Themed to “savor the rhythm,” the major outdoor 2-day Belize International Music and Food Festival (BIMFF) showcases both musical and culinary talents found regionally, internationally, and locally—and it’s coming to Belize City this summer! From reggae and soca to classic Belizean street foods like well-loved tacos and barbeque, this second annual event is set to please plenty of palates come Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, only at the Marian Jones Sporting Complex. From the rum-toting songs of Trinidadian soca to the punta rock (a variation of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity awarded to Garifuna culture), festival travel to Belize guarantees good ol’ fashioned Caribbean fête’n. Take a bite out of the new experience by basing yourself in Belize City with the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza, booking your flight to Belize, and putting your Google Alerts on for the announcement of BIMFF’s headliners!
About The 1st Annual Belize Music and Food Festival
Koffee performs at the Belize International Music and Food Fest 2022. Photo by the BTB
The BIMFF 2022. Photo by the Belize Tourism Board
A powerhouse lineup of DJs, bands, and artists hit the stage, which included heavy hitters like Jamaican Grammy Award-winning Koffee, Timaya from Nigeria, and even Barrington Levy alongside soca stars Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, and Ricardo Drue. Yas Thalia, Stig da Artist, Denise Castillo, and J Cas represented the Jewel, while Colombian band Sonora Dinamita represented the region as crowds swayed to the sounds of cumbia.
The Belize International Music & Food Festival 2022. Photo by the BTB.
After all, you probably don’t need an excuse to plan a Caribbean vacation, but the chance to see your favorite musicians performing would definitely be an added bonus. As the first time the music festival sets up its stage at the outdoor Saca Chispas Field venue, 16 Belizean artists and 10 international artists headline to perform throughout the weekend to massive, dance-loving crowds. In fact, the 1st Annual BIMFF set the record for the event with the most artists on a stage ever held in the country. Not to mention, it was affordable: general admission in 2022 started at US$20 per person, per day.
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- Jyoto Sushi Bar at the Belize International Music and Food Festival. Photo courtesy Jyoto.
But let’s not forget the food. Ushering in a whole new experience, food vendor tents lined the perimeter with street eats and ethnic food, covering a wide range of Belize’s melting pot of culture. Vegans and vegetarians didn’t go hungry at the festival either: Several even featured plant-based dishes—think donuts, beans panades, and even tofu ramen.
Where To Stay in Belize City For The Festival: Biltmore Plaza
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- Enjoy outdoor dining at the Biltmore Bistro
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- Biltmore
Efficiency is the name of the game. At only about 15 minutes away from the international airport, staying at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza means you’re close to the heart of the Belize City fest action but quiet enough to decompress tired feet after. Besides, post-festival recovery has never been better than poolside. Outfitted with a restaurant, terrace, pool bar, gym, gift shop, and spa, there’s plenty to entertain yourself on the in-between days of tours. There’s a total of 90 rooms ranging all the way up to suites, making your summer base even more comfortable. After two days of chipping and dancing, you’ll be glad you chose the Biltmore in Belize City!
BIMFF images via the Belize Tourism Board. All others captioned.
