes time. Water taxis connect Belize City with Caye Caulker and San Pedro, while shuttles, rental cars and public buses connect the mainland. For a first trip, I would use a mix of water taxis, shared shuttles and local transfers rather than trying to move too fast. Public buses are cheaper and more local, but slower; private shuttles are easier if you have luggage or limited time.

Belize can be traveled safely, but I would not move around carelessly. Current official advice asks travelers to exercise increased caution because of crime, with particular warnings for parts of Belize City, especially the Southside area. For most travelers, the key is practical awareness: use trusted transport, avoid walking alone late at night, keep valuables discreet, and ask locally before heading into unfamiliar areas. I would not let fear define the trip, but I would plan with care.

The easiest time to visit Belize is during the dry season, roughly December to May, when travel is generally simpler for islands, snorkeling, jungle lodges and inland adventures. The rainy season usually runs from June to November, but that does not mean travel is impossible — it can be greener, quieter and cheaper, though routes and activities may need more flexibility.

Hurricane season in Belize officially runs from June to November, with the highest risk usually from August to October.

That does not mean you should avoid Belize completely during those months, but you should travel with more flexibility: choose accommodation with clear cancellation policies, keep an eye on weather updates, and avoid planning very tight transfers between islands, coastal villages and international flights.

For Hopkins in particular, I would be most cautious during September and October, when storms and heavy rain can affect coastal travel, road conditions and boat trips.

I would not rely on tap water as a visitor unless your accommodation specifically says it is filtered and safe to drink. Many hotels and lodges offer refill stations or purified water, which is the best option. Bring a reusable bottle, or even a UV filter bottle if you are moving between islands, jungle lodges and smaller towns. When refills are not available, buy larger bottles rather than many small ones.

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