Festivals and events

23-25 June Lobster Fest, Placencia.



Early to Mid July Benq ue Viejo Fiesta.



August International Costa Maya Festival (San Pedro, Ambergris Caye).



10 September St George's Caye Day.



21 September Belize Independence Day.



11 October Pan-American Day.



19 November Garífuna Settlement Day, festival normally over the weekend.



25 December Christmas Day.



26 December Boxing Day.



Most services throughout the country close down Good Friday to Easter Monday; banks close at 1300 on the Thursday, buses run limited services Holy Saturday to Easter Monday, though local flights and boats to the cayes are available. Christmas and Boxing Day are also limited in terms of services. Many shops will open for a few hours on holiday mornings, but still may have limited choices for food. Independence Celebrations begin on St George's Caye Day, 10 September, and there are events occurring daily through to Independence Day, 21 September. The 'September Celebrations', as they are locally called, often start two or three days in advance and require a lot of energy. The most colourful of Belizean festivals is Garífuna Settlement Day in November with celebrations concentrated around Dangriga, Seine Bight and Placencia. The tone of the festival varies greatly with a more public celebration of music and dance in Dangriga, with a more spiritual and quieter ambience in Seine Bight.