Why Belize’s Carnival Road March is a Highlight During the September Celebrations

Get ready to groove and dance in the eagerly-awaited Belize Carnival! September is an eventful month, with several concerts, parades, pageants, and the sought-after Carnival Road March. Dating to 1975, the carnival in Belize originated from five women interested in adding pizzazz to the St. George’s Caye Day parade with their children. They became the founders of the first carnival band in Belize, Belize Women for Cultural Preservation. Since then, the event has evolved into a stand-alone spectacle, usually on the first weekend of September.

The Belize Carnival Road March is gradually boosting momentum after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The country’s largest carnival, The Belize City Carnival Road March, happens on September 9, 2023, dazzling the streets with vibrant floats, pulsating rhythms, and gyrating revellers! Get swept away in the whirlwind of colours, music, and infectious energy for one of the biggest extravaganzas during Belize’s September Celebrations.

A Kaleidoscope of Costumes

Belize’s Carnivals are a true testament to artistic expression. The costumes are more than just attire; they are masterpieces that tell stories and are an outlet for cultural expression. Watch-spirited dancers adorned in elaborate headpieces, feathered wings, and sequined ensembles that sparkle under the radiating sun. Each band has its unique theme, with costumes ranging from traditional representations of Belizean heritage to modern interpretations that push creative boundaries.

Carnival Across the Nation

Belize Carnival fever spreads across the country. The fete reaches a crescendo with carnivals in Corozal on September 16 and Caye Caulker, San Pedro, Placencia, and Orange Walk on Independence Day, September 21. The principal streets come alive with hypnotic beats, dancing feet, and a profound sense of unity that transcends boundaries. A celebration of independence and culture that resonates deeply with locals and visitors.

Pre-Carnival Activities

If you find yourself in Belize during September, several events will take place leading up to the Belize Carnival Road March on September 9! Check out the highly-embellished costumes at the Carnival King and Queen Competition at the Belize Civic Center on September 2, starting at 5 p.m. Competing bands display their most dominant costume, which will headline each group come carnival day.

Following this eventful night, judges will visit Mas Camps for each band during the week to view the intricacies of all the costumes that will be out on carnival day. Afterwards, get dirty as party-goers start the day at 4 a.m. on September 9 for the Carnival J’ouvert! From coloured clay, paint, and chocolate, whine to soca and calypso in the morning to pre-game for the road march later!

Belize’s Carnival Road March activates that dancing bone inside your body as it is irresistible to bust a move. Travellers visit from across the world to participate in the Belizean bacchanal. Families eagerly look out for their friends and loved ones in their shimmering costumes to see them in action. Join the festivities and dance like there’s no tomorrow on your Belize vacation!

Banner Photo Credit: JC Cuellar Media / Row Credit: JC Cuellar Media (blue & gold, red & blue costume), Ash Belize