Five Events in Belize To Check Out in 2026

Planning a trip this year? This guide highlights key events in Belize in 2026, from cultural celebrations to food and music festivals.

It’s 2026 and a new year is upon us, along with possible travel plans to the tropics. And one of the most fun aspects of travel is timing your visit with something fun going on! Belize is fun year round, of course, but if you’re looking for something special to experience, it’s worth looking to see if any events time up well with your travel dates. So if you’re planning a visit to The Jewel this year, or if you’ve moved down and want some sort of idea of events to check out elsewhere in the country, here are some of our favorites:

1. La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge (March)

The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is one of Belize’s most demanding and well-known sporting events, drawing teams from across the country to compete in a multi-day canoe race down the Belize Old River. The race begins in San Ignacio and finishes in Belize City, following a long inland-to-coast route that highlights the importance of the river system to Belize’s history and communities.

For visitors, this event draws attention to inland Belize at a time of year when travel is often focused on the coast. River towns and western districts tend to feel livelier than usual, while Belize City becomes a focal point when the race finishes.

2. Mango Festival (June)

The Hopkins Mango Festival is held in June in the southern Belize beach community of Hopkins Village. The event celebrates mango season with a strong focus on food, featuring mango-based dishes, drinks, and desserts alongside local vendors, music, and community activities.

The festival has a relaxed, village-centered feel and reflects everyday life in Hopkins, where seasonal produce plays an important role in local cuisine and culture. For visitors in Belize in June, Mango Fest offers a low-key but memorable way to experience a community-driven event that feels local first, with the village taking on a noticeably livelier atmosphere during the celebration.

3. Lobster Festivals (June–July)

Belize’s lobster festivals celebrate the start of lobster season with food, music, and coastal community energy. In San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, festivities often begin with a week-long “Lobster Crawl,” where restaurants and bars serve creative lobster dishes and culminate in a lively block party with live music and dancing. The Placencia Lobsterfest s a more traditional beachside celebration with fresh lobster prepared in a range of ways, vendors, and family-friendly entertainment on the peninsula. On Caye Caulker, Lobsterfest features beach parties, DJs, pageants, seafood stalls, and local music, making it a distinct island experience for visitors and residents alike.

4. September Celebrations (September)

September is the most important period in Belize’s event calendar. Known collectively as the September Celebrations, this month-long stretch includes a series of national observances tied to the Battle of St. George’s Caye and Belize’s independence. Rather than centering on a single day, celebrations unfold throughout the month and are observed nationwide.

Parades, street parties, concerts, cultural showcases, and public ceremonies take place across the country, with Belize City hosting some of the largest and most visible events. The tone during September is distinctly national, with a strong emphasis on history, identity, and public participation.

For visitors, September brings both energy and practical considerations. While the celebrations add atmosphere and activity, they can also affect traffic, business hours, and public services. Travelers in Belize during this time are likely to encounter events even if they are not actively seeking them out.

5. Garifuna Settlement Day (November)

Garifuna Settlement Day, observed in November, is one of Belize’s most culturally significant events. The day commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize and is recognized as a public holiday. Celebrations are most visible in the southern coastal towns of Dangriga and Hopkins, where Garifuna culture remains deeply rooted.

The event is marked by traditional drumming, dancing, music, food, and cultural reenactments that emphasize history and continuity. While celebrations are centered in specific communities, the day holds national importance and is widely recognized across the country.

Other Events Worth Knowing About

Baron Bliss Day (Belize City)

Observed in March, Baron Bliss Day commemorates one of Belize’s most unusual historical figures with a sailing regatta and public events centered around Belize City’s harbor.

Chocolate Festival (Toledo District)

Held around the third week of May in and around Punta Gorda, this festival celebrates Belize’s Maya cacao traditions through tastings, demonstrations, and cultural activities connected to southern Belize’s farming communities.

Costa Maya Festival (San Pedro)

Taking place in August, the Costa Maya Festival brings together performers from Belize and neighboring countries for several days of music, dance, and cultural presentations in San Pedro.

Wrapping Up

That wraps up our quick guide to what’s going on in Belize this year. Obviously, there’s a lot more happening than the events we mentioned, but we hope this gives you a quick taster. You’ll find tons of local things happening on the ground, too. So come down, have fun, and realize that there’s more to life in Belize than lazy beach days, snorkeling, and Mayan ruins!