Belizean Carnivals (September; dates vary) serve to strengthen social ties while remembering what Baymen and later political heroes fought for centuries ago. Expect nonstop dancing, vibrant colors, and an abundant supply of beer!
Coastline communities like Placencia, Hopkins, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker hold annual Lobsterfest celebrations to acknowledge the arrival of lobster fishing season. These festive community parties have evolved into one of Belize’s premier events.
Belize Carnival
The Belize Carnival is an extraordinary spectacle of music, fashion, and dance that unites African traditions with Mayan culture. Held every September and culminating on Belize Independence Day, this massive annual event draws people from around the globe with street parades, stunning costumes, and pulse-pounding Caribbean music performances attracting over one hundred thousand attendees each year.
The Official Carnival Parade in Belize City is an engaging procession that showcases talented performers in eye-catching costumes. As a highlight of this annual event, this parade draws crowds of people from across Belize City. Finally, it culminates with a fireworks display.
J’ouvert Morning is an early pre-carnival street party held before dawn and features large groups of individuals dressed in paint, mud, or chocolate dancing to calypso and soca music – similar to Trinidad’s J’ouvert and Tobago Carnivals.
One of the most engaging events at Belize Carnival is the King and Queen competition, featuring local entertainers competing to become King or Queen of this event. The competition boasts high standards with very fierce competition for these titles; winners receive cash prizes or other forms of reward as a prize for their efforts.
Other highlights of the festival include a wine and chocolate evening, featuring an array of wines and chocolate-based cocktails; as well as a cooking and craft fair with traditional Belizean cuisine and games such as watermelon eating, greasy pole, lime and spoon, and three-legged race.
This festival also hosts workshops and presentations designed to introduce visitors to Belizean culture, with topics including traditional medicine, herbal remedies, and children’s cooking lessons. Furthermore, BETEX serves as a trade show where Belize tourism suppliers meet international travel agents.
Attractions at this festival include a kite contest, cycle race, harbor regatta, and horse races. Furthermore, this festival is widely known for its arts and crafts segment featuring basketry, paintings, clay sculptures, and seashells from participants.
Lobster Fest
Belize, an idyllic tropical country off of Central America’s coastline, boasts mesmerizing blue waters and sun-kissed sands that offer more than the standard beach experience. However, from July 4th-15th Belize plays host to an extraordinary culinary festival called Lobster Fest: 10 days dedicated to all things lobster! From food and beverages served at Lobster Fest events to live entertainment performances and culinary competitions; Belize provides more than its share of joyous celebrations of lobster in this high-spirited festival that spans 10 days!
The annual Belize Lobster Festival marks the official launch of lobster season and is celebrated across the country with festive activities, particularly in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia. Festivities include parades, parties, and other fun-filled events that honor this delectable crustacean while honoring Belizean culture and the seafood industry as a whole.
If you’re traveling to Belize during Lobsterfest, make sure your accommodations provide both comfort and accessibility to all events. La Perla del Caribe offers luxurious rooms and concierge services, including helping organize activities like visits to the Great Blue Hole or finding restaurants perfect for Lobsterfest adventures.
At Lobster Fest, restaurants provide tempting lobster specials that are hard to resist – everything from grilled lobster kebabs, ceviche and chowder to beach parties featuring an abundance of lobster-themed food and beverages!
Experience Lobster Fest in Belize by booking one of the hotels, resorts or condos participating in its celebration. La Perla del Caribe is an ideal option – situated right in San Pedro with walking distance of all the action and offering an onsite concierge for assistance planning an itinerary that makes the most out of Lobster Fest Belize.
Chocolate Festival
Since 2007, cacao farmers have organized the Chocolate Festival each May in Belize. It showcases and honors Belizean chocolate while simultaneously honoring its culture of production. Visitors will experience an arts-and-crafts street fair featuring local arts & handicrafts, games & activities for children; sample delicious Belizean dishes featuring chocolate; plus compete for the grand prize in a musical competition! On the final day of this festive celebration, there will also be a musical competition.
No matter your skill or curiosity level, the Chocolate Festival offers the ideal venue for exploring this timeless food. In addition to tastings and workshops, this event provides opportunities to meet cacao farmers who produce it as well as take tours of nearby cacao farms that feature Mayan methods of cultivating this delicious treat.
If you plan to attend the Chocolate Festival, it is wise to book accommodations well in advance. Punta Gorda becomes extremely crowded during this festival season; therefore it would be wise to book luxury beachfront resorts like Laru Beya and Jaguar Creek from Belizean Dreams for an optimal stay. Our resorts feature private beaches, luxurious spa treatments, pools and gourmet on-site restaurants as well as tours of Punta Gorda’s best sites such as Cayo District or Mayan archaeological ruins if needed.
As well as activities focused on chocolate at the Belize Chocolate Festival, there are also plenty of other fun things to see and do throughout this stunning country. On the first day, visitors can visit a street fair featuring local arts and crafts, music, and food stalls such as those selling tamales or ceviche; kids can have fun at one of the puppets and face painting booths while adults can relax with refreshing beverages from any of the beer stands available.
The Lobster Festival in Belize is another exciting cultural celebration held between June and July, which provides visitors with a great way to sample local cuisine. You’ll find delectable lobster dishes available throughout the country!
Hockey Tournaments
San Pedro Buccaneers of Belize hosted their inaugural Caribbean Coconut Cup Tournament this past weekend at Angel Nuez Auditorium and were met with enthusiastic participation by two visiting teams, making for an impressive display of sportsmanship.
San Pedro Buccaneers are an all-volunteer organization and this tournament marked their inaugural effort at hosting such an event. Thanks to local businesses that donated prizes and food such as Lily’s Treasure Chest Restaurant, Wayo’s Beach Bar, Caye Casa Boutique Hotel Paco Tiki Bar Estel Dine by the Sea Island Dream Tours among many others for making this tournament possible.
Attracting over 400 spectators, it was an outstanding success with everyone having an enjoyable day. The San Pedro Buccaneers were proud to host Withrow Park Hockey Club Tropical Knights from Toronto, Canada as well as New Horizons School from Belize City, Belize for this event and are extremely grateful for all of the hospitality shown by both individuals and businesses in Belize City – they hope this annual tradition grows year on year!
The two teams played four matches against each other; the Buccaneers won one match but lost three others due to jet-lag; however, this did not explain their defeat against a Knights team that had participated in various International Tournaments over the last 12 months while their opponents consisted of both local Belizeans and expats living on Ambergris Caye Island.
Are You Traveling to Belize Soon and Enjoy Hockey? Don’t Miss the 2023 EuroHockey Championships Taking Place in Monchengladbach Germany. This exciting tournament gives men’s and women’s national teams a chance at Olympic qualification – don’t miss it by going to Windchief Bar in Hopkins to watch on the big screen!
