It’s that time of the year when all Belizeans are ready to jump up and wave our flag with pride. We are eagerly counting down to the start of our September Celebrations 2024!
September is a month filled with holidays and celebrations in Belize. The festivities hold a deep historical significance, commemorating the Battle of St. George Caye on September 10th and the momentous Independence Day on September 21st. We celebrate carnival style with parades, vibrant costumes, dancing, music, and lively revelry, all in honor of our rich history.
In Belize, it is a tradition to start celebrations as early as the end of August, leading up to the first national holiday on St. George’s Caye Day and continuing into Independence Day. This year’s celebration theme is ‘A Nation Proud and Free: Belize@43’, marking our 43rd Anniversary of Independence, a significant milestone in our nation’s history.
The weekend before St. George’s Caye Day marks the official start of main celebratory events, featuring J’ouvert and the Carnival Road March scheduled for Saturday, September 7. As Carnival Day dawns, the streets of the old capital, Belize City, come alive with music, laughter, and the unity of locals gathering to celebrate. J’ouvert captures the spirit of Caribbean celebration with soca, calypso, reggae, and even punta rhythms. The Carnival Road March starts after noon and showcases vibrant costumes and lively music, highlighting months of work and dedication by talented Belizean artists and artisans.
On September 10th, we officially celebrate St. George’s Caye Day, which marks the heroic victory of British settlers, buccaneers, and enslaved people over the Spaniards who tried to occupy Belize. This day is celebrated as a public and bank holiday in Belize, with many activities planned across the country to commemorate this historical event, including sporting competitions, uniform parades, concerts, and food festivals.
On September 21, 1981, Belize became an independent nation, and each year, Belizeans gather throughout the country (and worldwide) to celebrate their independence, history, culture, people, and beautiful nation. The eve of Independence Day is marked by a 21-gun salute, midnight fireworks shows, and live concerts across the country, bringing families together for a vibrant celebration. On Independence Day, September 21, parades fill cities and towns with a colorful mosaic of people, lively floats, exquisitely costumed revelers, and pulsating music. It’s a time when everyone, from businesses to schools to law enforcement officers, joins the festivities with their colorful floats, uniting with the community in joyful celebration.
September is a great time to visit Belize and experience the vibrant local culture. Each municipality across the country hosts various events during the celebrations, and San Pedro Town is no exception.

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About the Author: Janelle Cowo

Janelle loves traveling and experiencing new cultures both within and across the border of Belize. She particularly enjoys history and is an avid Science Fiction, Fantasy and Romance reader. What she lacks in stature, Janelle has (and even surpasses) in spirit for adventure. She is willing to try pretty much anything, from daring jumps to new eats. She loves sharing her adventures with her daughter Inori, hoping to encourage her to lead an adventurous life and enjoy the beauty of the world around her. Janelle lives her life according to Mae West quote “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

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