By Giulissa Hernandez September in Belize is less a month on the calendar and more one long celebration. The country excitedly gears up for Independence Day and streets come alive with music, parades, dancing, costumes and unmatched energy. There’s the historic Battle of St. George’s Caye Day and the colorful Carnival Road March. Then comes the messy, music-filled J’ouvert, the Fire Engine Parade and high-energy marathons. In Belize, there’s no shortage of ways to join the festivities. Whether you’re visiting for the culture, the history or simply an excuse to celebrate alongside the locals, September is one of the liveliest times to experience Belize. We have compiled activities from the National Celebrations Calendar to see what is happening in each district on specific days. Here’s a chronological list of what to expect of Belize in September.
This year, Belize’s annual and rowdy carnival kicks off the celebrations from the first weekend in September. Starting from 4 a.m., the crowd gathers to kick off the celebrations with music and dancing filling the streets. The word j’ouvert comes from French, meaning “day-break,” signifying people celebrating at dawn. Then, at 2 p.m., the crowd gathers again for carnival.
Most people have heard of Caribbean countries celebrating with carnivals. In Barbados, Rihanna is a frequent participant and this year she once again joined with a beautiful costume. In Belize, the aim might not be tourism but that doesn’t make it less grandiose. This is a celebration Belizeans from all over the country travel to Belize City for all the rampant fun. If it’s your first time, let the soca music flow through you and you’ll soon realize why everyone joins year after year.
This one is held across all districts, with San Pedro also joining. In Orange Walk Town, Corozal Town, Belize City, Belmopan City, Dangriga Town, San Pedro Town, and Punta Gorda, all the fire engines have a parade down the main streets. It happens at 7 p.m. everywhere and is usually attended by families.
In Belize City, Santa Elena, and San Ignacio, a street parade takes place to celebrate Belize’s triumphant St. George’s Caye Day. The battle took place in 1798 when the Spanish attempted to overtake the Baymen and claim Belize as their colony. The week-long battle was won by the Baymen and now every year, we celebrate the triumph. Orange Walk Town celebrates differently. At 5 a.m. on the tenth, ambitious joggers line up at the Town Hall to start the 10K Running Marathon.
Typically, the party starts on the 20th. In front of Orange Walk’s farmer’s market, amusement-park-style rides and attractions are filled with children, teens, and adults as well. Most of the town gathers in this area and the surrounding Town Hall. At midnight, a half-hour firework show is put on display in Orange Walk Town, Belize City, Corozal Town, Belmopan City, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, San Pedro Town, Benque Viejo, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda. Then in the afternoon, the streets come alive with parades. The most popular happens to be in Orange Walk Town, with people and tourists from all over coming to watch the spectacle. However, if you find yourself in other districts, know that they each have their own citizen’s parade.
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