Public holidays in Belize explained

This is a list of public holidays in Belize.

Public holidays

DateDayObservanceObservance ruleExplanatory note
1 JanuaryNew Year's Dayfixed at 1 January (see Note 1)
15 JanuaryGeorge Price Day15 January (see Note 2)This day was established in 2021 to commemorate Belize's only premier and first Prime Minister, George Cadle Price.
MondayGeorge Price Day (in lieu of)see Note 2
9 MarchNational Heroes & Benefactors Day9 March (see Note 2)This day was originally designated "Baron Bliss Day" to honor a wealthy Englishman who left his fortune to the former British Honduras.[1]
MondayNational Heroes and Benefactors Day (in lieu of)see Note 2
FridayGood Fridayfixed by church calendar (moveable)Crucifixion of Jesus
SaturdayHoly Saturdayfixed by church calendar (moveable)
SundayEasterfixed by church calendar (moveable)Resurrection of Jesus
MondayEaster Mondayfixed by church calendar (moveable)
1 MayLabour Dayfixed at May 1 (see Note 1)Also called International Workers' Day
MondayLabour Day (in lieu of)see Note 1
1 Augustfixed at 1 August (see Note 1)
MondayEmancipation Day (in lieu of)see Note 1
24 May24 May (see Note 2)Formerly Sovereign's Day; honors the monarch's birthday
MondayCommonwealth Day (in lieu of)see Note 1
10 SeptemberSaint George's Caye Day (or National Day)fixed at 10 September (see Note 1)The Battle of St. George's Caye was a key battle involving British colonists, freed slaves who worked as lumber cutters, and pirates who fought against the Spanish Empire in 1798. There is an annual regatta in San Pedro Town.[2]
21 SeptemberIndependence Dayfixed at 21 September (see Note 1)"British Honduras" became "Belize" in 1973 and was granted independence by Great Britain in 1981.[3]
MondayIndependence Day (in lieu of)see Note 1
12 OctoberPan America Day12 October (see Note 2)Formerly called Columbus Day
MondayPan America Day (in lieu of)See Note 2
19 NovemberGarifuna Settlement Dayfixed at 19 November (see Note 1)Since 1941, this holiday has honoured the Garifuna people, a group of mixed-race people with African and Carib roots.[4]
25 DecemberChristmas Dayfixed at 25 December (see Note 1)Birth of Jesus
26 DecemberBoxing Dayfixed at 26 December (see Note 1)This is a day set aside for charitable works, although many people participate in sports or go shopping.[5]
MondayBoxing Day (in lieu of)see Note 1

Variable holidays

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Heroes and Benefactors Day 2021, 2022 and 2023 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  2. Web site: Saint George's Caye Day 2020, 2021 and 2022 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  3. Web site: Independence Day 2020, 2021 and 2022 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  4. Web site: Garifuna Settlement Day 2020, 2021 and 2022 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  5. Web site: Learn the True Story of How Boxing Day Gets Its Name . The Spruce . September 15, 2020 . en.
  6. Web site: Belize Public Holidays 2020 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  7. Web site: Belize Public Holidays 2021 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  8. Web site: Belize Public Holidays 2022 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.
  9. Web site: Belize Public Holidays 2023 . PublicHolidays.bz . September 15, 2020.