Belize is known for many things, not the least of which is having the longest holiday season in the Western Hemisphere.
OK, it’s not official or anything, but we challenge anyone to refute this claim.
Consider – this party loving nation starts to kick off the end-of-year- festivities early in September when the entire country begins preparing for St George’s Caye Day on September 10. Commemorating the Battle of St George’s Caye when Belize’s early settlers engaged and defeated much larger Spanish invasion force, it marks the emergence of Belize’s national identity and leads up to Belize Independence Day on the 21st of September.
If you haven’t experienced Belize Independence Day, put it on your bucket list right now – this is a party not to be missed. Independence, which Belize achieved in 1981, is still fresh in everyone’s minds and it’s celebrated with all the exuberance a young nation deserves.
The date also marks the beginning of The Lodge at Chaa Creek, and a month-long birthday party everyone looks forward to.
Then it’s on to Pan American Day on the 14th of October this year, Halloween on October 31, Thanksgiving Day on the 28th of November, Garifuna Settlement Day on the 19th of November, and so on to Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s.
While Thanksgiving and Halloween are not official national bank holidays, they’re still widely celebrated in Belize, with Chaa Creek throwing a month long all-inclusive Thanksgiving vacation package that’s an epicurean delight.
You’ll hear more from us about Garifuna Settlement Day, and rest assured it’s another distinctly Belizean holiday not to be missed, with drumming, dancing, feasting and a cultural exposition of Belize’s vibrant Garifuna population with the entire country celebrating the arrival of the people also known as the Garinagu on Belize’s shores.
By the end of November everyone is limbered up and ready for the non-stop partying leading up to Christmas on the 25th, Boxing Day on the 26th and through to New Years.
Whew!
If it wasn’t so exhilarating it would be exhausting. But Belizeans love a good party and have perfected celebrating down to a fine art. From September onwards the air is filled with music, the aroma of barbeques, laughter and singing. Which is why those in the know begin planning their Belize Holiday vacations now. With so much to see and do it’s a veritable smorgasbord of delights, and with so many healthy activities on offer, you can party hearty secure in the knowledge that you’ll be burning all those calories off with canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, caving, snorkelling, hiking and, of course, dancing.
Don’t take our word for it – start planning now to come down and see why we’re confident in claiming that Belize hosts the longest running party in the Western Hemisphere.