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From the kaleidoscope of colors that fills the City streets with rhythmic, high-energy Carnival, to the poignant and prideful tributes to Belizean Patriots, September in Belize overflows with civic pride and celebratory patriotic freedom. The radio stations play patriotic songs, and patriotic poems precede national events in every municipality—stirring an affectionate display of the proud history of Belize.
But is September a good month to visit Belize? How do Belizeans celebrate Belize Independence Day? What country does Belize celebrate independence from?
We’re answering all your questions with everything to know about the patriotic month of September and the Belize Independence Day Celebration for the only English-speaking colony in Central America!
Bright white, royal blue, and fire-engine red? No, this isn’t the red-white-and-blue of America you’d expect in July—it’s the patriotic colors of a vibrant Belize Independence Day Celebration in September!
It’s the colors of the Belize national flag, recognizable with horizontal stripes of red, dark blue, and then red again, incorporating a national coat of arms in front of a white sphere. In fact, the complex Belize flag is the only country flag in the world with a human being depicted on it.
Found at the center of the flag, 25 green leaves encircle a coat of arms with two men on both sides of Belize’s national tree, a Mahogany: a Mestizo man carrying an axe to honor Belize’s early days as a timber outpost while a Black man carries a paddle in homage to the importance of the coast.
“Under the shade, I flourish,” lists the national motto Sub Umbra Floreo beneath the coat of arms—a Latin interpretation that rings of Belize and Belizeans, especially 42 years post-independence. But first, some Belize independence history.
On September 21, 1981, after centuries as a British colony, Belize gained full independence from the United Kingdom. Prior to independence, Belize had been a British Crown colony since 1862, changing its name to Belize from British Honduras in June 1973; being colonized by Great Britain is also the reason why Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. As a proud member of the British Commonwealth—recognizing King Charles III as Head of State, represented by Belizean governor-general Froyla Tzalam—Belize celebrates Independence all month long, despite Independence Day being September 21!
Every year, the Belize National Celebrations Commission holds a nationwide contest to choose a theme for Belize’s Independence Day celebrations in September. Announced in June 2023 after scouring over 230 submissions from Belizeans across the country, the Belize September celebrations 2023 theme for the sovereign nation’s 42nd Independence Day is, “Hope Ignited, Hands United, Vision Renewed: Belize at 42!” Expect to see this Belize September Celebrations 2023 Theme splashed across Independence Day events all month long!
If you’re visiting this month, here are eight events in Belize in September 2023 for the month-long celebrations!
With a talented lineup of Belizean artists, DJs, and bands, Sir Barry Bowen’s Belikin Bash is the kick-off to the Belize September celebrations 2023! Traditionally one of the biggest events of the celebrations calendar, the giant two-day concert held in Belize City is held during the first weekend of September by Bowen & Bowen in celebration of its parent Belize Brewing Company’s founder, Sir Barry M. Bowen, KCMG. Once celebrated under the name of Belikin Fest, the rebranded event is an homage to the bottling magnate and entrepreneur who played a major role in Belize’s industrial history and development. In 2023, Sir Barry Bowen’s Belikin Bash will be held in Belize City on September 1st and 2nd.
A traditional precursor on the day of Carnival, which literally translates to "break day,” equals thousands of partygoers hitting the streets before dawn for an early morning fête! Expect to get a little messy with paint, powder, and even chocolate while marching (and dancing) behind music trucks on a predetermined route. Pronounced ju-vay, Belize adopted this tradition from the French Afro-Creole’s Canboulay, believed to have its foundation in Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival history. In 2023, Belize J’ouvert will be held in Belize City on September 9th.
It may not be to the scale of Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval or Trinidad and Tobago’s two-day Carnival, but the Belize City Carnival Road March is how the small Central American country honors its Caribbean cultural influence! Colorful floats, brilliant layers of feathers and beads in extravagant yet sexy costumes, and massive speakers blasting from trucks for a road march through the streets of Belize City. Masqueraders chip along to punta and soca music while onlookers might hop in with revelers to offer a dance, too. Moving from southside Belize over a pre-arranged route, starting from the Belize City Civic Center and ending on Marine Parade, the party continues into the night at BTL Park. In 2023, the Belize Carnival Road March will be held in Belize City on September 9th.
An underrated, family-friendly event, the Fire Engine Parade in Belize City also doubles as a public participatory bike parade. As the Nаtіоnаl Fіrе Ѕеrvісе, Роlісе, ВЕRТ Аmbulаnсе Ѕеrvісе, and others lead the way in Belize City on a pre-arranged route, the parade рауѕ tribute tо thе wоrk оf unіfоrmеd ѕеrvісеѕ оn а dаіlу bаѕіѕ.Typically starting at 7 p.m., the 2023 Fire Engine Parade in Belize City will be held in Belize City on September 8th, awarding the Best Dressed Bicycle with Lights in three categories.
Commemorating one of Belize’s most important historical events, St. George’s Caye Day is held annually on September 10th in respect to the 1798 Battle of St. George’s, when British forces repelled a Spanish invasion of Belize. Across the country, ceremonies full of pomp and circumstance in front of government officials are held at Memorial Park in Belize City, Independence Hill in Belmopan, and an understated act on the island of St. George’s. Typically, a colorful citizens’ parade follows around noon back on the mainland.
On September 21, 2023, Belize will officially celebrate 42 years of proud independence from Great Britain. School-aged children and adults filled with civic pride join local parades and marches that take place throughout the country in large and small towns alike. Similar to St. George’s Caye Day, Belize City holds its own with formal ceremonies and parades throughout the afternoon and evening.
Encouraging Belizeans to shop locally, the Belize Expo Market Place is held annually in Belize City as the largest consumer trade show in the country and a welcomed addition to the September celebrations calendar. The two-day Belize Expo Market Place 2023 will be held in Belize City on September 16th and 17th at the Marion Jones Sports Complex.
Although Belize City boasts its own road march, the Orange Walk Carnival has carved a name for itself in recent years as a well-organized and colorful carnival held on Independence Day! Revelers start the day with their own Suga City J'ouvert ahead of the main event; “Suga City” in Northern Belize pays keen attention to detail with signature one-of-a-kind costumes on display in this high-energy Carnival—a true spectacle of Belize’s cultural diversity. The 2023 Orange Walk Carnival will be held in Orange Walk Town on September 21st, from.
Steel Pan music lovers, this one is for you! Held seaside at the House of Culture in downtown Belize City, this lively outdoor steelpan concert features the best bands of Belize for a night of Caribbean culture with a Belizean twist. With drinks, food, and plenty of dancing, the 2023 Pan Yaad will be held in Belize City on September 16th with tickets available now.
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Yes, Belize in September is a ton of fun, making September a good month to visit Belize! Although it overlaps with the slow season for tourism and hurricane season, there are plenty of events to join the patriotic fun as Belizeans celebrate with civic pride. Plus, low season rates can help sweeten the deal further!
On behalf of the staff and management of Duty & Tax Free Ltd, Happy Belize Independence Day to all Belizeans! Whether you celebrate with a bottle of Belizean rum picked up in a Duty & Tax Free Ltd branch or by simply hip-hip-hooray-ing from the sidelines of a Belize Independence Day parade, have a great one!
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