With less than a week to go before the start of one of Belize’s biggest festival weekends, music lovers all over have their sights set on the island of Ambergris Caye. The third-ever Belize International Music and Food Festival (or BIMFF 3.0, for short) kicks off this Saturday, July 27th, in San Pedro Town. Planning to attend? Here’s what you need to know.
The Two-Day Music Festival to Add to Your Summer Itinerary
From carnivals to food and music festivals, the countries of the Caribbean know how to throw a summer party, and Belize is no exception. The Belize International Music and Food Festival is an annual event that sees some of the region’s biggest hitmakers perform over the course of one electric weekend. Though this year’s lineup is a lot more condensed than previous years, concertgoers can still expect to be treated to performances by some of the biggest heavy hitters of the Caribbean and Latin American music world. The two-day weekend will feature a concert as well as a food market and a day party.
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On day one, reggae meets dancehall and brokdong with performances by cultural icons like Collie Buddz. Hailing from Bermuda, the reggae artist has captivated audiences across the Caribbean – and the globe – with songs like “Come Around”, “Mamacita”, “Blind to You”, and most recently, “Love & Reggae”.
Accompanying Buddz as headliners are Jamaican dancehall sensations Shenseea, who has previously performed in Belize, and Valiant as well as Belize’s very own Brithney Starr. Those attending can also expect to be treated to the musical stylings of the Belize Brokdong Roots Combo and the Paranda Soul Combo, an amalgam of some of the country’s top musical performers.
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Day two is for the soca fans with musical legends, Bunji Garlin, Faye Ann Lyons, and Kerwin Du Bois all set to make an appearance. Expect a wide range of carnival favorites, both new and old, like Garlin’s 2023 hit “Carnival Contract”, his 2019 collab with Lyons, “Bus a Wine”, and classics like Du Bois’ “Touchdown”.
The massive day party, which will take place from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, will also feature beloved Latin music sensation Prince Royce. Royce is known for his unique musical style which fuses traditional Bachata with other genres like pop and R&B. Also slated to perform is the Belize Punta Rock Legends Combo, which features renowned icons like Pen Cayetano and Titiman Flores.
Kick Start Your Belize International Music and Food Festival Weekend With an Island Party
Photo by Bananas on the Beach
Looking for somewhere to pregame before the concert? Head to Bananas on the Beach for some pre-festival poolside fun. This beachside resort will be hosting a music festival kickoff party from 11 AM to 4 PM. Take advantage of the cocktail bar and enjoy some beach BBQ while grooving to the musical stylings of DJs like Mista Flava.
Learn more about the Belize International Music and Food Festival on the official concert website.
All photos courtesy of the Belize International Music and Food Festival and the Belize Tourism Board unless captioned otherwise.
