Belize Public Holidays
Whether you are a local searching for a short break or an international traveler, Public Holiday Info Portal is here to help you start planning your vacation
A public holiday, national holiday or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year. This page contains public holidays sorted by years. Holiday dates may be change from time to time, so please check back regularly for updates. Scroll down to view the national holidays and short description of each holiday.- Belize or formerly British Honduras, is an independent country on the eastern coast of Central America
- Most of public holidays in Belize are traditional Commonwealth and Christian holidays, with some specific Belizian culture holiday such as Garifuna Settlement Day and Baron Bliss Day
- Laws of Belize Chapter 289 stated that holiday falls on a Sunday, the following working Monday is observed as bank and public holiday
– If the holiday falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, the preceding Monday is observed as the bank and public holiday. - If the holiday falls on a Sunday or a Friday, the following Monday is observed as the bank and public holiday
Date | Day | Holiday |
---|---|---|
1 Jan | Sun | New Year's Day - First day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar |
2 Jan | Mon | New Year's Day Holiday |
6 Mar | Mon | National Heroes and Benefactors Holiday - It is celebrated on the 9th of March each year, but it can be moved to the first Monday following the La Ruta Maya Canoe Race. This day had been dedicated solely to Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, he is very generous benefactor willed his entire fortune to the people of Belize |
14 Apr | Fri | Good Friday - Friday before Easter Sunday. Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary |
15 Apr | Sat | Holy Saturday - Commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb and the Harrowing of Hell. Sometimes referred to as Easter Saturday |
17 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday - Monday after Easter Sunday. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead |
1 May | Mon | Labour Day - Commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement |
22 May | Mon | Sovereign's Day Holiday - Also known as Commonwealth Day. Celebrates the organisation of 54 independent or sovereign states under the British monarchy. Belize call it “Queen’s Birthday |
10 Sept | Sun | Saint George's Caye Day - Celebrates on every September 10 for its victory over Spain in the sea battle of Saint George’s Caye. A national and historic event to recognize the efforts of the Baymen and slaves, as ancestors of Belize |
11 Sept | Mon | Saint George's Caye Holiday |
21 Sept | Thu | Independence Day - Independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 |
9 Oct | Mon | Day of the Americas / Colombus Day - Celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Also known as Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity |
19 Nov | Sun | Garifuna Settlement Day - Holiday was created by Belizean civil rights activist, Thomas Vincent Ramos, in 1941. Celebrates the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize after being exiled from the Grenadines by the British army |
20 Nov | Mon | Garifuna Settlement Holiday |
25 Dec | Mon | Christmas Day - Celebrate the birth of Christ |
26 Dec | Tue | Boxing Day - Boxing Day was the day for families to open Christmas gifts. |
Date | Day | Holiday |
---|---|---|
1 Jan | Mon | New Year's Day |
5 Mar | Mon | National Heroes and Benefactors Holiday |
30 Mar | Fri | Good Friday |
31 Mar | Sat | Holy Saturday |
2 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday |
1 May | Tue | Labour Day |
21 May | Mon | Sovereign's Day Holiday |
10 Sept | Mon | Saint George's Caye Day |
21 Sept | Fri | Independence Day |
8 Oct | Mon | Pan American Day / Colombus Day |
19 Nov | Mon | Garifuna Settlement Day |
25 Dec | Tue | Christmas Day |
26 Dec | Wed | Boxing Day |