This is a list of public holidays in Belize.
Date | Day | Observance | Observance rule | Explanatory note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 January | New Year's Day | fixed at 1 January (see Note 1) | |||
15 January | George Price Day | 15 January (see Note 2) | This day was established in 2021 to commemorate Belize's only premier and first Prime Minister, George Cadle Price. | ||
Monday | George Price Day (in lieu of) | see Note 2 | |||
9 March | National Heroes & Benefactors Day | 9 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] | ||
Monday | National Heroes and Benefactors Day (in lieu of) | see Note 2 | |||
Friday | Good Friday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) | Crucifixion of Jesus | ||
Saturday | Holy Saturday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) | |||
Sunday | Easter | fixed by church calendar (moveable) | Resurrection of Jesus | ||
Monday | Easter Monday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) | |||
1 May | Labour Day | fixed at May 1 (see Note 1) | Also called International Workers' Day | ||
Monday | Labour Day (in lieu of) | see Note 1 | |||
1 August | fixed at 1 August (see Note 1) | ||||
Monday | Emancipation Day (in lieu of) | see Note 1 | |||
24 May | 24 May (see Note 2) | Formerly Sovereign's Day; honors the monarch's birthday | |||
Monday | Commonwealth Day (in lieu of) | see Note 1 | |||
10 September | Saint 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 September | Independence Day | fixed at 21 September (see Note 1) | "British Honduras" became "Belize" in 1973 and was granted independence by Great Britain in 1981.[3] | ||
Monday | Independence Day (in lieu of) | see Note 1 | |||
12 October | Pan America Day | 12 October (see Note 2) | Formerly called Columbus Day | ||
Monday | Pan America Day (in lieu of) | See Note 2 | |||
19 November | Garifuna Settlement Day | fixed 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 December | Christmas Day | fixed at 25 December (see Note 1) | Birth of Jesus | ||
26 December | Boxing Day | fixed 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] | ||
Monday | Boxing Day (in lieu of) | see Note 1 |