Carnival and Festivals in Belize in 2026

Belize and its different cultural influences is known as the most festive Central American country. All over the year, many festivals, events and carnivals are organized to celebrate its cultural diversity. Here are some of the major festivals that you cannot miss during your trip to Belize.

Belize City streets are filled with colors and energy for this special event. Created after the slavery period of the country; today it has converted itself as a real Belizean culture symbol. Street shows, live music, typical gastronomy pace the day: a full moment of joy and traditions. This carnival is part of a two-week long festivities before Independence day.

February 16-17, 2026 – The crown jewel of Belize’s festival calendar returns with two days of explosive color, music, and cultural celebration. Belize Carnival 2026 is scheduled for February 16th and 17th, marking a shift from the previous September timing to align with the broader Caribbean carnival season.

The Carnival Experience

Belize Carnival transforms the streets of Belize City into a vibrant stage where centuries of cultural fusion come alive. Originally a European affair, carnival was transformed by enslaved Africans who infused it with their cultural spices, vibrant dances, soul-stirring songs, and the indomitable spirit of Africa. For Belize, this celebration represents the country’s unique cultural potpourri, blending influences from all its major ethnic groups.

The festival begins months before the actual parade days. Communities come together in “mass camps,” where costumes are handcrafted, and dance routines are perfected. These camps aren’t just about building floats but forging friendships and deepening connections to cultural heritage.

What to Expect at Belize Carnival 2026

Music and Dance: The streets pulse with soca, punta, and other Caribbean rhythms. Imagine the air, thick with the beats of Soca and Punta, as dancers in feathered costumes move like waves on the sea. Traditional Garifuna drumming mixes with modern Caribbean sounds, creating Belize’s distinctive carnival soundtrack.

Costumes and Parades: Elaborate feathered costumes, handcrafted masks, and colorful floats fill the parade route. The craftsmanship reflects months of preparation by local mas bands and individual participants.

Cultural Fusion: Unlike other Caribbean carnivals, Belize Carnival uniquely incorporates Maya and Mestizo elements alongside African-Caribbean traditions, creating something distinctly Belizean.

Community Participation: Both locals and visitors can join mas bands, purchase costumes, and participate directly in the parade rather than just observing.

Carnival Schedule and Events

Pre-Carnival Events (February 2026):

• Miss Carnival Junior and Senior Pageant
• Mas band launches and costume reveals
• Community workshops and dance practice sessions
• Traditional music competitions

Main Carnival Days:

• February 16: J’ouvert morning celebration, street parties, preliminary parades
• February 17: Grand Carnival Parade, major band presentations, evening festivities

Post-Carnival: Many celebrations continue into the following week with smaller community events and cleanup festivities.

Other Major Belize Festivals in 2026

February 2026

Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival

The typical city of Placencia organizes each year their Arts Festival in the narrowest street in the world. The 1-kilometer long street fills during two days with all types of arts: music, paint, woodcarving, etc. Every creative person is welcome to this sharing-knowledge event. Artists from all over the country meet in Placencia and enjoy the mix of arts. It is the perfect moment to discover the Garifuna music, or the Belizean chocolate making process.

https://www.placencia.com/events/placencia-sidewalk-art-festival/

March 2026

Maya Day – March 2026

Organized by the Tumlul K’in Center of Learning in Blue Creek Village, Maya Day is a festival that allows its participants to embrace the strong Mayan culture, the oldest population of the country, which now only represents 10% of the overall Belizean population. The southern part of Toledo is one of biggest Mayan descendent population regions of the country, where you can find the archaeological sites of Nim Li Punit, Lubaantún and Uxbenká.

Among the traditions carried during Maya Day, there is the Deer dance, representing the pre-colonized period between Spanish conquest. Dancers wear masks representing two Europeans and many hunted animals.

During the day, you will find games, tortillas confection workshops, marimba concerts, religious ceremonies: a reel experience between joy and tradition.

May 2026

Belize Chocolate Festival – May 16-18, 2026 Taking place in Toledo District, this festival honors the sacred relationship between Maya culture and cacao. Activities include chocolate-making workshops, traditional cacao ceremonies, cooking contests, and sales of locally produced chocolate products. The region’s Maya communities showcase traditional preparation methods passed down through generations.

September 21st – Independence Day

Belize only has been independent for 45 years, which is celebrated every September 21st. In 1981, Belize became independent of the United Kingdom and officially became a unitary constitutional monarchy. However, they are still part of the Commonwealth and King Charles III is their ruler.

Every September 21st, Belizean people celebrate on the streets wearing their national colors – red, white and blue. They organize parades, live concerts, activities for children and adults. Being during the low season of tourism, you will be able to enjoy even more this typical festival of Belize.

Country with an astonishing ecological commitment, Belize organizes each year different events to highlight its biodiversity. One of its main focuses is tropical birds, as the country hosts more than 600 different species. In October, join the Belize Birding Festival, organized in Belize City. Many national conservation actors are present to host some conferences and panel discussions about the bird protection in Belize.

https://belizebirdingfestival.com/

Belize International Film Festival

Since 2003, the Belize International Film Festival has taken place in Belize City to highlight Central America and Caribbeans productions. During this 4-day festival, it is more than 50 participants and 7 prizes are awarded: best feature narrative; best feature documentary; best short narrative; best short documentary; best student film; most notable Belizean film; best music video.

Garifuna settlement day

This national holiday was created in 1941 by Thomas Vincent Ramos, a Human Right activist. This bank holiday celebrates the arrival of Garifuna people in Belize, after being deported from the Grenadines archipelago by the British. The main festivities happen in Dangriga, where there are parades, concerts, traditional dances, etc.