# Public holidays in Belize

This is a list of public holidays in Belize.

## Public holidays

| Date | Day | Observance | Observance rule |
| 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. |
| 9 March | National Heroes and 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. |
| Good Friday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) | Crucifixion of Jesus |
| Holy Saturday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) |
| Easter Monday | fixed by church calendar (moveable) |
| 1 May | Labour Day | fixed at May 1 (see Note 1) | Also called International Workers' Day |
| 1 August | Emancipation Day | fixed at 1 August (see Note 1) |
| 10 September | Saint George's Caye 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. |
| 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. |
| 12 October | Pan America Day | 12 October (see Note 2) | Formerly called Columbus Day |
| 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. |
| 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. |
* (*) Moveable holidays
* (**) Replacement days:
** Note 1 – Chapter 289 of the laws of Belize states that if the holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the bank and public holiday.
** Note 2 – Chapter 289 of the laws of Belize states that if the holiday falls on a Sunday or a Friday, the following Monday is observed as the bank and public holiday; further, if the holiday falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, the preceding Monday is observed as the bank and public holiday.

## Variable holidays

* 2020
** 9 March, Monday: National Heroes and Benefactors Day
** 10 April, Friday: Good Friday
** 11 April, Saturday: Holy Saturday
** 13 April, Monday: Easter Monday
** 25 May, Monday: Commonwealth Day
** 28 December, Monday: Boxing Day Holiday
* 2021
** 2 April, Friday: Good Friday
** 3 April, Saturday: Holy Saturday
** 5 April, Monday: Easter Monday
** 24 May, Monday: Commonwealth Day
** 11 October, Monday: Pan America Day
** 27 December, Monday: Boxing Day Holiday
* 2022
** 7 March, Monday: National Heroes and Benefactors Day
** 15 April, Friday: Good Friday
** 16 April, Saturday: Holy Saturday
** 18 April, Monday: Easter Monday
** 2 May Monday: Labour Day Holiday
** 23 May, Monday: Commonwealth Day
** 10 October, Monday: Pan America Day
* 2023
** 2 January, Monday: New Year Holiday
** 6 March, Monday: National Heroes and Benefactors Day
** 7 April, Friday: Good Friday
** 8 April, Saturday: Holy Saturday
** 10 April, Monday: Easter Monday
** 29 May, Monday: Sovereign's Day
** 11 September, Monday: Saint George's Caye Holiday
** 9 October, Monday: Pan America Day
** 20 November, Monday: Garifuna Settlement Holiday